Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-08


nations.
This phase of the situation the
Democratic platform does not go
into, and the other phases Of the
high cost Of living, due to the great
er cheapness of money and to the
greater reward to the producing
classes. the Democratic platform
does not seem to comprehend.
70 lay to the Republican party
the blame for the conditions which
exist all over the world is an abb
syrdity.
And to fail to have a constructive
plank on one of the most impor-
tant issues before this country and
all other countries is an evidence of
ignorance and incapacity
A further evidence Of ignorance
and incapacity is exhibited in the
antitrust plank, the third plank Of
the Democratic platform. The poll
Icy of the Democratic party is APP
parentIy Mr. Tafts policy of en-
forced competition, the policy
which proved so disastrous to bust
ness and so absolutely valueless
to the consuming public when
pressed to its ultimate conclusion
under the Taft administration.
The dissolution of the Oil trust
and the Tobacco trust resulted in
no benefit to the consumer what
ever
1t resulted only in an apparent
advantage to these companies and
an enormous increase in the value
of their securities.
Competition has not been re-
stored because competition can not
be compelled.
Prices have not been reduced,
but, on the contrary. have been in
creased.
The only advantage to business,
or to the community. has come
through certain security and sta
biIity to those business interests
affected, and certain confidence
due to the conviction that thew are
now conducting their combination
along legal lines.
Nothing, however, has been ac-
complished for the consuming pub
lie, and nothing will be accom-
plished until the government is en-
powered to supervise and regulate
the formation of combinations and
further empowered to fix prices.
The fundamental importance of
TINS fact is not recognized or I'M
derstood by the Democrats who
wrote the platform at Baltimore.
and the platform has no practical
constructive policy in this third i'm
portant issue before our country.
The fourth plank in the Demo-
cratic platform discusses states
rights.
There has been considerable Dem
ocratc cutlery about the invasion
OF states rights and very little to
justify the outcry. The rights of
the states and the Federal govern
ment are very clearly defined bv the
constitution.
The Federal influence can only
proceed to a certain point
In many cases it ought, for the
benefit of the whole community. to
be able to proceed further.
But it will not be able to proceed
further on account of the very def
mite restrictions of the constitution.
TO take a concrete example. there
can be state incorporation acts and
Federal incorporation acts for the
regulation and supervision Of
trusts But the state Incorporation
acts can be made to apply only to
combinations existing and operat
Ing within the state, while the Fed
eraI incorporation act can only APP
ply to trusts and combinations en-
gagged in interstate commerce.
OF course. all trusts and combi-
nations engaged in interstate COM
merce should be compelled to 60
under the Federal corporation act
for the sake of uniformity and to
prevent them from taking advan-
tage of the lax laws Of certain
states to the injury of the commu-
nifty,
Still, with all the advantages Of
Federal incorporation, trusts and
combinations operating merely
within the state can not be COM
PEELED to come under such an act.
Therefore, obviously enough. the
field and the power of Federal and
states rights are clearly and suti-