The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-08-09
Suspicion of the Wealthy is
Unhealthy, Bankers Say


Chicago, ILL.,, Aug. 9.It is claimed /
by bankers throughout the country I
that there is a fear among the bust {
ness men that the spirit of inquiry {
into the affairs of large corporations I
win develop into a campaign of acri-
mony causing a widespread feeling of
suspicion against anyone possessing ;
,.ealth. This tendency was recently
expressed aptly ty President Taft in
his special message to the senate rel
ative to the situation in Alaska, when.
declaring his sympathy with reason
able and patriotic men for the con
servation of our valuable resources
from greedy and monopolistic exploit
tations" he pointed out that "the acri- !
mony of spirit and the intense malice |
that have been engendered in respect |
to the administration of the govern |
ment in Alaska" and the wanton
recklessness and eagerness with
which attempts have been made to
besmirch the character of high Off
Gals having to do with the Alaska
government and even of persons not
in public life, present condition that
calls for condemnation and requires
that the public be warned of the de-
moralization that has been produced
by the hysterical suspicious of good
people and the INSCRIPTIONS and
corrupt Misrepresentation of the
wicked"
:. Many bankers point out that the eff
forts to interpret existing laws and to
halt the natural disposition of people
and corporations to grasp eagerly and
sometimes greedily for profits in a
new and resourceful country, afford
, ing great opportunities and large pro-
fits, are apt to result in lack of pub
} lie discrimination between good and
bad individuals and corporations, thus
Is forcing all to suffer alike under the
attack of the irresponsible.
Uncertainties Rather Than Develop
ments Retard Business.
These advices as a rule attribute
the continuation of the hesitancy
RI which developed a year ago. and the
ne extension of the business reaction
lis largely to uncertainties in connection
with the delay in the decision Of thu
la supreme court interpreting the Sher
/; man antitrust law in the STANDARD
IA. Oil and American Tobacco cases. thu
decision against the proposed in
II. o eqse hv the railroads in treiSh
r. rites and 20 continuous Investigation
ity Into corr of-te management of tn
r9st. But in may of the expression
e.. tNero is > notable absence of rance
w II the criticism and tone indtcatin
rather clearly th' conviction that tn
ms. country Just no. is in transitor
MS period. that we are developing ne'
order of things, a situation affectin
u: all business interests and involving a
,ri- awakening of sentiment regardin
public affairs; a growing sense of r.
IT, sponsibility by business men cole
hill lively and individually and Of intere'
d. in national, state and communal a
fairs.
e. Economic Law AS ExactIng AS
yht, Health Laws
B. The thought seems to be gener
wn, that the business community now
yn paving the debts incurred throul
over-indulgence; Just as the hum
w. body must pay in sickness for the v
ran, lation Of laws OF nature. bconon
ON laws are Just as exacting as are
laws of health In this resource
let: country, full Of vigor and opportuni
49, the tendency to disregard well est
lished economic principles has or
let: ually grown until It reached a po
23,- where these laws of economics bee
to assert themselves and demand
Dis reckoning. Fortunately this disreg
John has not reached a chronic state.
,rity is exceedingly reassuring to note
favorable tone and tenor Of the
hern tiers from bankers and business 4
/; r. of all classes and sections toward
z, s. remedial work, the awakening Il
new order of duty, responsibility
hern citizenship.
7. q. Greater Realization Of Individual
3; @. sponsibilIty.
a. A. All Of this Is potent influence
work IN the business situation.