The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-09-06

NEW NORk, Sept, o-~ifas the Ma
tional Conference on Trusts and Combi-
nations which is to be held in Chicago In
October viii create unusual interest al
ready is apparent. Scores Of letters from
men prominent in the various pursuits
have been received by tho National Civic
Federation, under whose auspices the
conference Is TO be held. Almost with
out exception the expressions Of the
writer's are highly eommendatory AMI
the opinion that great good will result
from the exchange Of IDEAS appears to
be general Among those who have
written in this vein are the Rev. DR..
Lyman Abbott. d. d., editor Of The Out
look; Samuel Gompcrs, president Of the
American Federation Of Labor; Richard
Watson Glider, editor Of The Century;
John Mitchell, president of the United
Mine Workers Of America; Judge Peter
G. Grosscup Of Chicago, Bishop Henry
c, Potter; Charles'G. Dawes, the Chicago
banker; John NJ Stahl. president Of the
Farmers National Congress and Nahum
J Bachelor, grand master Of the Ma.
tional Grange.
| DIR, Abbott in his letter voices the
sentiment which runs through all the
communications when no says "This Is
time when we need light, not heat"
Nearly all the writers believe that the
greatest good will come from the wide
publicity which will be given the trust
question as a result Of open discussion
by the leaders Of thought who will take
Part in the conference. ut seems TO me
fundamentally true writes DR.. Abbott,
"that the interests OF the railroads, the
shippers and the general public are es.
sentially one, and that II IN Of the
utmost Importance that men represent
ing all these classes should get together.
compare views and endeaycr to come to
some agreement as to the general prin.
eiples by which these common interests
can be best served Mr. Glider believes
that "Ths talk will help to bring calmn-
ness and GOODNESS to the public mind,
and Heaven knows II needs them"
Judge Grosscup says that II is full
time that the corporations (which have
grown up as developments OF our bust.
ness life without much reference to their
relation TO the people as institutions Of,
cnd for, the people, be looked into as
institutions OF, and for. the people"
Bishop Potter believes that by "bring
ing the whole subject Of the adminstra.
tion Of corporations into the light we
may be assisted by the best intelligence
of the land" in clearing up subject
concerning which there is so much ig-
norance and SO much curious misappre
tension"
That the conference will be produce
tive OF much good in that II will allow
all.sides to meet and freely express their
opinion on what he regards as one OF
the greatest subjects the country has to
deal with, Is the opinion Of President
Gompers John Mitchell also sees much
possible good in open and free discus
sion. Mr.. Dawes regards the calling of
the conference at this time as highly
useful piece Of work. He believes that
the Industrial problems confronting the
country today demand consideration by
the best brains OF the nation. The ques-
tions to be discussed at the conference
are declared by President Stahl of the
Farmers Congress to be "the most i'm
portant pressing for solution before our
people today"
Grand Master Bachelor believes it is
time "for serious people to discuss the
trust problem when President Roosevelt
and the law officer Of the government,
whose duty it is to enforce the Sherman
Antitrust Act, openly say that under
il the business Of the country cannot
be done today without violating it."