The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-09-09
A STRENUOUS PROGRAMME.

1t appears from the Washington dis
patch yesterday morning that very
extensive and far-reaching programme
Of legislation has been determined upon
by the Democratic leaders. In a good
many of its phases, it appears to be
carrying out quite the old Populistie
clamor. 1t is, in effect. a proposition
TO cripple or to Jail every one who
undertakes any large business opera.
ton. And that there shall be no mis-
take about the matter, it is stated that
President Wilson has demanded that
this programme of legislation be put
through "between now and the end of
the regular session Of Congress, that
is to say, in about one year from this
time.
The tariff bill it is expected, will be
disposed Of in a day or two. Currency
legislation will then follow, antitrust
legislation and important amendments
TO the railroad laws are to be among
the first and most important features
taken up at the regular session of Con
gress beginning next December, 1t is
stated that the influence of Republi,
cans as we'll as the Democrats will be
extended for the Fmore adequate regu-
lation Of the trusts,
And so we are in for a season Of
agitation and terroriZing of "big bust
ness" tt is not jolly outlook for
those who would see the country grow
and strengthen its position among the
nations of the earth 1t is not a cheer
for their country and would be glad
to see the Great Republic of North
America become the great overpower-
ing nation Of the world
But this sort Of legislation was bound
to be tried and it might as well be
tried by the Democratic party as any.
If it works out to the satisfaction Of
the people, undoubtedly the people will
support it, and the result will be as it
may. But it is an uncertain outlook.
in their might and stop progress in
that direction, if that progress does
not suit them.
1t is an anomalous proposition that
we are facing. Every community glad
ly sees big businesses established in
1T; and every community is glad when
some man Of large ideas and extensive
means takes hold and builds up tire.
mendous business activities, industrial
and otherwise. But as soon ms these
activities become conspicuouslv strong.
then there is demand that they should
be curtailed OF suppressed. Tt is the
working Of inherent traits antagonistic
In human minds and to human prog
ress. Philosophically considered. we
merely pass from one viewpoint to an
other, we try various experiments at
the popular demnad, and if we find
them good, then all is well. If bad
devastation comes for time, as under
the Cleveland administration of 1893
and the people apply the corrective at
the first opportunity, and that is the
duty of the people in a popular gov
ernment.
Politicians may experiment as much
as they like, and adventitious circum.
stances may give wild policies their play
for while, but the people come down
upon politicians and political ideas with
smashing force when these political
ideas fail to work as the politicians
promised they would, for the advantage
of the people and the communities.
We are evidently in for various ex-
perimental schemes. which their pro.
moters assure the country viii be i'm.
mensely profitable to the people at large
and advantageous to the republic as
whole: but charlataus are sometimes
found in position to carry out untried