Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-02-01

New York Jan. 31.--The National
Civic Federation today made public
an analysis of $4,000 answers received
by it to a series of questions concern
ing the Sherman Law The analysis
of the answers is summed up by the
Federation as follows:
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 ownership, on
one side, or unrestricted and unregu-
lated private or corporate control on
the other. They will accept large
combinations adequately regulated"
The questions were sent to editors,
political economists, lawyers, pub
lcists, statisticians, manufacturers,
merchants, bankers and the officers of
commercial, labor and other organiza-
tions. AS introductory to the ques
lions it was pointed out that the
Sherman Antitrust Act has now
been Interpreted by the Supreme
Court to mean, as to interstate COM
merce that any combination in. re-
straint of trade with the purpose of
controlling prices and sitting com
petition is unlawful"
Going into detail regarding the re-
plies the Federation says Eighty
four per cent. of the answers pro-
nounce the Sherman Law neither
clear nor workable, or workable with
out being clear: but only some twenty
per cent. declare in favor of it's re-
peal. OF these latter the larger num-
Der add that If not repealed, it
should be amended. etc. Substan
TALLY, the usual plraseology of sug-
gestions for amending the Sherman
Law is-Inake il SO that business
men can understand It, or bring it
into line with modern business condi-
tons
Eighty per cent. Of the replies
favor Federal license or Incorporation
for companies engaged in interstate
commerce, about one-third of the
eighty taking Federal license as an
alternative. SeVentyfive per cent.
are opposed to holding companies,
while of the remainder nearly all want
holding companies bound by restric-
tions that would prevent abuses.
Government regulation of capitall-
cation is approved by ninety per cent.
OF those to whom that question was
submitted, d few of the minority who
disapprove suggesting that over capt.
taiization is not always an evil, but
sometimes brings capital into action
that would otherwise remain idle.
Three important advantages
claimed for those doing business on a
large scale-eeonomies in production,
economies in distribution and greater
use of -products-are admitted
without dissent by all who answer
that query. 'Steadier employment of
labor and at better wages and bet
ter protection against industrial ac-
cidents, are denied BY thirty-fiye per
cent, and more command of internal
tional trade and command of the best
ability are doubted by ten per cent.
of those answering.
About eighty per cent. favor an
Interstate Industrial Commission,
some qualifying with the condition
that it should be composed of bust
ness men only, and two labor repre-
sentatiyes proposing that the Com
mission should consist of one mem
Der from each state-a sort of Inter-
state Business Senate.
"A comparatively small proportion
are in favor of control of prices by ar
Industrial Commission.
The answers" the Federation con-
tinues in its statment. leave no doubt
that the public is thoroughly aroused
TO the vital Importance of the prob
lens dealt with by the Sherman Act.
rms condition of the public mind is
appreciated just as much by those
controlling great combinations of