New-York tribune., 1911-10-02
FOR CONSTRUCTIVE PLAN
Rochester Business Men Discuss
Commercial Situation.
"SHERMAN ACT ANCIENT"
Said to Furnish Congress Excuse
for Harassing Every Business
Authorities Have Overlooked.

Rochester, Oct. 1-Albert 3. Eastwood
president OF the Rochester Chamber OF
Commerce, at a meeting Of the board OF
trustees, held last Tuesday. asked num-
Der of questions a9 TO the effect on the
business and financial outlook and stua
ton Of the Congress investigations into cor
pcrations and other business, Of the recent
tariff discussions and proposed tariff legis-
lation. and OF the recent Supreme court
decisions. The trustees were also asked 20
give suggestions as to the best help toward
permanent stable and good business con
diuons and if credit is too much conccn-
trated in great financial centres. The ques-
tons are as follows:
4. What effect. If any, do you think me
congressional inyestis satiOns into corpora
uons and other business arc going 10
have on the business and financial outlook
and situation
.. What effect. if any. arc the recent tsrlff
discussions and the certainty Of more taif
legislation next winter having?
g What effect. IF any. have the supreme
Court decisions in the Standard OIL ana
Tobacco cases had. and what is the effect
on business Of the antitrust law as these
decisions leave it,
a. Is credit too much concentrated in the
great financial centres, 10 the detrlment oi
legitimate business men and business uses
throughout the country
g. Most OF al. What would vou suggest
as the best help now toward permanent
stable and good business conditions-vhai
ccnctructive policy or PLAN
The questions proved OF such interest 10
the trustees that answers were formulated
by five of the leading members of the cham
her ard unanimously accepted as an eX-
preston Of opinion by the board Of trus
tees Of the chamber out Of the ffty-four
trustees thirtv-two were present ar the
meeting The answers follow.
l. These Investigations I'm themselves viii
only retard Tor the moment the natural
progress n evolution which has been going
on IN adapting the business OF the country
10 take full advantage of the improved
methods OF communication which now exist
Whether or not this evolution viii be per
manenuv intertered with will depend upon
the pian which II 20 be- imposed by the
court upon the tobacco company 10 carry
out the recent Supreme Court decision
.. Ta1f discussions AZ best tend 90 nm
settle business. Where there is how
certainty in tariff legislation. its effect on
business is not had. In the case OF SCheI-
ule \. for instance, the clothing man knows
that there IS going 10 be large reduction
Of the tariff. How much he does NOT know
The only effect IL viii have on the clothing
business will ba 10 make the clothing man
more conservative in his purchase
3. The decisions have caused the mana
may possibly be applied 20 cease all efforts
toward betterments or extensions until they
know whore they stand This curiails bust
ness. As the antitrust law stands to-day,
10 furnishes Congress the excuse for harass-
ing every business the other AUTHORITIES
may nave overlooked. inCeT such circum-
stances the prudent man will call In his
outstanding credits, reduce his Organiza
tiOn to the minimum, and await evidences
OF returning sanity-at least. one VIII.
4 The concentration NJ capital in large
financial centres Is not detrimer al 10 le-
climate business At large. At different sea-
sons OF the year money distributed all over
the country could not be- used locally FOR
legitimate business purposes. Therefore thero
must be an outlet for surplus funds. dnd
these outlets are through our reserve cities
where credit can be extended on demand.
Credit for legitimate business purposes
must be on time basis
o. The heroic measures uf -ho govern
ment under the sherman act. 3D. they were
necessary, nave served their purpose What
We need now is a more constructive policy.
II a corporation is acting in restraint OF
trade treat n construCtivolv. IFS organiza-
tiOu has an economic value To- the who'll"
field I'm which II operates. Locate and cor
rect the offeuGnc detail. lu not disrupt The
organization. Apply corrective measures
where needed. do not diminish general eff
ciorcv by forcing dissolution.