Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-25

Gov. Albert B. Cumnins, in his inaug-
bral address January 10, 1902:
II IS eminently appropriate upon this
occasion to review some of the duties OF
citizenship, to re-eXamine some OF the
questions which engage the public mind,
and to again resolve to promote with our
utmost endeavor the cause of good gov
eminent The experience of the world
establishes beyond controversy that moth
ing is more helpful in the solution Of the
problems of states and nations than con-
slant discussion OF the plans suggested
for the reform and betterment OF the rules
of society. 1t Is unfortunately as common
as it is unpatriotic, to sneer at the idea
of reform and to deride the reformer; but
the sneers and derision proceed either
from a corrupt heart or an unthinlSing
mind. Reform and betterment in laws are
as essential to the advance of the republic
0s is the growth of its industrial life.
The Doctrine of Reform.
l therefore make no apology for the be-
lief that many of the questions propound-
ed to as by the evolution of the time have
not been adequately answered. On the
other hand, he who predicates his demand
for change upon the hypothesis that what
we have is wholly bad and proposes 70
overthrow rather than gradual APP
proach toward higher efficiency in gov
eminent, is a superficial agitatOr, who
dooms himself to defeat by ignoring the
fundamental law of mankind. The true
friend of progress recognizes that what
we have is good, but perceivcs that we
may have better. He sees life and energy
take on, from time to time, new forms
and phases; and he knows that govern
ment, to be just and effective, must adapt
atself to the changing relations of men
and the varying tendencies of the age.
die understands that this generation has
eomething more to DO than to glOrify
the past and enjoy the fruits of its VIC
tories.
Industrial Combinations.
The rapid accumulation of wealth and
Its unparalleled concentration were the
distinguishing characteristics of the last
decade OF the nineteenth century. These
characteristics have prOpoundel a new in
curry for government investigation.
The subject has, by common con-
sent, received name which, though once
appropriate, is now altogether ulsIeau-
ing. Commercial combinations and indus
trial trusts have provoked much thought
which, as yet, has produced little result.
Originally they were, as the names imply.
concerts of Independent companies acting
through agreements controlling the bust
ness Of the several constituent parts In
that sense they have substantially disap-
peared, and there have been substituted
for them interpretations that have become
the absolute owners OF the property and
business affected by them. l shall not
pause to inquire whether these vast in.
corporations are wise or unwise. The cx-
function Of the Independent trader, mer.
chant and manufacturer may ultimately
impair the standard of manhood so essen
tal to free institutions.
A DepIorabIe Tendency.
If this shall be it's effect, we may de-
plore the tendency; but If It be wholly
overcome, il will not be through the pro-
perceptible warning which changes the
currents of the world and teaches hu-
mainly to avoid approaching danger. I
do not believe that the government can
safely deny the right of association under
established forms; nor am l ready to
concede that industrial organizations,
however large their capital or cXIenGed
their operation, II competition remains,
constitute a menace to the prosperity and
welfare of the people. The motive which
underlies the sO-called trusts and COM
binations is apparent: 1t Is the ordinary
selfish desire to make money, coupled
with the belief that II can be more read
ily surely and largely made in that man
ner than by any other. do not Criu-
else the motive; for 1t is the handspring
OF material progress, and to eliminate 1t
would be to paralyze the arm of industry
fatal alike to ambition and Improvement
Destruction Of Competition.
The most manifest evil of these tremen-
dous aggregatiOns Is their effect upon
competition. Competition is the para
mount law Of industrial life. 1t may. and
very often does destroy; but in my iudg-
ment it must exist in full vigor if we do
not desire the government to assume the
power Oh liking the prices OF lnuuStTl ii
products It must be clear that if SIN
gle corporation owned and controlled all
the transportation facilities of the United
states II would be absolutely necessary
for the government to prescribe and en-
force the rates for transportation service:
II is equally clear that If a single cOrpOr-
alton controlled the manufacture of the
important commodities required by mod
ern life, and the monopoly was likely to
be long continued, 1t would be necessary
Tor the government to fix the price at
which such commodities should be sold
1t cannot be successfully denied that ev-
cry consolidation, even though it does not
draw in all the products in which It deals
narrows the field of competition There
may be sharp and effective competition
with two competitors; 1t is, however, not
60 likely with a greater number.
The Direction of Reform.
I have mentioned these things, not to
indicate that l think there is a perfect
remedy within our reach, for much must
DE RENTED TO the natural laws of indiVid-
ual enterprise; but rather to point out the
lines along which interference is not only
permissible but demanded. First, the
motive to organize such corporate
natural desire 10 make profit from the
business in which the corporation Is to
engage. Ny observation leads me to be-
lieve that many of the large Industrial
combinations would not have been pro-
posed or affected had It not been for the
knowledge that the promoters or organ
1zers could make stupendOus fortunes in
the mere operation of consolidation. 1t