The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-10-28
STUDY COMPANIES
National Civic Federation Asks
naming OF Commission.

business men, who discussed the vari-
ous topics introduced by the various
speakers during the last three days.
The committee on RESOLUTIONS In
ita report says:
tAfter 90 years Of federal leRisla-
tioD, directed against the evils Of
trusts and combinations and against
carload rebates, general aud just
conviction exists that the experiences
gained In enforcing these federal acts
and others succeeding them, demon.
stratea the necessity Of legislation
whioh shall render more secure the
benefits already gained and better
meet the changed conditions, both Ia
the enforcement uf statute and In re-
moyai of grave abuses In the manage
ment Of railroads and corporations.
''Flrat-- Immediate legislation IL
required, perm itting agreements be-
tween railroad corporations on reason.
able freight and passenger rates, sub
Ject In all respects to tho approval.
supervision and action OF the inter.
state commerce commission.
''Second--In the enforcement Of
che Sherman act, the noccessity IL re-
vealsd for legislation which shall
maintain all that the Sherman act
was intended 20 secure and safeguard
interests II was never expected to
Affect. We urge upon congress,
without delay, TO pass legislation
providing for q nonpartlEan commits
sion, In which the interests OF capt
tai, Of labor, and Of the genreal pub.
lie shall be- represented.
CONSIDER PROBLEM.
"Tbls commission shall consider
the entire subject OF business and In
duatrial combinations and report
such proposals ~ 10 the formation,
capitalization, management aud regu
lation 81 corporations as shall pre-
serve individual Initiative, competi
tion, and the free exercises on free
contract 10 all business and Undue
trial relations. Any proposed legis-
lation should also include moditica-
Ions az the prohibition nov existing
upon combinations on the following
SUBJECTS;
~. National and local Inveatiga.
ton Of labor and lts agreements with
employers relating to wages, hours,
Of labor and condition of employ
mont.
''2.-Aasooiations made up Of
farmers, Intended to secure a stable
and equltble market for the products
81 the soil free from fluctuations due
70 speculation.
SO. -Eluslness and industrial
agreements or eomblntions whose OBJ
iacts are 10 the public interest and
are distinguished from objects deter
mined 10 ho contrary to the public
Interest,
~. -auch commission should
make = thorough inquiry into the nd.
Visibility Of iEauguratlng a system OF
federal inQulriea or Inspection as a
condition for the entrance OF ceI-
tain classes 1T corporations upon In.
teFstato commerce, and also into the
relation to public interest Of the pur-
chase By one corpoIation OF the fran.
chisea or corporate storck uf another.
''un each Of these subjects the con.
ference recognizes differences between
good men. On all II asks a national.
nonpaFtiRan commission TO be ap-
pointed next winter 10 consider the
question and report at the second
session of the approaching congress,
for such action as national legisla-
tuFe. IN the light Of this full investl.
cation, may enact.
INDUSTRIAL TRUSTS.
'sfhird--The examination, In.
spection and supervision OF great
producing and manufacturing cor
porations. already begun by the de-
paFtment Of commerce aud labor, aud
accepted by these corpol ations,
should BE- enlarged BY legislation re-
qnlFing. through the appropriate
BUREAUS u the department Of com.
meFce and labor complete publicity
Ia the capitalization, transportation
charges paid and selling prices Of ell
such producing and manufacturing
corporations, whose operations are
large enough 60 have monopolistlc
Influence. This should be determ.
tined and decided BY some rule aud
classification 10 be Devised By the
commission already proposed.
s'FouFth-rhe conflict between the
state and federal authorities rising Ia
many states over railroad rates being
now under adjudication and under
say to flual and ultimate decision
BY the fsdaral supreme court. this
conference deems the expression of
any opinion on these Issues unfit
ing, aud confidently leaves this great
Issue TO : tribunal which for us