The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-11
KANSAS CONNENT
PUBLICITY AS A CURE.

CeueTdl supervision OF Corporations
ana publicity are strongly urged In the
report of Herbert Knox Smith. COM
missioner of corporations, as the cure
for many evils. Mr.. Smith is full of
assurance that the corrective power
of public opinion is potent to stop the
corporate practices that have created
predatory wealth. and he informs the
public, through the head of his depart
ment, that the supervision he contem-
plates will not interfere with any
states rights.
Mr.. Smith is not the originator of
the theory that publicity is the best
corrective of corporate abuses. If our
memory serves us right, one John d.
Rockefeller and one John d. Archbold
urged that cure before the Industrial
commission at Washington nearly ten
years ago. This, however, does not
detract from the wisdom of Mr..
Smiths suggestion. if he has verified
the dictum by experiment. He has.
during his brief service in the bureau
or corporations, given wide publicity
to the business affairs of the other
gentlemen named in this connection
three volumes. we believe-with
doubtful results. President Roosevelt,
at least, does not appear to be con-
WINGED that the reform is complete
vide the message of last Friday
and while Mr.. Archbold, on the fol-
lowing day, vouched for the benevolent
character of his corporation he also
declared federal charters would be
necessary to exercise the business
devil completely. Thus, in the .ace for
publicity and federal supervision. MT.
Archbold appears to be q lap ahead
Of Mr.. Smith.-Pittsbu burg Dispatch.
FREE GOVERNMENT
England is almost as vociferous as
the United States in the matter OF
Wanting her free institutions, and
pointing with pride to the superior
1 a ri In he. fro 81 orfx ffxv
and fraternity which are done up in
dust-proof packages and placed In
her show window.
1t Is thrilling shibboleth, this OLD
cry of freedom.
Yet the English authorities are
sentences, for the heinous crime of
asking that they be given the privi-
leges enjoyed by men. They have of
necessity. resorted to various tricks
and devices to make themselves
heard, but it is not on record that
they have violated any laws. But
they go to Jail just the same, for in
sisting upon hearing.
In view Of such a twentieth GEN.
fury fact. isn't 1t about time for Eng
land to inaugurate a bargain sale of
few Of her palladiums and bulwarks
of liberty and such junk ?-Emporia
Gazette.
THE DAYTON CASE.
The National Cash Register is man.
ufactured at Dayton, Ohio, and the
manufacturing company employs an
army of men. OF course the company
does the town a vast amount of good,
but are its officers popular? They do
not seem to be. Some Of the papers
there are always picking at the Of
f1cers of the National Cash Register
company. One Dayton paper has
been fighting the company for years,
in the most vicious fashion. j. H.
Patterson, president of the company.
is a useful and worthy citizen, yet he
is fought by Dayton papers as though
he were a fiend. There does not seem
to be anything against, j. H. Patter-
son, except that he Is respectable.
prosperous and Intelligent. yet these
qualities inf1ame some people as much
as red flag inf1arnes bull. All over
the world you will find men who are
hated criticised, and abused unjust
1y for other cause than they are
| Industrious, worthy and successful
Atchison Globe.