El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-31
FEW ASK REPEAL
OF SHERMAN Law
Sixteen Thousand Replies
Received to Civic Fed
Grafton Questions.

New York. n Y. jan 31-The Ma
tional Civic Federation has made pub
lie an analysis OF 5000 answers re
ceiTed by IL to a series Of questions
concerning the Sherman antitrust law
The analysis OF the answers is summed
up by the federation as follows:
The replies indicate little sentiment
in favor OF the unconditional repeal Of
the Sherman law. On the other hand
it is shown that there is practically No
desire to abolish large combinations
The people have no desire for gov
eminent ownership on one side. or IN
restricted and unregulated private OF
corporate control on the other. They
VIII accept large combinations ade-
quetely regulated
The questions were sent to editors
political economists lawyers pubH-
cists, statisticiaus, manufacturers, mer-
chants. bankers and the Officers OF
commercial, labor and other organi-
cations.
Going into detail regarding the re-
plies, the federation says:
Eighty-f0ur percent Of the answers
pronounce the Sherman law neither
clear nor workable or workable with
out being clear; but only some 20 per-
cent declare in favor Of its repeal. OF
Lhese latter the larger number add
that If not repealed. It should be
amended etc. Substantially the usual
phraseOlOgy OF suggestions for amend
Ing the Sherman law is-'make it so
that business men can understand it.
or bring ii into line with modern
business conditional
Eighty percent OF the replies favor
federal license. or incorporation for
companies engaged in interstate COM
mercer ABOUT one-Lhird Of the so per-
sent taking favor federal license
as an alternative. SeVenty-fiTe per
cent are opposed to holding companies,
while OF the remainder, nearly all want
noldlng companies bound by restric-
tons that would prevent abuses.
Government regulation Of capitali-
zation IS approved by 80 percent Of
tnose 70 whom the question was sub
mitteo, few OF the majority who dis
approve suggesting that over capitaH-
1etlon IS not always an evil, but some
times brings capital into action that
would otherwise remain idle
Three important advantages
claimed for those doing business en- q
large scale-econOmies in production.
economics in distribution and greater
use OF by products-are admitted with
out dissent by ali who answer that
query .Steadier employment Of labor
and at better wages and better pro-
lection against Industrial accidents
are denied by IS percent and more
command OF international trade and
command Of the best ability are
doubted by 10 percent OF those answer
ing
ABOUT 80 percent favor an inter
state industrial commission, some
qualifying with the condition that IL
should be composed Of business men
only, and two labor Representative
proposing that the commission should
consist OF one member from each state
"a sort or Interstate business senate.
comparatively small proportion
are IN IaFor Of control OF prices BY an
Industrial commission.
That business conditions are dis
! uIDeo nearly, every reply admits" the
federation declares In the thousands
OF replies received a large majority as
sert that business conditions are m
So lis1aclory ana enforcement of the
on erTnan law is most frequently men
uOned D. busine 5 men as a disturb
ing cause, on the ground that they do
not understand the law. and that the Z
uncertainty as 10 It's meaning retards (
enter Prise makes capital hesitate to q
enter upon new investments. and I
pr olnpIs those In charge OF business {
to restrict experiences 70 /
Rbor on the demands Of trade
It is significant that the leaders Of 2
y gained labor representing 100000 &
II wage earners are practically unan- 4
nous IN demanding that the Sherman \
antitrust act should be either repealed /
y amended 70 exempt from its opera
ions organizations Of labor and or
5anlzauOns Of farmers. Many OF them /
mis- STANDPOINT OF the business inter F.
.sts.
Their experience and training on I
organization work and their contract (
With the employers OF the country have 4
ca them almost universally 20 the DO I
iuon that too much competition is the
leath Of trade.