Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-12-14

step, without halt and without hurry, In
eliminating or at least in minimizing what
ever of mischief or of evil there is to inter
state commerce in the conduct of great cor
porationS. They are acting in no spirit of
hostility to wealth, either individual or cor
porate 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 spirit Of justice and
decency toward his fellows. Great corpora
lions are necessary, and only men of great
and singular mental power can manage such
corporations successfully, and such men
must have great rewards. But these cor
pOrations should be managed with due re-
gard to the interest of the public as a
whole. Where this can be done under the
present laws it must be done. Where these
laws come short others should be enacted to
supplement them.
Yet we must never forget the determining
factor in every kind of work, of head or
hand, must be the mans own good sense,
courage, and kindliness. More important
than any Is the gradual fgr66Wth
ance among capitalists and wage-workers
alike; a feeling of respect on the part Of
each man for the rights of others; feel
ing of broad community Of interest, not
merely of capitalists among themselves,
and of wage workers among themselves, but
Of capitalists and wage-workers in their
relations TO each other, and of both in their
relations to their fellows who with them
make up the body polite. There are many
captains OF industry, many labor leaders,
president Of one of our great railroad sys>
TENS to the employees of that system con-
tains sound common sense. 1t runs In part
as follows
"'It is my belief we can better serve each
other, better understand the man as well
as bis business, when meeting face to face
exchanging views, and realizing from per
sOnal contact we serve but one interest,"
that of our mutual prosperity.
Serious misunderstanding can not occur
where personal good will exists and oppof-
fY1Y1I txvf rJpynn Hon, is mt
"In my early business life l had expert
ence with men Of affairs OF q character to
make me desire to avoid creating q like
feeling Of resentment to myself and the in
terests in my charge, should fortune ever
place me i'll authority, and l am solcltous
of a measure of confidence on the part OF
hope may be warranted by the fairness and
good Fellowship 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 cons
plant Will not continually occur; simply TO
correct such abuses as may be discovered
TO better conditions as fast reasonably
may be expected, constantly striving with
al desire, to convince you there is force
at work in the right direction, all the time
making progress-is the disposition with
Wnlch i, have come among you, asking your
good Will and encouragement.
Lee day has gone by when corporation
can be handled successfully in defiance OF
the public will, even though that will be
unreasonable and wrong. A public may be
led, but not driven, and 1 prefer to go with
1t and shape or modify in measure, its
opinion, rather than be swept from my
bearings, with loss to myself and the in
terests in my charge.
violent prejudice exists towards corporate
ACTIVITY and capital today, much of 1t found
ed IN reason, more in apprehension, and a
mo iS 70 ~ ttS
OF arbitrary, unreasonable, incompetent
and offensive men In positions of authority
Inc accomplishment or results by indirec-
tIon the endeavor to thwart the intention,
II not the expressed letter of the law the
VIII or the Deople), a disregard Of the
rights Of others. a disposition to withhold
inactivity result not justified, depending
upon the weakness OF the claimant and his
lndlsp0sltion to become involved in litiga-
ZION, mas created a sentiment harmful in
the extreme and a disposition to consider
anythlng fair that gives gain to the In
olTldual at the expense of the company.
II corporations are to continue to do the
words work, as they are best fitted to,
these qualities in their representatives that
nave resulted In the present prejudice
against them must be relegated to the back
GROUND. The corporations must come out
into the open and see and be seen. They
must take the public into their confidence
ana ask for what they want and no NOR,
what advantage will accure to the public if
they are given their desires; for they are
permitted to exist not that they may make
money solely but that they may effectively
serve those from whom they derive their
power.
Publicity, and not secrecy, will win here
after, and laws be construed by their intent
ana not by their letter, otherwise public
utlntles will be owned and operated by the
public which created them, even though the
service be less efficient and the result less
satisfa ctory from financial standpoint
CORPORATIONS
full preliminary investigation of many i'm
portant corporations. 1t will make speciai
report on the beef industry
BUREAU OF CORPORATIONS.
The policy Of the bureau Is to accomplish
the purposes Of Its creation by cooperation
not antagonfsm; by making constructive leg
lsiation, not destructive prosecution, the i'm
mediate object Of its inquiries; by con-
serVatave investigation Of law and fact, and