New-York tribune., 1910-02-05

decision In the Northern Securities case
Ren,,b,ican administrations have been
seajsine assiduously to enforce the statute.
The wisdom of seeking now, at time
when The end so long sought seems about
70 he attained, TO mitigate it's effects is
seriously questioned. especially in view of
the present temper of the people. Indeed,
we're the only sufferers those managers OF
tha great ornbinations who have brought
,hen6 into being there would be no hest
,.,io, whatever about permitting them to
taka this consequences Of their own folly
and ls,rlsxsness. according to prominent
member OF the administration, but the
anxiety that is felt Is due to the vast
number of innocent people whom 1t IS
feared f. will be impossible to save from
the dire effects of the punishment visited
on tho few
Testimony 10 the anxiety or business
men IS see some form of FEDERAL incorpo-
ration law enacted ras furnished to-day
by George ". Perkins, OF the hrm OF J. p
Morgan & Co. who said after calling on
the President: az see great zeal about
the Republican party fedeemlns Its plat
form, pledges. one of these pledges was
to pass a law for federal incorporation OF
corporations. Such Law should be passed.
IS SOIEFCeS SotifS W w
that kind would do much toward saving
important business organizations from the
dangers Of FREQUENT runors that they are
70 be proceeded against for Violating the
Sherman antitrust act" Mr.. Perkins is
mistaken, however, in saying there was
anything in the Republican platform plcdg-
ins the party to federal Incorporation.
To the determination of the Senate 70
conduct thorough, intelligent and eS-
haustive investigation of the cost Of living
there IS practically no dissenting voice.
Senator Elkins's little iflsGFrectioA Of yes
terday will doubtless result in a broadening
of the terms Of the resolution, and the in
dications point TO the adoption of the reso-
luton introduced by the Senator from West
Virginia. The Senate leaders insist that IL
has been their purpose from the first to
make the investigation as broad as pos
sible, but since Mr.. EIkns has laid so much
stress on the phra seology they arc disposed
10 make that as broad as the intent. They
realize the force of Mr.. Elkins's argument
that the public is disposed to hold the Re
publican party responsible for the enhanced
cost OF Tire necessares Of life, and they
realize the Importance of conducting an in
vestigation which will make clear the
it with ell the expedition compatible with
thorough methods. Senator Etkins points
out that the investigation by the Senate
will command greater respect than that of
the House, because there it lis being con-
ductea by the Ways and Means Committee
which framed the tariff bill. In the Senate
the investigation will be conducted by a
select committee, appointed by the Vice
President, and while II will doubtless con
tain members OF the Finance Committee, II
is prohable that IL viii also include others
The investigation of the cost Of living
contemplated by the Senate will not in
ciude hearings from a great multiplicity
OF witnesses, as has been assumed. On tho
contrary, the existing instrumental OF
the government will be utilized TO procure
the facts. The great army Of employees OF
the Department of Agriculture. for in
stance. will be used to procure and to pre-
sent in available form the facts rega riding
the prices received by the initial producers
the farmers--for their products. and to
that army may also be e6nfided the collee-
ton Of data regarding the prices al which
such products are sold by commission men.
The Department of Commerce and Lab Dor
will be used TO secure costs ot manufactur-
ing, selling, prices at the mill, TO the job
Der and to the retailer, and BY the retailer
and SO on. In this way it is believed the
information can be quickly procured and
sn analysis and report made before Con
gress adjourns. Senator Elkins, comment
ing on this subject to-day. said he was
prepared to admit that the tariff increased
son1e prices, but he believed the increases
were more than offset by the benefits re-
sultins therefrom. Senator Lodge is of the
opinion that the investigation will show
that the prices throughout the world have
Increased as a result OF the increased pro-
dlotion of gold, although he expects
number of other interesting Developments.
G. @. II.