The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-01-30
GIG BUSINESS is AFTER WILSON

New Yorks big business" has
been really too busy since demo
cratic president. Woodrow Wilson,
has been elected, and especially since
the latter made his Chicago speech,
The attacks made on that speech are
not only surprising but are foolish.
Governor Wilson in that speech.
made a direct appeal to the con-
science, the patriotism. and the en-
frightened self-interest of big bust
ness" He sought to persuade rath-
er than compel. He specifically de-
clared against using the whip
There was no sign of Col. Roose-
velt's big stick" He resorted to
courteous and lucid argument in
stead. He tried to convince the men
of great affairs in this country that
it is not only for their countrys
good, but for their own interest as
we'll, that they should fall in line
with the predominant public senti-
ment and recognize that they owe a
duty to the entire people. He spoke
very plainly and firmly against
monopoly, and against control OF
credit by the money trust, and de-
clared that these things are not to
be endured. But he hoped that the
evil would be cured, not so much
under the whip and spur of the law,
as by the business men themselves.
If big business is devoid of con-
science and patriotism and intelli-
gence then Governor Wilson's plea
would naturally fall to the ground.
And that, judging from the cutlery
set up by most of the New York
newspapers, is where the plea has
fallen. Newspapers that united to
urge his nomination by the Balti-
more convention are now, Of a sud
den, found uniting to scOld and
satirize, and to patronize with in
sulting admonitions.
And, yet, as his seci ctary points
ont, Governor Wilson said nothing
at Chicago that he did not say re-
peatedly throughout the campaign.
What he said then pleased the
rank and file Of his party, and it
pleases them when he now repeats
it. What has come over the spirit
of his big business supporters in
New York? Did they imagine, when
they advocated his nomination,
when they were urging his election,
that he was speaking with forked
tongue? Did they judge that he
was trying to fool the American
people for whose support he was APP
pealing? The outcries they are now
raising naturally give rise to the
questions.
The one conclusion to be drawn
from the speeches OF Woodrow Will
son since election is that he means
to keeps the faith He means to
give the people what he promised he
would if elected He has made it
plain that he is anxious to do this
with just as little disturbance and
suffering as possible. He stands
ready to be a wise friend to big
business if only big business will
meet him half way by cleaning up
and making an honest effort to ''be
good" He would prefer to have it
that way, not merely for the sake of
the men of big affairs but in order to
not shake the stability and pros
perity of business conditions the
country over. 1t would be infinitely
the better way.
But there is another way, and
what grovels big business we sus-
pect, is that it is coming to believe
that, if necessary, President Wilson
will resort to it. If Wall Street will
not take it's hands Off the throat OF
the country's finances and industry
it must be compelled to do it. Ii it
will not voluntarily respect the laws
that now exist, and the laws that re-
main to be enacted. to insure the
people square deal. then the laws
penalties must be invoked.
Governor Wilson, like all sensible
men, would rather have peace than
war. But, as an honorable man, he
will insist that, that come peace or
come war, his administration and
his party keep the faith.-St. Joe
Observer.