Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1903-01-29
asnhl2s1t 0~nerShip OF Rail
kvauS. BY HENJ.G.WELCh.
kvuuS.

SOIIlI1llSSlOH pTONeu tne cOTreCtneoS
of our theory in reference to the in
tent to merge the controlling inter-
ests in the railroads south of the Po-
tomac and Ohio and east of the Mis-
sissippi. 1t is only question of
avoiding violations of constitutional
law and no law has ever been made
that cannot be evaded.
Not only so but the careful reader
of the daily press has noticed that
Wall Street is discussing the terms
of some sort of absorption of the
New York Central by the Penna. r.
r. which is probably all street talk
as yet but simply indicates the trend
of such matters.
1t has also come to pass that a res
olution has been introduced in Con-
gress to further an investigation of
the legal powers of the gov ernmen
to take control of coal mines and
coal-carrying railroads: So the Item
Is not so wild in opening its columns
as might at first have been supposed.
Mr.. Wharton Barker of Philadel-
paia who is an acknowledged author
ity on economic questions addresses
a long open letter to the President on
the same subject. 1t is evidently in
the air. We people in Sullivan
County cannot settle it but we can
begin to think about it and feel sure
that we are not following an ig,ais-
tdttuhs either.
These articles may have seemed to
to be somewhat rambling but we
have had in mind all the time three
main conclusion and they are:-
First, Capitalization is the natur.
al drift of the worlds affairs, as we'll
in nations, governments and peoples,
as in industrial concerns. 1t cannot
be materially stayed or prevented
any more than the law of gravita-
ton or centripetal and centrifugal
forces. No legislation will stop it
for any length of time any more than
it would stop an eclipse of the moon.
Its power can be recognized and we
can adapt ourselves to it and perhaps
so far control its application as to
make it minister to the good of the
nation rather than to its injury, just
as we do any other inherent natural
force.
Second, Governmental action
may be the only way in which this
immense force can be harnessed so
as to bless the people rather than
oppress and curse. If it is it will
come to that even ifit takes an ex-
p'osion of volcanic magnitude to
demonstrate the impossibility of
shutting it up in any system of con-
tinement like prohibition of Trusts.
Third, That the government can
find way to do, and do well, any
thing that is for the good of the
people as whole. To raise the
question of making it "pay" is al
most foolish and petty. Everything
pays that the government does wise
ly and justly and nothing else does.
The money return must be measured
by the value of results, rather than
measure the value of the results by
the money return. Dreadful as was
the civil war, immense as was its
loss of life, treasure and property it
has paid and will pay as long as we
are nation. .. 1t was az part of the
scourging that will come. to us every
time that we legalize and protect a
wrong. . Any method that ;Euproots
wrong..an sets up equity and right
is good one although it may not
agree with our own ideas.
Perhaps these positions may seem
somewhat. dogmatical but at least
they will set your readers to think
ing and we take it that. such was
your object in inaugurating these
articles.
Perhaps we may start the thought
i'm unexpected channels if your pa