The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-09-12
BRYAN ON TRUSTS
.DISpELS IDEA THAT HE IS ENE-
nv OF INDUSTRY,
Democratic Candidate Logically Out
Lines His Policy for Regulation Of
Big Corporations-PIan Both
Definite and Practical.

In fulfillment Of his plan Of elab.
orating and interpreting the various
planks of the Democratic platform,
Mr.. Bryan chose the trust question
for his subject at the Kern notifica-
ton proceedings at Indianapolis. 1t
is n of the o elusive of themes,
as it is one Of the most veXatiOus of
problems. Mr.. Bryan succeeded in
dispelling the idea that he is the en-
envy of industry or the friend of cen
tralization.
AS was the case at Des Moines,
where he handled the tariff question,
Mr.. Bryan had again the tremendous
advantage of no embarrassing al
liances, understandings or connections
with the forces for whose control and
regulation he, argued. He left the
Democratic remedies for trust evils
nor clearly understood and as log
ically placed as is possible without
practical test.
His definition Of a trust as a "cor-
poration which controls so large a
proportion of the total quantity Of
any article used in this country as to
be able to regulate the price and
terms of sale" is probably as good as
any of the others, even if made to fit
the platform d. claration. 1t was also
made clear that the fixing of rs per
cent. of the output of an article as the
proportion Of control which snakes
nnnnrrory fl~ ~ 80
arbitrary proceeding and so per cent.
as h forbidden point beyond which
control may not pass was equally ar
bitrary. To deny the correctness of
these figures is merely one way of
avoiding discussion of the correctness
of the principle involved. For pur-
poses of illustration. IS and 40 per
cent, or 80 and GO per cent, would
be as good. 1t is an insignificant
matter.
The point is that where the extent
OF a business passes a certain line it
ceases to be a matter Of private con
Germ; it becomes a matter of public
concern for the very simple reason
that the interests of the public are
paramount. Beyond this point, what
it is, there must be federal reg
ulation and supervision. Beyond an
other point ever such regulation and
supervision promises no protection
against the power and financial
strength involved. Government itself
may be smaller than the corporation
which would control more than so per
cent. of some commodities.
Mr.. Taft's idea of to in
process, when necessary.
may be in greater harmony with legal
than the fixing by law of ar
lines, but it leaves openings
large. Experience with the eff
cacy Of the %injunctive process has not +
been satisfying, and Mr.. RoOsevelt's
experience in trying to free his party
from trust domination is fruitful In
Indications pointing to failure of the
Taft remedy.
With Mr.. Bryan's calculation of
-hese points. as, the basis of the Dem
program for trust regulation,
remainder is a matter of detail,
designed to contribute to the attain
nent Of the one end-namely, the re-
Of the benefits that come from
he perfecting Of organization and
economies under combination without
seriously impairing competition or
,urtailing those equal opportunities es-
to the development of individu-
VI,
Compared to the vague and decep-
i've demand Of the Republicans for
more laws" and the amendment of
laws" the Democratic plan
las the merit of being definite and APP
iarently both practical and practical
lie. 1t certainly would insure uni
of treatment and admit the
of no favorites.-St. Louis Re