The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-01-06


ly strained, but so far without impair
ment. There is really, in some re-
spects, more confidence at the close
of the year than at the opening, and
if anything is needed for complete
restoration it is absolute rest from
the marrying and inquisitorial attitude
which Congress has seen fit to adopt
toward business for the purpose of
pleasing constituents at home.
Political And Social Unrest
There is one influence affecting bus
mess that should not be overlooked,
1t may or may not become a seriously |
disturbing influence, but 1t is sure to
be a vital force in new legislation for |
some time to come. The social uplift |
which is now going on is not move
ment to be ignored Those at the
bottom of the social ladder are fight
ing for a better chance, and they are
going to have it, as they rightfully
should Their determination to secure
a larger share of the general output
has been immensely stimulated by the
phenomenal growth of unwieldy for
tunes in this country, not to speak of
the often vulgar and ostentatious dis
play of wealth which has naturally
created undesirable class antagonism.
These swollen fortunes, it is thorough
ly appreciated, have only been made
possible through past misgovernment
and legislative privileges in one form
or another. Such privileges have
| fostered monopoly, and an inordinate
| concentration of capital. The discon-
/ tent bred from such conditions has
r been materially aggravated by the
B. congestion Of population in our great
= cities. and the radical tendencies of
: foreign population. which either can
e not or will not take itself to the farm
i or the smaller city, where there is a
e better demand for unskilled labor than
l. in our great cities. The various abus-
|, es arising from these conditions have
d created strong and disturbing senti-
G ment against capital, especially in the
= form of great corporations. This is
e shown by the overwhelming public
n support given the Sherman law, and
2. the popular approval of recent Gov
y ernmental efforts to regulate cor
y porate affairs. This determination tC
e regulate business more freely means
ID that the country must be prepared fol
20 widening of Government activities
)r in business affairs, whether on mu
ic nicipal, state or national lines. 1
e. is to be hoped that this tendency will
e. be inteligently guided and kept with
H. in the limits of moderation. Govern
IL ment ownership is un-American ant
co destructive of both national and ind
ct vidual liberty and progress. Wis
of regulation may solve many of tn
~, problems of the day, and our financia
M and industrial leaders will do well t
IN set themselves in haromny with an
to not against the popular will. Thi
pc will be good business quite as niue
ed, as good politics. The Interstate Con
lty merce Commission and many of OF
lat public service commissions have a
a ready proved their usefulness as
he means of protection not only to tt
he public but also to corporations ar
lw- investors.
I'VE OF late there has been a decide
ret, tendency to curtail legislative priv
raj leges. The check imposed upon m
on nopoly by the Sherman law and Il
ms proposed curtailment of excessi
us protection by a reduction of the tar
are the first steps in this directio
9Th It is quite certain that privileges
ties. this character will hereafter be We
the difficult, if not impossible, to secul
Ign The trust movement has reached
city zenith, and monopoly must hereaft
tlal choose between facing competition
ad- rigid Governmental regulation. Aft
ems a little experience with the latter,
OF will probly prefer the former.
What the final outcome of prest
tendencies will be cannot be foreto
Great changes have taken place in
lei past twenty years, during which {
Ill Industrial system has been complet
revolutionized. The large corporal
is here to stay So, too, is its CO
i 10 terpart, the union. Both have n
your used, nay, grossly abused their or
snsi- power to the public detriment. B
BAN have too MANY points of exceller
and vitality to be eliminated. B
rub should be obliged to obey the law
~ submit to more rigid control.
[igh- ready capital has been obliged to
/ do render its monopoly power. and la