Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-11-09

in i'm
list Germany elsewhere the continent far as dscov
ering solution of the problem concerned our
attention to the American trust.
Different men have recently discussed thc trust
question: increased attention is constantly being devoted
to the subject owing to the directions in which
problem pressing for solution the fact that Con-
gesS the coming session is likely pass further legislation
on the subject
Theodore p Shons president of the Incrboroupb RAND
Transit company of New York has devong series of
tba o to the Question: h and his view is worth with
on the Interstate Commerce Commission.
The points that being raised as to the effect Of the
operation of the Sherman antitrust law construed by the
United States Supreme Court in the Standard Oil and Tobacco
Trust whether it possible oldtime
petition or whether the country legalze captaistic and
industrial cooperation, and whether cooperation
sary under existing conditions and to what the
ment shall exercise regulation and supervision
Mr. Shonts holds that the law construed
opposes nation wide principle of economic development
other words combination He there fundamental
question: whether the sounde progress commercial
aarS Will be promoted by consolidation of and ia
cles or by their widespread distribution the ndvid
ualS composing the nation
Great national wealth and power have been developed by
ooth processes In France to illustrate where there
small but few large fortunes there striking example of the
accumulation of national wealth and power through the
In the United States. however the opposite theory
combinations essential maximum commercial develop
ment has always obtained.
Mr. Shonts says that there doubt that in many eases
as III that of street railways telephone companies and pub
he convenience has been largely served through continuation
The earlier combinations frankly aimed "A actual
monopoly and feeling Of danger thus spread
among the people which in time led to the Of the
AS to the good effect of that law. in far
chG"k monoposc tendencies he there be
abb" doubt but he dclore the fact that magnitude Of
business organization extensive ownership property
though leading dominating influence particular trade
or business, has TO he condemned
Mr. Shon hold, that with federal incorporation
force would be easily possible by federal of
franchiSeshe legality Of which recently affirmed by the
Supreme Court force all large corporations under national
control thus producing such Capitalization Of power would
make the national government in time the greatest of all
Datos ana deadly weapon against private the
hands of incompetent unscrpuos officials but if policy
OF me sherman law as indicated IN the recent farrcacing de
cSlonS OF the Supreme Court to be rigidy carried
would seem surcrluous to bother with laws regulating
ironing prices Inc rountr! is more apt to b" confronted with
the attendant evils of unrestricted competition
high prices brought about by combinations.
He thinks if any legislation all needed
circumstances would be form legislation that
tcc that stability and equilibrium of prices which been per
hap the most important benefit conferred by largest
best managed combinations
Commissioner Prouy in an address recently delivered be-
fore the Congregations club Of Brooklyn y took the
position that the regulation of trusts and monopos is properly
create an administrative tribunal for this purpose.
Mr. lrouty lays the foundation of his position by asserting
that the trust problem has been treated political question:
whereas it is social and economic question. In order pave
the way for solution he shows what the problem is
The sherman under which antitrust
ing taken by the notwithstanding forbid contracts in restraint
of interstate trade Moreover forbis combinations
trade we'll as all attempts to establish such monopoly
Mr. Iouy condnscS the whole problem into the question
formulated by the newspapers Do big business
are we willing to pay c price of it, He shows that inevitably
words the number Of competitors constantly Decreasing and
the tendency ; TO ,;nlioiSh competition in price
On" striking at:e' Of combination shown in saving
Of fuel by the United States Steel corporation Gary where
$4,000 horsepower used operations
works power produced by generated by
Car! power produced by utilizing
developed il th process Of which
pass of the and the saving this direction
is round 5l0Q00o0 year. while preparations made
double the saving
Mr. P"o,y believes the holding company, which the
g factor combinations should be absolutely prohibited
by and he bat when he problem has
Thought out finally limit the property which
single corporation may hold But he does seriously object
to MgneSs. The problem farther than that
While Mr., prouy sympahizes with the purpose
preme Court OF the United States in introducing of
reason into the Interpretation OF the antitrust act and
possible the executive except enforce the
thus interpreted constrained that this will
afford a workable basis.
There way distinguish the lawful combination from
unlawful Mr. Irouty illustrates by saying the
steel company has been in existence years every
detail Of and operation known
yers do agree whether it Is lawful
Mr. Prouy believes that ndiscmnate prosecution
enterprises though resulting dssoll-
will in the long produce practically little effect He