Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-25
Spirit of Resolutions Adopted
at Chicago
By THE CIVIC FEDERATION
Sequel to Discussion Of Trusts and
Combinations.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE
Asks the Appointment of
National Non-Partisan Com
mission to Consider Questions.

CHICAGO, October 25.-Today's sessions
of the National Civic Federation were
given over to f1ve-minute talks by Dusi-
ness men, who discussed the various
topics introduced by speakers during the
last three days.
The committee on resolutions presented
its report, as follows:
After twenty years of federal legisla-
ton. as interpreted by the court, directed
against the evils of trusts and combina-
tions, and against railroad rebates, be-
ginning with the interstate commerce act
of 1887 and the antitrust act of 1890,
general and just conviction exists that
the experience gained in enforcing these
federal acts and others succeeding them
demonstrates the necessity Of legislation
which shall render more secure the bene-
fits already gained and better meet the
changed conditions which have arisen
during a long period of active progress,
both in the enforcement of statute law
and in the removal of grave abuses in
the management Of railroads and corpora
tions. These change now demanded are:
F'irst-Immediate legislation is required,
following the recommendation of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and the interstate COM
merce commission, permitting agreements
between railroad corporations on reason
able freight and passenger rates, sub
ject in all respects to the approval and
supervision and action of the interstate
commerce commission.
Sherman Act Beneficial.
Second-The enforcement of the Sher-
man act and the proceedings under it
during the administrations of Presidents
Harrison, Cleveland, Mckinley and Roose-
welt have accomplished great national re-
suits in awakening the moral sense of
the American people and in asserting the
supremacy and majesty of the law, thus
effectGally refuting the impression that
great wealth and large corporations were
too powerful for the impartial execution
of law.
This great advance has rendered more
secure all property rights, resting, as they
must, under popular government, on
universal respect for and obedience to
law. But now that this work is accom-
plished, 1t has revealed the necessity for
legislation which shall maintain all that
the Sherman act was intended to secure
and safeguard interests 1t was never ex-
pected tc affect.
AS the next step in executing the de-
termination of the American people to
secure in all Industrial and commercial
relations justice and equality of oppor-
tunity for all, with full sympathy and
loyal support for every effort to enforce
the laws in the past, we urge upon Con-
gress without delay to pass legislation
providing for a non-partisan commission
in which the interests Of capital of la
Dor and of the general public shall be
represented.
For a National Commission.
This commission. like similar commits
sion, which proved most successful In
Germany in 1870. shall consider the en-
tire subject of business and Industrial
combinations. and report such proposals
as to the formation, capitalization, man
agement and regulation OF corporations
ESQ far as the same may be subject to
federal jurisdictton) as shall preserve in
divtdual initiative. competition and the
free exercise of a free contract in ali
business and Industrial relations. ANY
proposed legislation should also include
modification of the prohibition now exist
ing upon combinations on the following
subjects:
/. National and local organizations of
lahor and their trade agreements with