The Oskaloosa herald., 1906-10-25


Gov Albert B. Cummins. in his inaug-
ural address January 1G, 1902:
1t 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
ernment. 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-
stant discussion of the plans suggested
for the reform and betterment of the rules
of society. 1t is unfortunately as common
as 1t Is unpatriotic, to sneer at the idea
OF reform and to deride the reformer; but
the sneers and derision proceed either
from q corrupt heart or an unthinking
mind Reform and betterment in laws are
as essential to the advance of the republic
as is the growth of it's Industrial life.
The Doctrine of Reform.
therefore make no apology for the be-
lief that many of the questions propound-
ed to us 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 10
overthrow rather than a gradual ap-
proach toward higher efficiency in gov
ernment is a superficial agitator, who
dooms himself to defeat by ignoring the
fundamental law of mankind. The true
progress recognizes JIaI WldG
we have is good, but perceives 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
itself to the changing relations of men
and the varying tendencies of the age.
He understands that this generation has
something 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
Quiry for government investigation.
The subject has, by common con-
sent, received a name which, though once
appropriate, is now altogether nus.edd-
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 busi-
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 eX- |
dnction Of the Independent trader mer |
chant and manufacturer may ultimately !
ua1 to free institutions.
A DepIorable Tendency.
II this shall be its effect, we may de-
plore the tendency; but If It be wholly
overcome, it will not be through the pro-
hibition Of government, but by that i'm
perceptLble warning which changes the
currents Of the world and teaches hu-
manity to avoid approaching danger. I |
do not believe that the government can ,
safely deny the right of association under |
established formsi nor am ready to
concede that Industrial organizations, |
however large their capital or extended !
their operation, If competition remains, |
constitute menace to the prosperity and |
welfare OF the people. The motive which |
underlies the so-called trusts and COM
oinationS Is apparent: 1t is the ordinary |
selfish desire to make money, coupled !
with the belief that 1t can be more read !
ner than by any other. l do not criti- .
else the motive; for it is the handspring
OF material progress, and to eliminate it
would be to paralyze the arm of industry |
Iatal alike to ambition and Improvement. /
go 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 judg- /
ment It must exist in full vigor If we do
not desire the government to assume the
power of fixing the prices of industrial
products. 1t must be clear that If a sin
gle corporation owned and controlled all /
the transportation facilities of the United +,
States it would be absolutely necessary
Tor the government to prescribe and en-
force the rates for transportation service: .
1t 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
for the government to fix the price at
which such commodities should be sold, |
1t cannot be successfully denied that ev-
cry consolidation, even though 1t 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; II is, however, not
so likely with a greater number.
The Direction of Reform.
have mentioned these things, not to
indicate that l think there Is a perfect
remedy within our reach, for much must
be remitted to the natural laws Of indlvid- |
ual enterprise; but rather to point out the
lines along which Interference is not only
permissible, but demanded First the
motive to organize such corporations
could be, and should be, limited to the
natural desire to make profit from the
business in which the corporation is to
neve that many of the large Industrial
combinations would not have been pro-
posed or affected had 1t not been for the
knowledge that the promoters or organ
Izers could make stupendous fortunes in
the mere operation of consolidation. 1t