Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-03

enty-hVe per cent are opposed 10 mold
ing companies. while of the remainder
nearly all want holding companies
bound by restrictions that would pre-
vent abuses.
Government regulation of capitaliz-
alton is approved by 30 per cent Of
those to whom that question was sub
mitted, few of the minority who dis
approve suggesting that over-capitaliz-
alton is not always an evil, but some
times brings capital into action that
would otherwise remain idle.
BIG BUSINESS ADVANTAGE.
Three important advantages claim
ed for those doing business Oh a large
scale-economies in production, econo-
mics in distribution and greater use Of
by-products-ar admitted without dis
sent by all who answer that query.
! 'Steadier employment of labor and at
better wages and better protection
against industrial accidents are de-
MED by 80 per cent, and more COM
mand of international trade and COM
mand of the best are doubted by 10
! per cent of those answering.
About so per cent favor an inter.
state industrial commission, some quail
/ flying with the condition that it should
be composed of business men only, and
two labor representatives proposing
that the commission should consist of
one member from each state-a sort
of interstate business senate.
I
are in favor of control of prices by an
industrial commission.
PUBLIC is AROUSED.
THE answers" the federation con-
tinues in its statement, leave no doubt
that the public is thoroughly aroused
to the vital importance of the prob
lens dealt with by the Sherman act
This condition of the public mind is
appreciated just as much by those
controlling great combinations of cap
ital as by the business men and the
wage Garner.
That business conditions are dis
turbed nearly every reply admits" the
federation declares. In the thous.
ands of replies received a large ma
jority assert that business conditions
are unsatisfactory. Enforcement OF
the Sherman law is most frequently
mentioned by business men as a dis
turbing cause, on the ground that they
do not understand the law, and that
the uncertainty as to it's meaning re
tards enterprise. makes capital hest
tate to enter upon new investments
and prompts those in charge OF bust
ness undertakings to restrict expendi
lures TO the absolute demands OF
trade.
ORGANIZED LABOR's STAND.
at is significant that the leaders OF
organized labor, representing 900 OOC
of wage earners, are practically unani
nous in demanding that the Sherman
antitrust act should be either repealed
or amended to exempt from its opera
tons organizations of labor and organ
izations of farmers. Many of them
however, argue for its amendment from
the standpoint of the business inter
ests. Their experience and training in
Organization work and their contact
with the employers of the country have
led them almost universally to the po
sition that too much competition is the
death OF trade Samuel Gompers, John
Mitchell. James Duncan, Warren s.
Stone, w. s. Carter, w G. Lee. James
NJ. Lynch, and a. B. Garretson all re
fleet this view.
Some labor organizations took 8
referendum vote on the QUESTIONABLE
and their answers were sent in under
official seal,
BANKERS AND MANUFACTURERS.
1T is interesting to note that the
manufacturers, bankers, wholesale and
retail merchants and also commercial
organizations that took a membership