The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-11-30
Cummins Asks Question.

How would the commission know
whether an agreement among steel men
20 FIX the price of rails at s2S was re
straint OF trade?''' asked Senator Cum
Minis.
at would soon become competent TO
know that" returned Judse Gary. ''as
tue Interstate commerce commission has
become competent 10 decide whether
rates are Just and reasonable
He declared unrestricted competition
meant the ruin OF the small individual or
concern, and the gradual strengthening
of natural monopoly OF the larger, As
opposed TO this he urged that the govern
ment recognize the need OF partial agree
luents between corporations and individ-
uals 50 that an actual competition might
stil be maintained that would be fair
and free 70 all interests
lis there any particular thing now
clearly forbidden by the Sherman Law
that YOU think ought to be permitted"
asked Senator Cummins.
Mr.. Gary thought not. but he said tho
business difficulty lay In deciding be-
forehand what amounted 10 restraint
Of trade.
The famous Cary dinners where steel
..
voro not 10 Ok prices. but 10 disclose
ther business conditions 10 each other,
he said.
Every gentleman there. II he was a
gentleman. could go away with full
knowledge Of his competitors affairs
and could shape his business so as not
to ruin his competitor" said Mr. Gary.
No Dinners of Late,
FIs ADDED that he had not dared even
10 hold these conferences lately: that
there was no means OF knowing exactly
what constituted violation OF the Shcr-
man Law.
Mr.. Gary appeared voluntarily before
The committee. Tie declared that pub
licity would accomplish most toward
cur6tuS the big corporations. but that
20 insure business STABILITY and the great
est Development OF industry. corpora
tioa5 must ne permitted 10 expand under
proner government control.
The steel corporation. Mr., Gary said
had boen at all times anxious 10 obey
the Law and desired only as fair treat
men, as was given TO the consumer.
Equal treatment is ali VIC ask" he
aid. There has never been a time that
] have not said: Show US where we are
"5gnE TnE and and we will get right"
presidentlal politics In the country"
II would like TO sec the president elect
% Tor eight years without right OF re-
electlon. he said I'm other words, nut
MIN In such n posi,iou and frame OF mind
That he has no temptation or inclination
IN looA In any direction or toward inter
ests IN reference to his re-election."
Mr. Gary added that he made mo rof-
srsncs TO any individual In his presiden-
tisl suggestion. lie Fsld the country Ia
already feeling the unrest OF the coming
election.
Publicity the Thing.
"Ihs nr.t great thing is publicity"
Tor that Ia compelled to publish it's facts
and tsurss and 10 live up TO The require
n"nts OF the Law will prove a great thing
Tor the entire country"
MT Gary declared that the TuIt.d
lion s or cannot Inn give up the big corpora
.hsy are necessary. he said. ir the United
states Is To maintain conmcrciai an
prenSc! and Industrial equilibrium and
tne greatest good viii be secured bv
NorklnE out system of federal control
that Vili prevent the misuse OF the poSer
Of corporations. ''"7'
In the last few years" said Mr.. Carr.
mere mas been much In the manage
nent Of great business affairs that vas
NronS Many or the great business men.
concerning the conduct OF busines. uhint,
should be changed" "''A
He said that corporations hsd s...,
oped to a point where they mu.t =.
eurbed to prevent the nlsuse OF thslr
As a curb for the trust eviI. Mr.. csry
Offered this pisr
Federal license Of ccrpora,ionp -
dulring full publicity. preventing ov.r-
capitalization, and preventing .dIscrim-