The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-14
Attitude of Department of Justice and Uncertainty
 of Labor Blamed
JOHN G. SHEDD ON BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Chicago Man Declares the Country Suffers From Too Much Politics and Too Little Constructive M
 Craftsmanship
By JOHN c. SHEDD Marshall Field X Co.

President Marshall Field X Co.
 There is nothing fundamentally wrong with business in the United States. The chief curb at the moment is the prevail ence of pessimism and fear on the part of aE business 10 operate except along ultra. conservative lines. Surely this pes simism and fear are justified on account of the persistent endeavorors of the de- partment of justice, by all legal means, 10 check large enterprises and on account of the literally explosive uncertainty oi the labor market.
 At present there exists this deplorable situation in this country. A man with plans for industrial development which would benefit labor and lower the cost or living may be compelled to wait for an indefinite period, while his banker and lawyer vainy seek to ascertain whether he can get capital or. not, and whether. if he gets it, his use of 1t will be such d reasonable one as they will dare to sane tion,
 Dynamite Not Justified
 It is natural that men should seek to get all the wages they can, but no condition of labor justifes the use of dynamite in the night on innocent men to obtain thls end It Is natural that men should ask to get food and clothing and other goods at as low prices as possible. but 1t is absolutely wrong to point the finger of distrust at all those engaged in manufac- turing and merchandising on large scale. It is not only wrong, but it is ridiculous, for those may be the men who are doing nIf, fa st ciency and reduce prices to the ultimate consumer.
 Business is between the upper and the neither millstones. Take, for instance. the price of meats, which enter so largely into the problem of the high cost of living. If beef goes up, the farmer roars with delight, and the consumer rages at the meat trust. The farmer pays off his mortgage and buys an automobile, and the consumer is sure that the pack CTS are engaged in an unholy conspiracy to hold him up,
 Gives Packers No Credit
 If, on the other hand, beef goes down, the consumer accepts the reductions with no thought of giving the packers credit, while the farmer rises in wrath, planes them in particular and the financial and railroad interests in general, and de- mands more legislation.
 If the packers present methods are not in accordance with the law, they should be made to conform to the same Know ing the packers of this country as l do. I am convinced that they are not only willing but anxious to carry on their business with a proper observation of all legal requirements, if it only can be de- tcImined what constitutes requirements as applied to their business.
 The purpose of the organization of gov ernnlent is the protection of business and commerce and the protection of life and property. Failure to perform the latter function, as in the McNamara case may be due to mere inability to cope with evil forces, but, in the case of the former dutv we find not a failure to promote commerce. and business but an apparent aggressive attempt to destroy them.
 Can Both Be Benefited?
 What will be the result? Can the farm CT and the consumer both be benefited? :? Can the government give one allo- pathc and the other homeopathic dose out of the same bottle at the same time? Will the efficiency of the packing indus try be increased? Will the middemans S profit on the transformation of live hog into dressed pork be reduced below its present proportions?
 l believe in the protection of the public from injustice on the part of capital; I be- lieve in proper respect for law and order by rich and poor alike. The numer- ous accounts of murders and destruction of property, appearing in our papers daily, do not indicate strong respect for the law, nor does the punishment in- fiicted in most cases seem to meet the crime. Penalties should be certain and adequate.
 I believe the country Is suffering from too much politics and too little construc- tive statesmanship.
 Tariff Tinkering an Instance
 As an instance, l would cite the diff faculties in the past few years in obtaining proper and well balanced tariff legislation, while all sorts of restrictive regulations, al applied to business, have been consum- ing the time and attention of our legiS- lators.
 I believe in competition. I believe that a business which is not on competitive basis is built on a wrong foundation. Business, to be healthy, must be competi- tive. but competition, to be healthy, must be reasonable. If competition forces two rival firms to sell for 8 something which has cost them $l0 to manufacture, 1t is bad condition. not only for them but for the country at large.
 I dc not believe that the ordinary citizen of the country is to blame for the things which are being done in his name. The average man is willing to pay for honest value in what he buys. He has no desire to prosecute man because he has built up large industry and made the manu- featuring or marketing of goods more economical
 Average Man Honest
 The average man is honest, law abiding, and Intelligent, just as is the average cap italist or labor union member. But the average man may be represented by dema gogue; there may be capitalists whom it is necessary to send to jail. and labor may be disgraced by dynamiters. It seems a pity that the rank and file of these various interests cannot get to- gether and work for the common well fare.
 If this is not practical, there can at least he sane action by Congress; more can be dcne toward relieving the present em- barge on business by our national legis- lators than by anyone else.
 approve the passage of federal in- corporation act and suggest quick action in tariff revision, particularly of the cot ton and wool schedules, and, above all. an early adjournment.
 Notwithstanding the unrest through which this country is passing. I am a col firmed optinist and believe we are