New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-01-07
DEBATE TRUST PROBLEMS
Perkins and Untermyer Meet at
the Republican Club.
EACH AV0WS HIS CREED
Both Believe Federal Commits
sion Should Control Great
Corporations.

The first OF this years Saturday discus
sions at the Republican Club was marked
by what might be called a debate on the
trust questions between George W. Perkins
and Samuel Untermyer. although an
nounced as a discussion Of Our Business
Problems"
Mr.. Untermyer prefaced his speech by
informing those who might not know II
that he was Democrat and a quasi-pro-
tectonist. In this he took his cue from
Mr. Perkins. who preceded him, and who
made a political confession OF faith, saying
that not only he, but his ancestors, were
Republican
After Mr.. Untermyer finished, one OF the
club members asked him:
"Mr. Untermyer, In view Of your eco
nomc views, why should you not support
President Taft for President"
Mr.. Untermyer nonpussed. paused, and
! said the question was a partisan one. He
doing so, but Andrew B. Humphrey. chair
man of the discussion. came to his relief
! by ruling out the question.
Mr.. Perkins said modern business con-
Germs were brought about by the labor
saving devices Of the inventor, notably the
| telephone.
ut would have been utterly impossible, 81
he continued, for Mr.. Rockefeller's father
70 have done what his son has DONE even
though he were twenty times as able.
without modern inventions. These are the
things which underlie the problem OF cor
poratons."
IF" asked Mr.. Perkins. some twenty
five years ago, a body of commercial men
had gone to Mars and come back and told
us that people there were using the long
distance telephone, were sending messages
through the air, and able to talk to eight
people at once over the same wire, wouid
we have Immediately passed the Sherman
antitrust law?'
After the laughter died ont Mr.. Perkins
said that the Sherman antitrust law had
done nothing but block, hinder and retard
the development that came with these In
ventions
He said the new Congress should take
some action Of constructive, conservative
nature that would enable the business Oh
the country to proceed in an orderly man
ner. and free from the present uncertain
and harassing conditions.
He again pleaded for the establishment
Of a commission similar to the Interstate
Commerce Commission within the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor, for the pur'
nose Of dealing with interstate industrial
companies. This body. he said. shou''
have power to license corporations so ell
gagged. and no license should be ISSUED I'M
I'll it was approved OF. After the ncehs'
had been received, full publicity or It's al
fairs should be made by each corporation
The punishment for an offender he added
should not be the placing or the company
I'm the hands Of a receiver, but the imprls
cnment of the company's responsible heads
In conclusion, he said:
The Republican party has stood for prog
ross for constructive work in Eauonal al
fairs for prosperity and the welfare o.
the people OF this country. We are abou
10 20 into another great national cdihPdlsII
The people, from one end OF the couhr!
10 the other. are aroused over WAY al
practical business questonsLtn1'e .a tbat III,
Marty that goes before the American peopII
NEXT fall with a constructive nolcy VII
be the party that Will win the coihuei''
and support Of the people.
Mr. I,ntermyer reiterated his belief In
federal commission for the control of truss
with power TO Ak prices OF commodities.
lie smoke OF the political power wielde'
nv railroads. and said that I'm many case
n extended TO the naming of judges anC
legislatures.
"sorne OF these public service commits
sions are merely anneXes to the railroads.
ho said. II do not think I need go fa
from where am TO ind one. | don't NEAR
this county at all"
These were the things, he said, tina
caused popular unrest