The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-31
oNLYFEw WOULD RRrEAL Law
Labor Leaders Not Opposed 10
Large Combinations
Gompsrs, Mitchell and Others Take
Stand That Too Much comps-
tition is Dangerous.

al Civic Federation today made public
an analysts OF 10000 answers received
by Il TO a series of questions concern
ing the Sherman law. The analysis of
the answers is summed up by the Fed :
eration as follows:-
The replies indicate little sentiment
In favor of the unconditional repeal OF
the Sherman law. On the other hand II
Is shown that there Ia practically no
desire 10 abolish large combinations.
The public have no desire for govern
inent ownership. on one side. or unre-
stricted and unregulated private or
corporate control on the other. They
viii accept large combinations ade-
quately regulated"
The questions were sent to editors,
political economists. lawyers. public
lists. statisticians, manufacturers. mer-
chants. bankers and the officers of
commercial. labor and other organiza-
tions. Az introductory to the ques-
tions IL was pointed out that "the
sherman Anti Trust Act has now been
interpreted by the Supreme Court 20
mean, as To Interstate commerce, that
any combination in restraint of trade
with the purpose of controlling prices
and sitting competition is unlawful"
The Opinions in Detail.
Going into detail regarding the re-
plies the Federation says: Eighty
four per cent of the answers pronounce
. h.. 10
workable, or workable without being
clear. but only some tweirty per cent
declare In favor OF its repeal. or these
latter the larger number add that IF
not repealed, IL should be amended
etc. Substantially. the usual phraseol-
Sherman law is make IL 50 that bust
ness men can understand it, or bring
II into line with modern business con-
ditions'
Eighty per cent of the replies favor
Federal license or incorporation for
companies engaged I'm Interstate COM
merce, about one-third of the eighty
taking Federal license as an alterna-
tive. Seventy-iive per cent are OPP
posed to holding companies, while of
the remainder nearly all want holding
companies bound by restrictions that
would prevent abuses.
Government regulation of capitali-
zation is approved by ninety per cent
of those to whom that question was
submitted, n few of the minority who
disapprove suggesting that over-cap- |
itallzation Is not always an evil, but
sometimes brings capital into action
that would otherwise remain idle.
Advantages Outlined.
Three important advantages claim |
ed for those doing business on large |
in production, econo- !
mics in distribution and greater use OF
by -products-are admitted without
dissent by all who answer that query. |
'Steadier employment OF labor and at |
better wages and better protection |
against Industrial accidents are de- |
MED by thirty-flve per cent, and more
of international trade and |
command of the best ability are
doubted BY ten per cent of these an
swering.
About eighty per cent favor an In
terstate Industrial Commission. some
qualifying with the condition that IL
should be composed of business men |
only. and two labor representatives
that the Commission should |
consist of one member from each
state--a sort of Interstate Business
Senate.
"A comparatively small proportion
are In favor of control of prices by an
Industrial Commission.
1.-THE answers" the Federation con-
tinmes in its statement, "leave no doubt
that the public IL thoroughly aroused
to the vital Importance of the prob
LENS dealt with by the Sherman Act.
This condition of the public mind is
just az much by those con-
trolling great combinations of capital
Garner.
Conditions Disturbed.
THAT business conditions are dis
turb nearly every reply admits" the
Federation declares. In the thousands
of replies received a large majority as
.sert that business conditions are un-
Enforcement OF the sher-
man law Is most frequently mention
ed by business men as a disturbing
cause. on the ground that they do not
the law. and that the un-
certainty as to its meaning retards
makes capital hesitate to
enter upon new Investments, and
these in charge OF business
to restrict expenditures
to the absolute demands of trade.
ut is significant that the leaders OF
organized labor. representing three
millions Of wage earners are practi-
cally unanimous In demanding that