Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1912-02-22

governmental rsgu1at1on q Nc busa-
ness which 10 needed. The nation and
the states must cooperate in this mat
ter. Among the states that have On.
tered this feld Wisconsin has taken q
leading place. Following Senator la
Toilette, . number Of practical work
era and thinkers IN Wisconsin have
turned that state into an experiment.
/ al laboratory Of wise governmental 90
ton In aid Of social and industrial jus.
tice. They have initiated the hind Of
progressive government which means
not merely the preservation Of true
democracy, but the extension Of tho
principle Of true democracy into in
dustrialism a. we'll 90 into politics.
One prime reason why the state has
been 30 successful in this policy lies
in the fact that 1t has done Justice to
corporations precisely ~ It has ex-
acted Justice from them. >. Not
only as q matter Of Justice. but In our
own interest, we should scrupulously
respect the rights Of honest and de-
cent business and should encourage 1t
where its activities make, as they
often do make. for the common good.
It IL for the advantage of all of US
when business prospers. Our demand
ts that big business give the people a
square deal and that the people give
square deal to any man engaged in
big business who honestly endeavors
to do what ia, right and proper.
| On the other hand. any corporation.
big or little, which has gained its po-
sition by unfair methods and by in
reference with the rights Of others.
which has raised prices or limited
output In improper fashion and been
guilty OF demoralizing and corrupt
practices. should not only be broken
up, but 1t should be made the bust
ness Of some competent governmental
body by constant supervision to see
that 1t does not come together again,
save under such strict control as to
insure the community against all dan
ger Of repetition of the bad conduct.
The chief trouble with big business
business has SO often refused to abide
by the principle of the square deal;
the. opposition which personally
have encountered from big business
has in every case arisen not because
did not give q square deal but be-
cause did.
Proper Governmental Control.
All business into which the element
OF monopoly In any way or degree en-
ters. and where 1t proves In practice
impossible totally 10 eliminate this ele-
ment OF monopoly. should be carefully
supervised. regulated and controlled
by governmental authority; and such
control should be exercised by admin
istrative. rather than by judicial, Off
GERS. No effort should be made to de-
stroy a big corporation merely be-
cause 1t is big, merely because 1t has
shown itself Peculiarly efficient
business instrument. But we should
not fear. II necessary, to bring the
regulation Of big corporations to the
point of controlling conditions so that
the wage-worker shall have wage
more than sufficient to cover the bare
cost Of living, and hours of labor not
30 excessive as to wreck his strength
by the strain Of unending toll and
leave him unfit to do his duty as q
good citizen Of the community Where
regulation by competition (Which is.
of course. preferable) proves INSULT
cient, we should not shrink from
bringing governmental regulation to
the point of control OF monopoly prices
II 1t should ever become necessary to
do 80. just as In exceptional cases
railway rates are now regulated.
We grudge no man fortune which
represents his own power and sagacity
exercised with entire regard to the
welfare Of his fellows. We have only
praise for the business man whose
business success comes as an Incl
dent to doing good work for his fel
lows. But We should SO shape condi
tions that fortune shall be obtained
only in honorable fashion, in such
fashion that Its gaining represents
benefit to the community.
In a word,t then, our fundamental
purpose must be to secure genuine
equality of opportunity. No man
should receive dollar unless that dol
lar has been fairly earned. Every dol
lar received should represent dol
lars worth of service rendered. Nc
watering of stocks should be permit
ted; and 1t can be prevented only by
close governmental supervision of al
stock Issues, SO as to prevent over
capitalization.
We stand for the rights of property
of man. We will protect the rights Of
the wealthy man, but we maintain
that he holds his wealth subject to the
general right of the community tt
regulate its business use as the public
welfare requires.
We also maintain that the natior
and the several states have the righ
to regulate the terms and condition:
of labor, which Is the chief element o.
wealth, directly in the interest Of The
common good. You. trainers Of thit
constitution, be careful so to frame Il
that under 1t the people shall leave
themselves free to do whatever ii
necessary in order to help the farmer,
of the state to get for themselves ant
their wives and children not only The
benefits of better farming but alst
these of better business methods ant
better conditions of life on the farm
Moreover, shape your constitutional
action 80 that the people will be able