The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-01-31
National Civic Federation Questions
Men Of All Classes and Analy-
res Answers
LAW TOO VAGUE AS IT STANDS
Business Men Complain They do
Not Understand Meaning
---Rctards Business


tional Civic Federation today made
public an analysis of 10000 an
swers received by 1t to a series OF
questions concerning the Sherman
law. The analysis of the answers Is
| summed up by the Federation as fol-
| lows.
THE replies indicate little senti-
ment In favor of the unconditional
| repeal Of the Sherman law. On the
other hand 1t is shown that there is
! practically no desire to abolish
large combinations The public
have no desire for government own
ership on one side, or unrestricted
| and unregulated private or corporate
control on the other. They will ac-
cept large combinations adequately
regulated"
| All Glasses Represented.
The questions were sent to edi-
tors, political economists, lawyers,
publicists, statisticians, manufac-
| turers, merchants, bankers and the
officers OF commercial, labor and
| other organ cations. AS introduc-
try to the questions it was pointed
out that "the Sherman Antitrust
Act has now been interpreted Ing the
Supreme court to mean, as to inter-
state commerce, that any combina-
tion in restraint of trade with the
purpose of controlling prices and
sitting competition is unlawful"
Going into detail regarding the
| replies the Federation says: "Eigh-
ty-four per cent of the answers pro-
nounce the Sherman law neither
| clear nor workable, or workable
without being clear; but only some
Twenty per cent declare in favor of
its repeal OF these latter, the larg-
er number add that If not repealed,
lit should be amended etc. Substan-
TALLY, the usual phraseology of sug-
gestions for amending the Sherman
| law is, Make it so that business
men can understand it. Or, bring
1t into line with modern business
conditions
Federal License Wanted
Eighty per cent of the replies
favor Federal lcense or incorpora-
tion for companies engaged in In
terstate commerce, about one-third OF
the eighty taking Federal license as
an alternative. Seventy-fve pei
cent are opposed to holding com
panies, while of the remainder near.
ly all want holding companies bound
by restrictions that would prevent
abuses.
Government regulation of CAPT
: talization is approved by ninety pei
cent of those to whom that question
, was submitted, few of the minor
. ity, who disaprove suggesting thai
over-capitalization is not always
an evil, but sometimes brings CAPT
tai into action that would otherwise
remain idle.
Three Advantages Claimed.
II "Three important advantages
Manned ifor those dong business
, on a large scale-economics In pro
duction, economics In distribution
and greater use of by-products--ar'
admitted without dissent by all whit
answer that query. 'Steadier EN-
, ployment of labor and at bette
, wages and better protection
against industrial accidents, ar
denied by thirty-five per cent an
more command of internationa
trade and command Of the best ar
doubted by ten per cent of those an
swerinG.
"About eighty per cent favor a.
Interstate Industrial Commission
some qualifying with the condition
: that 1t should be composed of bust
!, ness men only, and two labor repre-
7 sentatives proposing that the Com
0 mission should consist of one mem
ber firm each state--a sort of Inter
state Business Senate.
Few for Industrial Commission
"A comparatively small proper
tion are in favor of control OF price
by an Industrial Commission.
"The Answers. the Federatio
continues In its statement, ''leav