River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-07-30

trust Jaw under existing rulings of the
supreme court has given rise to sugges-
uon for its necessary amendment to
prevent its applications to cases which
it is believed were never in the contem-
plation of the trainers of the statute.
Take two Instances: A merchant or man
ufacturer engaged in legitimate BUSH
ness that covers certain states, wishes
to sell his business and his good will,
and so in the terms of the sale obligates
himself to the purchaser not to go into
the same business in those states Such
a restraint of trade has always been en-
forced at common law. Again the en-
ployes OF an interstate railway combine
and enter upon peaceable and lawful
strike to secure better wages. At COM
mon law this was not a restraint of trade
or commerce or a violation of the rights
of the company or of the public. Neither
case ought to be made a violation of the
antitrust law. My own impression is
mat the supreme court would hold tnat
its inhibition, but if they are to be so
regarded, general legislation amending
the law is necessary.
Democratic Plank Discussed.
THE suggestion of the Democratic
bidding corporations to hold more than
90 per cent. of the plant in any line of
manufacture is made without regard TO
the possibility of enforcement or the
trolling 45 or so per cent. of the products
may by we'll known methods frequently
effect monopoly ana stamp out cOInpS-
tition in any part of the country as COM
thereof.
Proper Treatment of Trusts.
Unlawful trusts should be re-
strained with all the efficiency of in
gagged in maintaining them should be
punished with all the severity of Grim
pursued in the operation of their bust
ness shall be brought within the law.
To destroy them and to eliminate the
wealth they represent from the pro-.
ducing capital of the country would
entail enormous loss, and would throw
out of employment myriads of work.
ingmen. Such a result is wholly un-
necessary TO the accomplishment of the
needed reform, and will infiict upon the
innocent far greater punishment than
upon the guilty.
"The Democratic platform does not
propose to destroy the plan of the trust
physically, but it proposes to do the
same thing in different way. The
business of this country is largely de-
pendent upon a protective system of
| tariffs. The business done by many of
the so-called trusts is protected with
The Democratic platform proposes to
take off the tariff in all articles COM
ing into competition with those pro-
duced by the So-called trusts and to
put them on the free list. If such
course would be utterly destructive of
their business as it is, indeed, it would
-,
their smaller competitors.
Effect of Democratic Policies.
ITO take the course suggested by
the Democratic platform in these mat
tiers is to invoke the entire commu-
nifty, innocent as it is, in the punish
is to stamp out the specific evil.
This difference between the policies
of the two great parties is of special
Importance, in view of the present con-
dition of business. After the years of
the most remarkable material develop
ment and prosperity, there comes finan-
depression. This was brought about
not only by the enormous expansion
of business plants and business invest
ments which could not be readily con-
ital in extravaganza of living, in wars,
and other catastrophes. The free
addition to this, the confidence of the
lending public in Europe and in this
country had been affected by the rev.
Citations of irregularity, breach of
law and lack of rigid state or ma
tional supervision in management of
Withheld what loanabIe capital re
manned available, it became impossible
for the soundest railroads and other
enterprises to borrow money enough
for new construction and recOnStruc-
ton.
Restoration of Prosperity.
Gradually business is acquiring, a
healthier tone. Gradually wealth,
which was boarded, is coming out to
be used Confidence in security of bust
ness investments is a plant of slow
growth and is absolutely necessary in
order that our factories may all open
again, in order that our unemployed
may become employed, and in order
that we may again have the prosperity
that has blessed us for ten years. The
identity of the interest of the capital
of the farmer, the business man and
the wage Garner in the security and
profit of Investments cannot be too
largely emphasized. l submit to
those most interested, to wage earners,
to farmers and to business men, wheth-
err the introduction into power OF the
Democratic party, with Mr.. Bryan at
it's head, and with the business con-
struction that it openly advocates as
a remedy for present evils, will bring
about the needed confidence for the
restoration of prosperity.
The Republican doctrine OF protec-
tion as definitely announced by the
Republican convention this year, and
by previous conventions. is that a tariff
shall be imposed on all imported prod
ucts, whether of the factory, farm or
difference between the cost of produc-
ton abroad and at home, and that this
difference should, of course, include the
difference between the higher wages
paid abroad, and embrace a reasonable
profit to the American production.
Advantage of Unions.
ITO give to employees their proper po-
sition in such a controversy to enable
them to maintain themselves against
employers having great capital, they may
well unite, because in union there is
strength and without it each individual
laborer and employe would Ii+ be helpless ans
through the instrumentality OF the trade
agreement is often one of the results OF
such union when intelligently conducted.
There is a large body of laborers,
however, skilled and unskilled. who are
not organized into unions. Their rights
before the law are exactly the same as
those of the union men, and are to be
protected with the same care and watch
I'm order to induce their employer into
a compliance with their request for
changed terms of employment workmen
have the right to strike in body. They
they may, provided it does not reach
the point of duress, to lead their reluc-
tant co-laborers to join them in their
union against their employer and they
have a right if they choose, to accumu-
late funds to support those engaged in
a strike to delegate to officers the pow
err to direct the action of the union, and
to withdraw themselves and their as
sociates from dealings with, or giving
custom to. those with whom they are
in controversy.
What Labor Cannot Do.
What they have not the right to 90
is to iniure their employers property, to
inil1re their employers business by use
of threats or methods of physical duress
against those who would work Tor MIN
or deal with him or by carrying on what
is sometimes known as secondary boy
colt AGAINST his customers or those with
whom he deals in business. All those
who sympathize with them may unite