New-York tribune., 1908-04-11
SCIENCE CONVENTION
Prominent Men address Political
Academy in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, April 10.-The scope and limits or
governmental control over industry and corporate
management the general topics being discussed
at the annual meeting of the American Academy
of Political and Social Science which began III
Witherspoon Hall here to-day and viii close to-
( morrow night. Men prominent in their various
walks of life here to attend the meeting
The first session opened this afternoon. brief
address made by Professor Leo s Rowe, OF
the University of Pennsylvania who is president
of the academy. DIR. Rowe introduced Marcus III.
/ Marks, president OF the National Association of
Clothters. who presided and delivered address.
Business effects OF antitrust legislation dis
cussed during the session and speeches were made
by William j. Schieffelin of New York vice-presi-
dent Of the National Association of Wholesale Drug
gists; Isidor Straus of New York president of the
educational Alliance; President Gompers OF the
American Federation o; Labor, James NJ. Beck, of
New York; United States Labor Commmissioner
Neil; George L. Duval, OF New York, and TheO-
dOre Marburg of Maryland.
Inc relation OF tho government and the public
to corporate development was discussed tonight
United States Senator Elkins of West Virginia.
presided, and Judge Grosscup of the United States
court chicago delivered the annual address
III MS speech this afternoon Mr.. SchieffeIin re-
hearsed the conditions under which the so-called
urus trust was formed and the effects of the
"ppncauon OF the anti-p ,st law. He said in part:
The wholesale drug trade formed an association
nrcss ytd[s ago TO end the runous competition in
druggists formed a national association to nrotSct
iieHseVes against the price cutting practised by
ne large department stores. At the request of
stfSt associations the manufacturers fixed whole
prices Tor their goods. and paid the jObber or
@ distributor a rebate therefrom on the condition
h ,haI the latter would not sell below that price
~ III lurh only to sell to the retailers who would
"sIee not To cut the retail price of the goods The
piactS were never advanced beyond the retail price
1880 Asd on the goods by the proprietors and the
Joohers obtained only a reasonable prOnt, which
htIt'd them usually per cent
ne mistake was made by the retailers in en-
ueaNoIihS 10 make the plan include all kinds of
S'nEIdI goods, so that aggressive price cutter
Nou'u not De able to obtain supplies. TINS
was only put In force in a few localities, but 4S
- Hdu the appearance Of ATTEMPT at tyranny
tn't dlu or the government invoked. and an
iJuhcon was secured, forbidding any Co-opera tion
OetWeen the three branches of the trade
IN tlls case the antitrust law was used To TrO-
!tCt tne rev against the many. because nearly all
tne Wholesale and retail drug dealers. some three
hundred OF the former and fOrty-two thousand OF
Ihe latter were enjCtned from making price agree
inentS. ftS. In fact practically the entire trade
he.d up because the number of druggists who had
nov signed the contracts small a $ 10 be
almost negligible
Unless this law is amended as TO permit rea-
SonaoIe agreements. which benefcent To COM
inerce ana do not conflict with the public welfare
IN any way the business OF this country will con-
uhue 10 DC at disadvantage. The law now
appned acts as one of the greatest restraints OF
trade. although It was intended prevent re-
straint OF trade