Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-02-22

the states must coo slerate In this mat
ter Among the states that have en-
tered this field Wis corsin has taken
leading place. Following Senator La
Toilette. q number Of practical work
ers and thinkers In Wisconsin have
turned that state into an experiment
al laboratory OF wise governmental ac'
ton in aid o. social and industries JUS
tice. They have initiated the kind OF
progressive government which means
not merely the preservation OF true
democracy. but the extension OF the
principle of true democracy into In
dustrialigm as well as into politics.
One prime reason why the state mas
been SO successful in this policy lies
In the fact that 1t has done justice to
corporations precisely as II has ex'
acted justice from them. -. MOI
only as a matter Of justice, but In our
own interest. we should scrupulously
respect the rights OF honest and de
cent business and should encourage IL
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
ls that big business give the people
square deal and that the people give
a square deal to any man engaged In
big business who honestly endeavors
to do what is right and proper.
ON the other hand. any corporation
big or little, which has gained its pc
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 It should be made the busi-
ness OF some competent governmental
body by constant supervision to see
that Il does not come together again
save sunder such strict control an to
insure the community against all dan
ger OF repetition OF the bad conduct.
The chief trouble with big business
has arisen from the fact that big
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
l did not give a 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 to 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. ON
GERS. No effort should be made to de-
stroy a big corporation merely be.
cause II. is big, merely because 1t has
shown itself a peculiarly efficient
business instrument. But we should
not fear, II necessary, to bring the
regulation OF big corporations to the
point OF controlling conditions 90 that
the waEe-worker shall have wage
more than sufficient to cover the bare
cost of living, and hours OF labor not
so 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 insuffi-
cient, we should not shrink from
bringing governmental regulation to
the point of control of monopoly prices
IL It should ever become necessary to
do SO, Just as in exceptional cases
railway rates are now regulated ;.
We grudge no man a 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 condt.
tons that fortune shall be obtained
only in honorable fashion, in such
fashion that Its gaining represents
benefit to the community.
In word, 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 a dol
lars worth OF service rendered. No
watering of stocks should be permit.
ted and It can be prevented only by
close governmental supervision OF all
stock issues, SO as to prevent over
capitalization.
We stand for the rights OF property.
hut we stand even more for the rights
orman. We will Is1.otect the rights or
the wealthy man. but we maintain
that he holds his wealth subject to the
general right of the community to
regulate its business use as the public
welfare requires.
We also maintain that the nation
and the several states have the right
10 regulate the terms and conditions
Of labor. which is the chief element OF
wealth. directly in the interest OF the
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