The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-11-28

los marked recovery, for the reason
&c t,-s were the chief sufferers
- u~isturpances which are now
passing away.
there IS also a much better politi-
Col SITUATION. A week hence CONGRESS
VIII open and the country musr he
for shocks from proposed
iauicai legislation The presidential
mas been prematurely be-
gun. 1t is fairly under way. Sensa-
tlonal attacks must be expected for
poiltlcal effect. They should be re-
Sdrued, however, with reserve and q
recollection Of the fact that the con-
element often rests in the
background until the final
When 1t usually asserts its SOLDERING in
Huence. Recent events show a whole
some change in public opinion from
extreme radicalism and Irrational pro-
sTeSSiSlsfn. The people are getting
urea or agitation, and there is less
uahser today Of extreme political ac-
tlon than at any time for many years.
Inns IS largely because the antitrust
crusade has passed the crisis. The
worst was known last summer when
the supreme Court decisions were is
sued concerning the Standard Oil and
cases Since then big bust
ness mas been slowly recovering CON
1dence although often seriously dis
pIeased and discounted by interfer-
ence with former nlans and methods,
All tnaI IS necessary now is for bust
ness to adjust itself to the clear will
or n people which is to keep open
the door OF opportunity. We may
Rave to pass through a period of re-
construction in legislation affecting
corporations This unfortunately
means more or less uncertainty. At
the moment the air is thick with vi
sionary proposals., and there are no
indications at the of what
direction new Legislation will take. A
course Of hearings is now going OF
before the Senate Committee at wash
inGton. but no line can yet be taken
upon it's probable findings. After all.
we had better let the Sherman law
alone. and try it out thoroughly before
any changes are attempted. New leg
lslatlon will only increase confusion
and throw away all the work Of the
Supreme Court in reading reason and
justice to the law as it now stands.
The country q probably been saved
by this Sherman law from a political
and social upheaval which would sure
~ nave followed at no distant ate
nnder q further concentration Of ca Di-
tai and monopoly. The gravity of the
danger which we have escaped is not
sufficiently appreciated, and for this
the country should be devoutly CRATE
1ul. To seek repeal Of that law is alb
5oidkS1y 4ALilC. GAllOlIlt! eIc0ITI2111S
probability is that ways will be found
for big business to continue its bene-
ficent operations without conflicting
with public interest and without any
Injurious effects to business interests
further than the temporary inconyen-
fence of r~eadjusting itself to new
legal conditions. So far as political
elements are concerned. the outlook in
the long run is distinctly brighter, and
nothing more serious than temporary
setbacks may be anticipated on the
news from Washington.
Finally, we have a better foreign
situation; better investment condi-
tions; a better bond market; a salts
factory monetary outlook, and better
copper conditions, all Of which must
tend toward a return and crystalliza-
ton Of confidence. The only reactions
at present in sight are such as may
ocur from political development and
the taking OF profits after an already
very considerable rise. Such reactions,
however, nder present conditions are
sure to be followed by further recov-
cries.
CIEWS,