The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-12-06

existence OF winch IS on the HuOlt
Of benefit to the public.
A combination should not be tole-
rated if it abuse the power acquired
by combination to the public detri-
ment. No corporation or association
of any kind should be permitted to
engage in foreign or interstate com
merce that is formed for the purpose
of, or whose operations create, a mo-
nopoly or general control Of the pro-
duction, sale or DISRUPTION of any
duction, sale or distribution of any
one or more of the prime necessities
of life or articles of general use and
necessity. Such combinations are
against public policy; they violate
the common law; the doors of the
courts are closed to those who are
parties to them, and / believe the
Congress can close the channels Of
interstate commerce against them for
its protection. The law should make
its prohibitions and permissions as
clear and definite as possible, leaving
the least possible room for arbitra-
ny action, or allegation Of such ac-
ton, on the part of the Executive, or
Of divergent interpretations by the
courts
Pure-Food Law.
Incidentally, in the passage of the
pure-food law the action Of the var
ious state food and dairy commits
sioners showed in striking fashion
how much good for the whole peo-
pie results from the hearty coopera-
ton Of the Federal and State Off
ciais in securing a given reform.
In my message to Congress a year
ago | spoke as follows Of the cur
reuey:
Currency.
~ especially call youl attention to
tie condition OF our currency laws.
The national-bank act has ably serv-
ed great purpose in aiding the
enormous business development OF
the country, and within ten years
there has been an increase i'll circu.
lation per capita from $2141 to
$35 g. For several years evidence
has been accommodating that addition
oil legislation is needed The recur.
rcace Of Gael crop season emphaslzei
the dere; Is. of the present laws There
loust soon be a revision OF them, be-
cause to iraNe them as they ara
means TO itu1 liability Of business
disaster Snce your body adjourned
there has bccn a lluctuation i'll tho
Interest OH call money from , pei
cent to so per cent, and the fiuctua-
ton was even greater during the pre-.
ceeding SIX months. The Secretary
Of The Treasury had to step in and b..
wise action put a stop 10 the most
violent period Of oscillation
! do not l1ess any especial plan
Various plans have recently been
proposed by expert committees
of bankers Among the plans which
are possibly feasible and which GER
taiuIy should receive your considera-
ton is thai repeatedly brought to
your attention by the present Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, the essential
features Of wnicn have been appro-
we'd by many prominent bankers and
business men. According to this plan
national banks should be permitted
to issue a specified proportion of
then capital in notes Of a given kind,
the issue to be taxed at so high a
rate as to drive the notes back when
not wanted in legitimate trade. This
plan would not permit the issue Of
currency to give banks additional
profits, but to meet the emergency
presented by times of stringency.
Enforcement of the Law
A few years ago there was loud
complaint that the law could not be
invoked against wealthy offenders.
There is no such complaint now The
course of the Department of Justice
during the last few years has been
such as to make it evident that no
man stands above the law, that no
corporation is so wealthy that it can
not be held to account.
Injunctions.
Instances of abuse in the granting
of injunetions in labor disputes con
tinue to occur and the resentment in
the minds of those who feel that
their rights are being invaded and
their liberty of action and of speech
continue to grow Much of the at
tack on the use of the process of in
Junction is wholly without warrant !;
but | am constrained to express the
helief ihat for some of il there is