The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-07-31

The sale obligates himself to the pur-
chaser not to go into the same bust
ness in those States. Such restraint
Of trade has always been enforced at
common law. Again, the employees of
an interstate railway combine and en-
ter upon peaceable and lawful strike
to secure better wages. At common
law this was not 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 viola
ton of the antitrust law. My own
impression is that the Supreme Court
would hold that neither of these in
stances is within its inhibition, but, if
they are to be so regarded, general leg
islation amending the law is necessary.
The proposal to compel every cor
poration to sell its commodities at the
same price the country over, allowing
for transportation, is utterly imprac-
ticable. If it can be shown that in or
der to drive out competition, corpo-
ration owning large part of the plant
producing an article is selling in one
part of the country, where it has COM
petitors, at a low and improbable
price, and in another part Of the coun-
try, where it has none, at an exorbi-
tant price, this is evidence that 1t is at
tempting an unlawful monopoly, and
justifes conviction under the antitrust
law; but the proposal to supervise the
business of corporations in such a way
as to fix the price of commodities and
compel the sale at such price is as alb
surd and socialistic q plank as was
ever inserted in q Democratic political
platform.
Advantage of Combination of Capital.
The combination of capital in large
plants to manufacture goods with the
greatest economy is just as necessary
as the assembling of the parts of q
machine to the economical and more
rapid manufacture of what in old
times was made by hand. The Gov
eminent should not interfere with one
any more than the other.
What 10 an Unlawful Trust?
When, however, such combinations
are not based on any economic prin-
ciple. but are made merely for the pur-
pose of controlling the market, to
maintain or raise prices, restrict output
and drive out competitors, the public
derives no benefit and we have mo-
ropoiy. 1t Is important, therefore,
that such large aggregations Of cap
sol Iaft eIN 1,4
irolled so that the public may have
The advantage of reasonable prices
and that the avenues of enterprise
may he kept open to the individual and
the smaller corporation wishing to en-
gage In business.
Many enterprises have been organ
lied on the theory that mere aggrega-
ton of all, or nearly all, existing plants
in a line Of manufacture, without re-
gard to economy of production, de-
stroys competition. They have, most
Of them. gone into bankruptcy. Com
petition in a profitable business will
not be affected by the mere aggrega-
ton of many existing plants under one
company, unless the company thereby
effects great economy, the benefit Of
which it shares with the public, or
takes some illegal method to avoid
competition and to perpetuate hold
on the business.
Proper Treatment Of Trusts.
Unlawful trusts should be restrained
with all the efficiency OF injunctivc
process, and the persons engaged IN
maintaining them should be punished
with all the severity of criminal pros
ecution, in order that the methods pur-
sued In the operation Of their business
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
inrmen and workingwomen. Such a