The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-08-10
Press Comment

Cooperstown Courier: The action of
the committee of the third party con-
Vention held in Fargo two weeks ago in
barring out prominent men around the
state because they were friendly to l..
B. Hanna, is generally criticised by the
press of the state as being a wrong at
tttude to take On the part of that com-
mittee. A more vigorous, harmonious
third party campaign could have been
launched a u swallowed his dis
ike for Hanna and allowed the con-
ventton to endorse presidential dele
gates and send them to Chicago. Many
yention are better progressives and
better workers for the cause than is
Lauder and time will sustain our CON
tention on this point.
Seattle acknowledgement: One of
the questions of profound interest to all
thoughtful men at the present time is
why such men as George w. Perkins
trusts are backing Theodore Roosevelt
in the present campaign, to such an ex-
tent they have already spent $2,000,0 900
on his behalf, and are evidently prepar-
ed to spend several millions more.
There is an explanation, plausible at
least and quite probably true. Mr..
Perkins for some time past has been
devoting his hne talents to the work
of influencing public opinion to take
what he considers to be a more ration
al view of the trust problem. He con
siders, as do many men who haye Civ
en- economic questions broad study, that
the underlying principles behind trust
organization If generally adopted, would
result in an economic development OF
value to the world. Taking the Stand
ard Oil Co. rs a typical instance, 1t is
easy to show that this organization has
effected splendid economics in produce
ton, transportation and distribution,
through which 1t has cheapened great
ly the cost of its products to the con-
sumner, while at the same time reaping
enormous profits to itself. In so doing,
however, It used methods which cam
not be condoned-violated the statute
law, took unfair advantages Of its COM
| petitors and the consumers, and incur
red an immense amount of popular obi
UNI, and thus has been largely respon-
sible for the whole antitrust agitation.
That agitation has taken the form
of a movement to destroy the trusts
entirely. Thus. IN the opinion Of such
men as Mr.. Perkins, the real benefits OF
full and expensive methods of operation
n distribution are to be restored, and
a substantial injury done to the eco
nomic development Of this country, to
the beneft of other countries, who win
not use such rasttc methods.
Colonel Roosevelt Is a man OF great
force n wonderful personal popular
tty. His following Is largely among
the more radical OF the people, and with
them he has commanding influence, He
is, however, a superficial thinker In
many respects, and is willing to take
his opinions from those in whom he be-
leves as he took his opinions on the
subject of the conservation of natural
resources from Clifford Pinchot.
Mr.. Perkins has converted Colonel
Roosevelt to his view that the trust
/ system should not be destroyed; that
the best portions of 1T should be retain
ed, and that the public should be pro-
tenn of regulating h trusts, particu-
tarly through a federal bureau. The
latter suggestion makes a special ap-
peal to Colonel Roosevelt, who is moss
heartily favorable to bureaucratic gov.
eminent, highly centralized.
Through the great influence which
Colonel Roosevelt exercises on his fol
lowers, 1t is undoubtedly the hope Of
mates who work with him, but more
under cover, that q public sentiment
may be created favorable to the Per.
kins plan of regulation rather than the
Colonel Roosevelt can create this pub.
lie sentiment among h extremely radi.
cal element which looks to him fol
an abandonment of trust busting" al
q national pastime, and the adoption OF
a system Of trust regulation, through
federal bureaus, always fairly easy tt
control.
While there may have been hope a.
the start to secur the nomination o,
Roosevelt by the republican convention
anO MS SIeCLlOn as preS1QenG, mis- use.
fulness to Mr.. Perkins and to those wht
think as he does is not destroyed 81
his defeat. He still remains and vii
remain, eve after his final defeat II
the fall election, the best medium
through which to induce a public &C.
ceptance of the views Of Mr.. Perkin,
on the methods of dealing with tn,
trusts. Tt is worth spending a few mil,
lion dollars to secure this, so there viii
always be plenty of money to finance
the co1onel's campaigns.