The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-18
Policy of Paternallsm.

character is quite another
Policy of Paternalism.
Il am only pointing out that If the gov
eminent in it's regulation of common car
rlers, shall go beyond the point of cor
recting Illegal wel-defined abuses and I'M
just discrimination. it may unintention-
ally, possibly unconselously, be entering
upon a policy Of governmental paternal-
ism, from which retreat will be difficult
II not impossible.
May not the corporate manufacturer
or the corporate merchant be confront
ing, In the near future. the same problem
with which the carriers have been brought
face to face, namely suggested addition
al legislation on the plea that existing
legislation has not accomplished its pur-
pose? If So II the precedent is estab-
lished that a commission shall make rates
for the railways. may not the equally
illogical and harmful step follow that the
government shall make prices for the
manufacturer and the merchant?
1.-THE remedy for corporate evils lies not
In suppression nor in undue governmental
regulation nor in governmental control.
Suppression by statute has been tried,
and has failed. Governmental regulation
beyond the limits of correcting Irregular
tiles and abuses, means paternailsm
which will sap not only the energies ana
initiative OF the 1nulNluuair Dul mum ie
tard the development of the country, and
may possibly threaten the foundations
upon which free government Is based.
Benefit of Corporate Activity.
'rhe remedy lies in an intelligent and
thorough recognition of the benefits to be
derived from large corporate instead oil
small individual ACTIVITY; 1t lies in throw
ing the searchlght of public knowledge
and public scrutiny upon all corporate
action and methods which can, by illegal
abuses and determinations, inlet INJURY
and Injustice upon others OF equal rights
/, lies in wise and judicous laws In re-
sneet To the formation of corporations,
the amount and character Of their capital
lzaton and the scope OF their corporate
powers, and in a system of governmental
supervision and inspection which can sue
cessfully detect and punish all infractions
of the law
at lies not in the restriction of the
earning power or the profits of corpora
tions thus formed Or thus supervised. The
profits of corporations, legitimately or
eanized, and legally and honestly con
Quoted, should be no more restricted by
governmental action than the prohts OF
the individual engaged IN similar pur-
suits.
"ITnder such conditions, and they are
easily attainable, the wellmanaged cor
poration has great usefulness for the
good of the individual citizen and OF the
entire country, and in it there is no men
ace to the structure of our free institu-
TONS"
Resolutions Are important.
The resolution adopted endorsed the
"open shop" as embodyng the true spirit
of American liberty; deprecated, the
crimes and outrages ON personal liberty
daily occurring" during the Chicago
transfers strike. commended the utter
ances of President Roosevelt when he
declared that the state Is back of the
city and the nation back or the state,
and commencing the position taken by
Chicago citizens regarding the strike;
Called upon the department of COM
merce and labor to make investigation
,into the laws of other countries which
have preferential duties and demanding
that Congress and the President act
quickly to protect our markets from the
rising tide Of discrimination. and:
Commend the work of the merchant
marine commission and approved the
passage of a bill for the upbuilding of
American shipping in foreign trade.
The presentation of the resolutions WAS
favored by immediate adoption without
debate, but the reading of the resolu-
tlon calling upon the isthmian canal conf
mission to use exclusively in the construc-
ton of the canal American made goods,
excepting Sncn RDOuS III dit Hot pio-
duced in this country. aroused the most
spirited discussion of the convention thus
far.
Entertained by Barbecue.
The visitors were entertained at Geor- !
gia barbecue during the early part of the /
afternoon and the convention assembled !
later In the day, when committee reports |
were received and discussed.
James A. Emory of San Francisco deliv- |
cred a strong address upon the necessity /
of organization by employers to meet the |
abuses Of power by organized labor
The following resolution of considerable |
interest 10 newspapers and other pub !
Fishers was passed by the convention this
evening"
whereas. The International Typo |
graphical union has indicated that It's !
me n bers will on January /, 1906. demand
of their employers throughout the coun-
try the establishment of an eight-hour
work day dnstead of nine hours as now
without proportionate adjustment of !
wages paid coupled with the statement