The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-08-20

which have not tried TO graphic with the
problem In the same manner. and, OF
course. We must be as scI-dpulous 10
safeguard the rights OF the corporations
as 10 exact from them In return a full
measure Of justice TO the pubic.
] believe IN a national Incorporation
law Tor corporations engaged in inter
state business. I believe, furthermore.
That the need for action is most press
Ing as regards those corporations which.
because they are common carriers, exer-
else a quasi-public function; and which
can be completely controlled In all re-
the exercise Of the power conferred
under the interstate commerce clause.
and, II necessary. under the post road
clause Of the Constitution.
During the last few years We have
taken marked strides in advance along
the road OF proper regulation OF these
railroad corporations: but We must not
stop In the work The National Gov
eminent should exercise over them a
similar supervision and control 20 that
which II exercises over national banks
We can do this only by proceeding far
Their along the lines marked out by the
recent legislation.
In dealing with any totally new set Of
conditions. there must at the outset be
hesitation and experiment. Such has
been our experience In dealing with
enormous concentration OF capital en-
piOyed IN interstate business. Not only
the Legislatures. but the courts and
the people need gradually 10 be educated
50 mat they may see what the real
wrongs are. and what the real rene
dies Almost every big business con
Germ is engaged IN Interstate com
merce. and such a concern must not be
allowed by deXterOus shifting of posi-
zion, as has been too often the case
IN the past. 70 escape thereby all re-
sponsibility either to State or to Nation
People Firmly Convinced.
The American people became firmly
convinced OF the need or control over
these aggregatiJns OF capital, especially
where they had "A monopolistic tendency,
before they became quite clear as 10
the proper way OF achieving the con-
troll. Through their representatives in
! Congress, they tried two remedies.
which were 10 a large degree. at least
as Interpreted by the courts, contrak
dictory. On the one hand. under tbs
antitrust law. the effort was made TO
prohibit all combination. whether II was
or was not hurtful or beneficial TO the
people.
on the other hand, through the in
! terstate commerce Jaw, beginning was
made IN exercising such supervision and
control over combinations as TO prevent
/ their doing anything harmful 10 the
Z body polite. The FIRST law, the sO-called
| Sherman law, has filled a useful place.
I for Il bridges over the transition period
until the American people shall def
nitely make up It's mind that II will
exercise over the great corporations that
thOTOIgh-gOing and radical control
which IL IS certain ultimately 20 find
necessary.
ThC principle Of the Sherman law 50
far as 70 prohibits combinations which.
whether because OF their extent or Of
their character, are harmful to the pub
lie, must always be preserved
Fox More Regulation.
Ultimately. and. hope. with reason
able speed. the national Government
must pass laws which. while increasing