New-York tribune., 1911-01-14
CUMM|NS FOR NEW DEAL
Tells National Civic Federation
Competition Isn't a Factor.
FOR FEDERAL REGULATION
senator Thinks Anti Trust
Law Inadequate-Gompers,
Belmont and Perkins
Speak.

Captains Of industry, phllanthropSIs,
eosnciers and laboring men were indis-
erininately placed at the tables and appar-
,r,,v all on good terms. at the eleventh
annual dinner Of the National Civic FEEDER
.t,on at the Hotel Astor last night. There
usra about a thousand persons present and
,a.rly as many women as men. Seth Low,
rresjdent Of the federation, acted as toast
master. and among the speakers were Sen
.,or Albert p. Cunmins. of Iowa; August
ps,nont. Ex-Governor Myron T. Herrick OF
ohio Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation Of Labor; George w.
perkins. Lewis ". Parker, president Of the
eopth Carolina council OF the federation.
and John l.. Jewctt, president OF the lndi-
ana council
Senator Cummins received prolonged ap-
,lsuse as ne was presented by Mr.. Low
erd his subject announced as governmental
regulation Of the railroads. He was quick
o. reassure some OF his very dear rail-
road friends present" that he did not IN
tend 10 speak on railway regulation, but
on the regulation Of interstate commerce.
Senator Cummins reviewed the Congress
sioual history Of commerce legislation N
,be form Of the interstate commerce law
and the antitrust law. lie excluded oil
common carriers IN his remarks, and dwelt
upon the regulation of the great Industrial
enterprises. He said that the antitrust
Law had proved inadequate to preserve
fair and healthy competition in business.
lie said the great question before the peo-
rle. and one which would have 10 he
answered by them, was whether they be-
ueved with the Congress of 1SSo-which
PASSED the antitrust bill-that II was essen
tiaI n maintain a full and unlimited COM
retitlon In the industrial and financial af-
fairs Of the country. or whether they be
ucved there should he other and more
ai,ruistic methods adopted in business.
For Direct Federal Regulation.
Though have uought to say against the
great Industrial combinations az such
SAID Senator Cummins 81 prophesy that IN
the end We will have competition In fun
yigor. which means an endless struggle IN
prices aud profits or We will have uni
versaI cooperation in which all our people
will take part. The competition when
fixes prices and profits is passing away.
That is not the vital factor in business to-
dav. but II depends more on the homeiy
old sdage that the goose which lays the
golden egg must DC kept alive.
Competition is cruel AT times and often
wasteful but II distributes wealth and does
81 far more Justly than monopoly can do
Senator Cummins advocated a direct fed
eral regulation 10 be imposed on the person
o. corporation engaged in interstate com
nerce. which would limit the amount OF
capital 10 be used in any particular enter
prise With such a limitation, he said. we
would regain that just competition which
the antitrust law is unable to preserve
Nj Belmont spoke on the question Of
compensation for industrial accidents and
their prevention. As chairman Of the de-
rartment which has had this subject in
charge for the National Civic Federation,
he outlined what the department had &c
complished. He said that wide latitude
had been given his department In their in
Qniries and that they had acquired In
formation through the best channels posi-
bAs throughout the country. II
For Industrial Compensation.
The result Of their labors had been
drafted in a tentative bill on the subject OF
Industrial compensation. said Mr.. Belmont,
which IN 'ts essentials was intended 70 bear
the character Of a practical measure, one
applicable 10 the present day, not running
contrary 20 constitutional prohibitions and
likely 10 meet with favorable notice by
the majority Of the state legislatures
4 salient feature Of the bill. he said was
that 70 provided for compensation only in
Industries which were hazardous. lie said
that it was the purpose Of the bill 10 apply
compensation justly TO the laboring man
IN the small industry, who suffers most
under present conditions. The large indus
tries We're taking care Of their employees In
this respect through mutual benefit socie-
ties. The bill as proposed had been in
dorsed by some OF the largest manufacture
Ing interests. ard he hoped labOring men
everywhere would look OF Il with favor.
Ex-Governor Herrick sounded note OF
warning on account Of the general spirit
OF discomfort throughout the country, as
he said, and declared that he believed we
were in the midst Of an economic revolu-
ton ss distinct as some OF those in the old
countries, though not as brutal as Crom-
wells.