The Washington herald., 1911-05-28

in freedom-political. religious. and com
mercial. r.,
Now the size Of q corporation. except
that size means power. ordinarily is oi
less importance than the intent. Does q
corporation purpose to strangle compe'
tition and establish a monopoly? The
courts have endeavored to get answers tc
that query, but. SO far as I, know, with.
out success. In this country, as have
said, corporations In restraint Of trade
are unlawful. In Germany and Great
Britain corporations are encouraged
When We began to hunt the great ship
ping trust we found that it had no prop
erty here but docks.
so when I am asked how we can con-
troll corporations doing business in the
United States and prevent Discrimination
and monopoly. I answer very candidly
that I do not know. We have laws: that
I do know. They are-better and stronger
than we supposed. Monopolists can be
put in Jail. Catching a little man and
letting a big man escape. however. would
be of no avail. The Imprisonment of a
paid agent would not terrorize his en-
ployer very much. The man higher up
would suffer no personal degradation.
Biographers could not say that he had
been a jailbird once.
II have sometimes thought that We
might have an industrial commission. The
Interstate Commerce Commission exer-
cises control over our railroads, A SINH
lar body of public officers might have
some control over interstate products and
ascertain essential Industrial facts. The
suggestion has been made that the work
be done by the Commissioner Of Corpora
tions. One man. however, should not be
given power to that extent. Nor is there
a man In the world big enough for the
job. Complicated as the problem now ap-
pears. its solution am certain will come
with time. Our craftsmanship so. far has
met and mastered every question that
has come into our, national life.
Personal Injuries to BE Paid Fer.
There will also be law" Senator
Kenyon went on, to say making acci-
dents to- workinsmen a legitimate charge
against industry. advocated such law
while was an officer Of the Illinois Cen
trail Railroad. A yard engine, let US say.
jumps the track. The engineer loses both
on his legs What follows? The engine
is sent to the shop and fixed up and the
expense is charged to the-cost Of doing
business. The people who eat. wear cloth-
Ing. or travel pay the bill. Why shouldn't
the engineer be fixed up? With both legs
gone It wonld be impossible for him to
work. In my View he would have . valid
claim against society.
Presumably. however. he would live
the rest Of his days on charity. think
his legs are q sound and Just expense and
should be promptly and willingly met by
the public The repairs to tho engine
were figured In by the specialists who
make the freight rates and passenger
fares Of the railroad. I should have ac-
cidents paid for without litigation and
the money turned over to the COURTS.
Then the lawyers couldn't get It. Such .
law might be opposed by the railroads.
but Il would put an end TO expensive
litigation and would compensate those
who suffer loss in the necessary service
Of the country
''You remarked I said. ''that you are
. progressive Republican. Does that
mean you believe In the initiative and
referendumy'
no; i shall think about that way Of
legislati1g and vstoing legislation b The
f1tufs: 1us Jet may ~ tAat Z ss1jecl