The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-02-03
BUSINESS IS NOT
To Be DISTURBED
Democrats Promise Not to Make
Any Radical Changes

Henry Clews' letter of Saturda,
SAYS.
The public mind is still backward
ia recognizing that many of the un
favorable conditions which have pre-
vailed for weeks past have been am
ply discounted. Politics. tariff ant
trusts are problems which have beer
with us for years. Agitation has beer
intense. Those most aggressive in this
direction were partially successful at
the last election. and the new admin
istration viii somewhat reflect their
opinions. We have however, the
uromisc of those who will control dur
ing the next four years not TO disturb
business by too radical changes. That
promise has been made by men whose
word is of value II is but fair To ex-
poet that these promises will be ear
red out.
SO far as the trusts are concerned,
IL is not likely that any more radical
action will be taken by the new adj
minstration than By the old. Mr..
wilson's attorney general cannot en-
force The sherman law any more Wig
orously than Mr.. Wickersham and his
predecessors have done. Furthermore,
the supreme court has supported and
Interpreted that piece Of legislation
ana many OF our great corporations
have already adjusted themselves to-
it's requirements Others are Joining
The procession, SO that the worst has
been experienced in this direction, and
there is no longer any serious anxiety
i'm this respect Trust managers
know what TO expect That we are
now working away from monopolistic
tendencies is matter Of encourage
nent rather than depression; for the
openings for new enterprises on a |
moderate scale viii multiply ana the
country has been at least partially |
relieved from one of It's most menac-
ing social and political dangers-that |
of domination by a number of indus
trial monopolics.
on the tariff question. the acute
Stage - about over During the last
two weeks a number OF hearings have
been held in Washington. where the
various protected Industries have been
able 10 put on record their pleas for
continued protection. This week the
hearings were closed on the wool and
cotton schedulrs--thc two hottest
POINTS of dispute in the entire tariff.
Judging from the hest obtainablc in
formation. also by the course Of the
hearings. while considerable cuts will |
hc made i'm the schedules. none will he
that mean serious disturb
apce. such changes as are made will
AFFECT only a few isolated industries.
1t can now DE taken for granted that
TO revision will be- enforced that is
likely To- have any general effect upon
trade az large. Revenue necessities
alone viii prevent any drastic changes
IN Aprr next the tariff will come up
for debate in the House, when its ef-
feet upon public opinion may again
prove greater than its Importance de-
serves. Nevertheless, the fact re-
mains that only a few special indus
tries viii be- affected by tariff revi-
sion. and these contingencies have
Leon fully discounted
Concerning politics in general, itl
should hc remembered that much OF
the present agitation comes from wha'
is called social unrest, The latter Is
a complex problem ard springs from
various sources Its main Indictment,
however, rs the wage question. arising
from the present high cost Of living.
The latter is being slowly albeit pain
fully adjusted In some cases prices
are ie,lining particularly of food
products, as result Of last years
Hcnehcent harvest. In other cases re-
lief rs being partially effected through
wage concessions where the scale OF
pay has been particularly low. I'll
should be- noted that most Of the Ia
bur troubles are in the ranks of low
paid tabor business In general con-
tnues active IN spite Of surface dis
couragemcut Distribution is active
and mills as 81 rule are still running
fuil time. Barring q slight and not
unexpected slowing down in the iron
trade. there is no important diminu-
ti0n of business activity. our for
cign trade continues large the heavy
outward movement of grain being an
feature. Clearing house
returns and railroad earnings continue
iucontrovcrtble testimony as to the
large volume of trade In the Soc
ond week Of January bank clcarings
~ an cities Of the United States were
|