The Lamar register., 1908-07-29

trust law under existing rulings OF the
supreme court has given rise to sugxeA-
ton for Its necessary amendment to
prevent its applications to cases which
II IL believed were never in the contem-
plation of the trainers of the statute
Take two instances: A merchant or man
ufacturer engaged In a legitimate busi-
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
strike to secure better wages. At com
mon law this was not restraint of trade
or co., commerce or violation Of the rights
case ought to be made violation of the
ANTITRUST law. My own impression is
that the supreme court would hold that
neither of these Instances are within
ITS inhibition. but II they are to be so
regarded general legislation amending
the law Is necessary.
Democratic Plank Discussed.
THE suggestion of the Democratic
platform that trusts be ended by for
bidding corporations to hold more than
manufacture is made without regard to
the possibility of enforcement the
real evil in trusts. a corporation con
may by well known methods frequently
effect monopoly and stamp out compe-
tition in any part OF the country as com
thereof
Proper Treatment Of Trusts.
,"unlawaai trusts should be re-
junctive process and the persons en-
gagged in maintaining them should be
punished with all the severity of erin
inal prosecution. in order that methods
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 n result liz wholly un-
necessary to the accomplishment of the
needed reform. and will infict 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
pendent upon protective system OF
tariffs The business done by many of
the soiealled trusts is protected with
The Democratic platform proposes to
take off the tarim in all articles com
ing into competition with those pro-
duccd by the so-called trusts and to
put them on the free list II such
course would be utterly destructive Of
their business as II Is. indeed, II would
not only destroy the trusts. but all of
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 IL is in the punish
ment of the guilty. while our policy
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
mcnt and prosperity, there COMES imam.
depression, This was brought about
not only by the enormous expansion
ments which could not be readily con-
verified. but also by the waste of cap
tai in ss.raraEanGs Of living In wars fras
convertible capital was exhausted. In
addition to this. the confidence of the
lending public in Europe. and in this
trust. over issae OF stock, valuations of
tional supervision in management OF
our, largest corporations. Investors
mained available. 1t became impossible
for the soundcst railroads and other
enterprises to borrow money enough
for new construction and reconstruc-
ton.
Restoration Of Prosperity.
Gradually business Is acquiring n
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
again. in order that our unemployed
may become employed, and In order
that has blessed us for ten years. The
identity Of the Interest OF the capital
Of the farmer the business man ana
the wage Garner in the security ana
profit of investments cannot be TOO
largely emphasized. submit to
those most Interested, to wage earners,
TO farmers and to business men. wheth-
er the Introduction into power OF the
Democratic party, win MT bryan at
IT,. Kkrlt ha n
struction that 1t openly advocates as
a. remedy for present eyils. VII bring
about the needed confidence Tor the
restoration OF prosperity,
The Republican doctrine OF protec-
ton. az definitely announced by the
Republican convention this year ana
by previous conventions. Is that a tarin
shall be imposed on all imported prod
ucts whether of the factory. farm or
mine. sufficiently great TO equal the
difference between the cost OF produc-
tion abroad and at home. and that ms
difference between the higher wages
paid in this country. and the WAGES
paid abroad. and embrace a reasonable
profit to the American production
Advantage of Unions.
ITO give to employees their proper po-
sitfon in such "A controversy to enable
them to maintain themselves against
employers having great caplttai, ' n.y. may y
strength and without 1t each Individual
laborer and employe would be helpless,
through The instrrmentality OF the trade
agreement Is often one OF the results OF
such union when intelligently conducted
''There Is n large body OF laborers.
however. skilled and unskilled, VINO are
not organized into unions. Ther rights
before the law 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 Tor
changed terms of employment workmen
have the right to strike In body, They
have n right to use such persuasion as
they may, provided 1t does not reach
the point of duress. to lead their reluc-
tam co-Iaborers to join them IN their
union against their employer and they
have n right. If they choose, TO aecumu-
late funds to support those engaged In
a strike to delegate to officers the pow.
err to direct the act OF the union, and
to withdraw themselves and their as
snciates from dealings with. or giving
custom to. those with whom they are
in controversy.
What Labor Cannot Do.
..Vhst they have not the right to do
is- To iniure their employers property. TO
in iitre their employers business by use
~ threats or methods of physical duress
against those who would work for him
or deal with him or by carrying on what
IL sometimes known as a secondary BOY
colt against his customers or those win
whom he deals in business. All those
who syfnDathiZe with them may unite