Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-06

These problems can De dctuaIIy met In
most cases only by the states them
selves, but the lack OF proper legisla-
ton In one state In such a matter as
child labor often rendeis it excessive
" dimcult to establish protective re-
striction upon the wofk In another
state having the same industries, SO
that the worst tends to drag down the
better. For this reason It would be
well for the nation at least to endeavor
to secure comprehensive Information as
to the conditions OF labor OF children in
the different states. Such Investigation
and publication by the national gov
eminent would tend toward the secur-
ing Of approximately uniform legisla-
ton Of the proper character among the
several states
Corporations.
When we come to deal with great
corporations the need for the govern
ment to act directly is far greater than
in the case Of labor. because great cor
poratiOns can become such only by en-
gaging in interstate commerce, and In
terstate commerce Is peculiarly the
field Of the general government. It
Is an absurdity to expect to eliminate
the abuses in great corporations by
state action. 1t Is difficult to be pa
tent with an argument that such mat
tiers should be left to the states. be-
cause more than one state pursues the
policy Of creating ON easy terms cor
porations which are never operated
within that state at all, but In other
states whose laws they ignore. The
national government alone can deal
Adequately with these great corpora
lions. To try to deal with them in an
incorporate, destructive or demagogic
spirit would in all probability mean
that nothing whatever would be &C
complished and with absolute certain
ty that If anything were accomplish
ed it would he Of a harmful nature.
The American people need to continue
to show the very qualities that they
have shown-that is, moderation, good
sense, the earnest desire to avoid do
ing any damage and yet the quiet de-
without halt and without hurry, in
eliminating or at least In minimizing
whatever Of mischief or OF evil there
IL to interstate commerce In the con-
duct Of great corporations. They are
acting In no spirit Of hostility to
wealth, either individual or corporate.
They are not against the rich man any
more than against the poor man. On
the contrary, they are friendly alike
toward rich man and toward poor man.
provided only that each acts In a spirit
of justice and decency toward his fel-
lows. Great corporations are neces-
sary, and only men OF great and singu-
lar mental power can manage such
successfully. and such
men must have great rewards. But
these corporations should be managed
with due regard to the interest Of the
public as a whole. Where this can be
done under the present laws 1t must
be done Where these laws come short
others should be enacted to supple
ment them.
Yet we must never forget the de-
factor In every kind of work,
Of head or hand, must be the mans
own good sense. courage and kindh-
ness. More important than any legis-
lation Is the gradual growth of feel
ing Of responsibility and forbearance
among capitalists and wageworkers
alike-a feeling Of respect on the part
Of each man for the rights Of others, q
feeling Of broad community Of inter-
est, not merely Of capitalists among
themselves and Of wageworkers among
but Of capitalists and
wageworkers in their relations to each
other and Il both In their relations to
their fellows who with them make up
the body polite. There are many cap
tains OF INDUSTRY. many labor leaders,
who realize this. A recent speech by
the president Of one Of our great rail-
road systems to the employees Of that
system contains sound common sense.
1t runs in part as follows:
1T n my belief we can better serve
each other. better understand the man
as well as his business, when meeting
face to face. exchanging views and
realizing from personal contact we
serve but one interest, that Of our mu-
tual prosperity.
SERIOUS misunderstanding cannot
occur where personal good will exists
and opportunity for personal explana-
ton Is present
I'm my early business life had ex-
perience with men Of affairs OF char
acter to make me desire to avoid Gre
ating a like feeling Of resentment to
myself and the interests in my charge
should fortune ever place me In author
ity, and am solicitous Of q measure
Of confidence on the part Of the public
and our employees that shall hope
may be warranted by the fairness and
good fellowship 1 intend shall prevail
in our relationship.
But do not feel I am disposed to
grant unreasonable requests. spend the
money OF our company unnecessarily
or without value received nor expect
the days Of mistakes are disappearing
or that cause for complaint will not
occur Simply to correct
such abuses as may De discovered, 70
better conditions as fast as reasonably
may be expected, constantly striving.
with varying success. for that improve
oil