The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-29


- -
II is tho sworn duty OF the executive
10 enforce the law. nd as long as
such combinations exist and are
known to cNis, to the law officer. Of
would he lacking in their duty II they
did not prosecute them. They are
under my orders to treat the prosecu-
ton OF trusts like the bringing OF
any other suits which arc within the
scope and duty of the Dcpo rtment Of
Justice. and must decline to admit
that there Is any discretion which
would enable the Attorney General
and his assistants TO stay the hand
OF the government in respect of such
violations of law. I do not think 1t
need he long continued because
believe that the business community
itself is rapidly taking in the effect
or the decisions OF the Supreme Court.
ahw that we may expert a revolution
~ fcelirs on the attitude of business
men toward this {.
II have heard the severest criticism.
from some men engaged in business.
me to argue with them. because
don't understand how their position
can be supported in the slightest. They
oesm 10 think that there ought TO be
some measure making legal the con.
troll of CONF etition and limited monop.
oily. soIae statute enacted which shall
establish q line between those monop-
ohes that are reasonable and those
that are not-those that are bnnevo-
lent and those that are unconscton-
able. No such line is possible. ana
the Supreme Court has expressly an
decided. Mourning over n condition
which is inevitable Is useless. and un-
I'll they realize that their views in
this regard must be radically changed
their complaints must fall upon deaf
ears.
i have seen arguments based upon
the attitude Of foreign governments
toward great enterprises in which 1t
is poitned out that they have en-
couraged. fondled. and protected com
oinations OF this character. That is
tfne. There is 1" tendency among
some foreign go, ernments to en.our-
age what they cali trusts to take mart
themselves In the mana cement OF the
trusts to take part themselves In the
mana cement of the trusts. to fix prices.
and - depend upon governmental con.
troll to secure their asona BILE con-
duct: but such a system With US is
absolutely impossible. and It might az
Well be understood. The countries
TO which reference is made are veer-
ing toward State socialism. This, in
oeed. II competition is to disappear.
is the logical escape from thu evil ,f
private monopolies. because IL private
companies are to be allowed to man
age everything and fix prices, then
there is every reason why the control
thus exercised by them should be
transferred from them to the govern
ment. and this is State socialism.
As to the Tariff
Third. With respect to tariff laws.
The business of the country TODAY
rests upon the protective tarin basis.
Every one knows this. and every one
must be aware that change of tarifts
In such way that those businesses
that are dependent upon protection for
their existence shall lose It must in
1ure present conditions in all business
whether dependent on the tarin o,
not The change, therefore. from a
protective tariff to a tariff for reve-
nue. only is necessarily hostile to
existing business, and must lead to
business depression and at least tenn
porary business disaster. But there
are many. and l am among those, who
believe that protection in the past
has been too high. and that 81 is pos
sibls to lower the tariff SO as not to
interfere with business. give a living
rate OF protection to existing enter
prise and yet prevent excessive prices
growing out of excessive rates I'm
carrying out such a policy and main
tanning such an attitude. il is essen
tial that the interests of business
should be guarded by close investiga-
ton into their needs as to a protec-
tive tariff and this emphasizes the
maintenance OF tariff commission
and OF its ascertainment of the facts
with respect to business and the diff
ference between the cost of produc- /
ton here and the cost OF production
abroad before tariff changes are made.
"One OF the prominent useful
features of the admins tration of the
government in Germany. In Austria.
and in France. is the existence of
under officials constituting tariff
bureau or commission who follow
closely the changes in trade in their
own country, and in other countries
through consular bureaus and other
wise. and who keep in constant read
mess for use a digested mass of in
formation which enables them to nd
wise the government with the utmost
accuracy what changes in the tariff
law would help the trade of their own
country. and what the effect of the
changes will be. They exercise the
closest guardianship over the business
or the country, with the hope of pro-
noting Its prosperity and expanding
Its volume. They would no more think
OF changing policy like that of the
protective tariff to free-trade policy
by one stroke. breaking down the bus
mess of the country in many direc-
tons. than they would of blowing I'D
their battieships or destroying their
fortifications.
I'VE have had in the past two wears
since the agitation and the excitement
growing out OF the passage of the
Payne bill. a strong movement toward
the establishment of tariff board or
commission. which. by furnishing ac-
curate information as to tariff mat
ha