The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1913-07-25

The business men of the country ar
organizing what is known as the Cham
Der of Commerce Of the United States
It's purpose is to protect the American
business man frem the unjust attacks
TO which he has been subjected in til.
last ten years. The head Of this organ
ization, discussing its plans before the
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
charged the daily and periodical press
with cultivating popularity by assault
ing business. He said that public senti.
ment was first aroused against the rail-
froads and has since been extended TO
include the industrial life OF the nation
and the profession Of banking He is
quoted further as saying that popular
sentiment has it that all who have been
successful in the accumulation of wealth
have become SO by predatory means
and that rottenness underlies the entire
commercial fabric Of the nation"
| Since the gentleman chooses the rail-
roads as the point at which unfair at
tacks originated some ten years ago, it
may be well to consider the results OF
the ten years agitation. And, first, let
it be admitted that some Of the legisla-
ton OF which the railroads complain is
drastic. Yet ten years ago the practice
Of rebating was carried on highland
edly by the railroads. II was vicious
and cruel custom. It destroyed honest
business. 1t wrecked many an honest
business man. Would any organiza-
ton Of reputable business men under
take to restore rebating2 There is not
an honest business man in the country
but reioices that that practice has been
abolished. There isn't business crook |
stupid enough to come forth openly and |
advocate its revival.
Ten years ago almost every railroad
Of any importance had legislative
agent at the State capital in the coun-
try. II had its tools ia almost every
city council. BY means Of its so-caIled
bondsmen and minor attorneys, retained
by an annual pass, II maintained an
political organization. The
political boss from the forks Of the
sreek" was q welcome visitor to the
Offices Of the railroads
general counsel in the dull, acquies-
;ent days Of ten years ago. Would the
lonest business man revive the era OF
,etty levies to which he was subjected .
'efore aroused public sentiment forced
be railroad out Of politics2 "a
Vet, despite public vigilance regard :
ng railroads, some remarkable events
ave occurred in this decade Of popular [
ostiEity and tyranny. The people have
cen railroad magnates develop into
1ultimilIionaires, while the property /.
ley managed became bankrupt. How
las that done2 And how is 1t possible I.
,r railroad president or chairman Of
board to serve the interests OF his !
and at the same time pru- 4
entity to care for his own interest, say, 4
J holder Of steel trust securities? Is !.
Ae railroad magnate the only shining \
xception to the moral inability that 4
reyents faithful service to two mastersg
AS a result of ten years agitation we 4
ave stopped the corporations from G
nancing political campaigns. We have i
assed blue-sky" laws. We have =
ome to regard the watering Of stock )
] larceny. We have put an end to the 4
oisonous adulteration Of foodstuffs, Z
I'D we Insist that the label on the goods :.
,aIl in part tell the truth. We have &
anished the liveried servants Of special 4
lterests from official life. And the :
ress looks upon al this and beholds s
good. =
The statement that popular sentiment z
all success as dishonest is IN =
,rrect. Il seems to US to be the rant y
g Of demagogue. But there is 6
opular sentiment il this country that n
shonest business shall not prosper here =
ith public approval. And il the Cham y
sr Of Commerce 81 the United States :.
il work to that end its appearance 10
d field will Be welcomed. ST Louis
...., Mi.