Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-13


the elimination of duplication, the con-
struction of bureaus and the increase
in efficiency of the individual civil
servant, shall decrease the regular
permanent cost of governmental oper-
alton.
Trust Legislation
With respect to trusts, the Republi-
can party spoke as follows in its plat
form:
1.-THE Republican party passed the
Sherman antitrust law over the DEM
ocratic opposition and enforced oit after
Democratic dereliction 1t has been a
wholesome instrument for good in the
hands of a wise and fearless admins
tration. But experience has shown
that it's effectiveness can be strength
ened and its real objects better at
tanned by such amendments as will
give to the federal government greater
supervision and control over and Sc
cure greater publicity in the manage
ment of that class of corporations en-
gagged in interstate commerce having
power and opportunity to effect monop-
| olies."
Since this plank was adopted prose-
cution of the tobacco trust and the
! Standard Oil trust begun in the last
administration. have gone on and have
! resulted in DEGREES in the court of ap-
| peals of the second and eighth circuits,
/ which are now pending on appeal In
the supreme court. The DEGREES in each
case tear apart the congeries of subor-
dinate corporations, which. united by
holding companies, make up the trust
| in each case and enjoin individuals
from further maintenance of the il
legal combination of such corporations
( to carry on the business for which 1t
was organized.
1t has been said the Republican par
! ty made a promise so to amend the
| law as to ameliorate and soften the
! application of the trust law in its in
/ terdiction upon business as conducted
by the greater corporations, but 1 find
nothing in the plaftrom to justify such
| a construction The principle of the
| antitrust law is that those engaged in
! modern business, especially of manu-
facture and transportation, shall pur-
| sue the policy with respect to their
competitors of live and let live" and
that they shall not use the business Of
their concerns to frighten exclusive
patronage from customers and the
elimination of smaller concerns from
competition and thus control output
| and fix prices.
Bill Looks Good
The attorney general has prepared
a bill which he thinks, and think, will
offer the means of easily doing So to
those who wish to pursue a lawful in
terstate business under the protection
of a federal charter, which while ir
will subject the business of the concern
to the closest scrutiny of the govern
ment officers will save the business
from harassment by state authorities
and will give it that protection which
its peaceful pursuit of it's business as
federal corporation will necessarily Sc
cure it.
This measure has met the approval
of those who fear too great concentra-
tion of power in the federal govern
ment, of those who deny the right or
the federal government in such cases TO
grant incorporation. I believe the act
to be constitutional, and 1 believe that
if enforced it would furnish a solution
of our present difficulties, but as 1t
was not specifically declared for in the
Republican platform, l do not feel jus
| titled in asking the adoption of such an
act as a party matter.
| 1 have brought 1t forward however,
| as a suggestion for meeting the diff
culties which are likely to be presented
in the prosecution of suspected illegal
trusts as a means by which they can
put their houses in order, and take
their places among those engaged in
legitimate business.
In the other measures. to when
have referred are enacted into law and
the party pledges of the Republican
party performed, there would seem to
be no good reason why the party should
not receive renewed approval by the
electors of the country in the coming
congressional campaign.
But there are signs which may con-
strue as an indication that the Repub-
lican majority in the present congress
will change to a Democratic majority
iS ho phinfiW
the dissensions In the Republican party
and upon the severe attacks made by
a great many newspapers having Re
publican tendencies upon the party and
its leaders in congress and in the ma
ton.
Looks to Majority
am glad to say that so far as the
legislation which l have indicated above
is concerned there seems to be clear
party majority in both houses in favor
of its passage and the redemption OF
the party pledges There is, however,
a decided difference as to the proper
rules to prevail in the house and as to
the senate personnel of the leadership
1t would seem as if these questions
were questions that might we'll be
solved within the party lines, but they
have been so acute as to produce what
has been called an insurrection and to
awaken the country over a cOnITO-
versy between the insurgents and the
regulars, so-called. 1 am hopeful that
as we approach the lines of battle for
the next year the settlement of these
internal questions can be effected with
out such a breach of the party as to
prevent our presenting an unbroken
front to the enemy.
We among the Republicans may be
discouraged when we consider our own
dissensions, but when we look to the
possibility of any united action on the
part of the Democrats for any policy
or any line of policies, we must take
courage. 1t was General Grant who
said that when he first went into bat
tie he had a great deal of fear, but
he overcame that fear by maintaining
in his mind the constant thought OF
how much more afraid his opponent
was.
And so we who find ourselves at
times given over to the thought that
Republican control is at an end should
not forget to consider not only our own
factional strife, but also that 'of our
ancient enemy.
If the Democratic party were
solid, cohesive organization, guided by
one principle and following the same
economic views, the situation would
be far more discouraging than it is.
The Republican party has been the
party responsible for the government
for the last seventeen years. Il has
discharged those responsibilities with
wonderful success. The troubles grow
ing out Of the Spanish war and those
which have come from the rapid ac.
o,,r,rIations of fortune IL has fallen 10