The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-11-22
ENDEAVOR TOSOLVE
TRUST QUESTION.
Bureau Of Corporations Given New
Function in National Life-Will
Start Investigation.
LEGISLATORS ARE MISTAKEN
Tavenner Points Out Where Reviews
Already Secured Lacking in Data
Not Sufficient For Wilson
BY Congressman Clyde H. Tavenner.

By Congressman Clyde H. Tayenner.
Washington, November 22-Under
the Wilson administration the Bu-
reau of Corporations is being given a
new function in national life. Hereto
fore the bureau has been investigat~
ing and in it's report describing the
growth and existence of trusts. Now
it's attention is being turned toward
Investigating to find the best possible
solution of the trust question.
Some of the more ardent Democrats
in Congress have taken umbrage be-
cause the President is not content to
base his trust program on the results
of Congressional Investigations OF
trusts previously made. 1t has been
pointed out that these investigations
have cost the people thousands of
dollars, and that the findings OF the
various investigating committees
ought to give Congress enough data
to work upon.
These men, who are sincere AMI
honest, overlook the thoroughnsss
which is chief characteristic of MI,
Wilson. A noted educator, he natural
ly turns to the scientific practice of
finding out all the facts before draw
ing any conclusions. Congress has
made three important Investigations
Of trusts-that of the Steel Trust, the
Sugar Trust, and the study OF the
Money Trust. The Steel Trust hear
ings brought out the story of condi-
tons in that monopoly. The Money
Trust investigation was very
thorough and undoubtedly brought
out enough facts on which to base
the legislation which will pertain to
this phase .fthe trust question.
But it will not hurt for Congress to
have all the information possible
when proceeding to enact legislation.
There are doubtless many conditions
of monopoly which require curling
laws, but which did not appear in the
life of the Steel Trust 1t is to find
out these and other conditions that
the investigators Of the Bureau Of
corporations are to be sent into the
field. These investigators will look at
all phases of the trust question
whether monopoly is more efficient
than efficiency and weather it is bet
ter to permit monopoly under FEEDER
al regulation or to prohibit monopoly
altogether.
Lest any Democrats become fright
ened because the administration will
study the possibilities of regulation
for monopolies, it may be stated that
neither the President nor any of his
advisitors believes that the time has
come when the American people will
reject competition for any form OF
regulated but permitted monopoly.
The President and his advisors not
only believe in competition, but they
believe in jail sentences for those who
destroy competition. 1t is not regard
ed as likely that any study of regula-
ton Of trusts, either here or in Eu-
rope, will shake the administration
faith in the belief that industry can
exist in a state of competition. All
sides of the question will be studied,
however, and out of the legislation
ought to come great deal of public
enlightenment on the trust question.
Direct Government Popular
The recent elections showed that
the people do use the instruments Of
"direct government" initiative
and referendum-when these instru-
ments are given to the people to use,
according to figures which have just
been compiled by Judson King, sec
rotary of the National Popular Gov
eminent League.
According to these figures, the in
itiative and referendum were in Op-
Grafton in 10 state during the cleo
lions. The returns show that II per
cent of those who voted at all voted
on all the "a propositions submitted
for popular expression. On the most
important propositions 80 per cent Of
the voters cast ballots. Of the "a pro-
POSITIONS, SO were rejected and Al
adopted, showing popular discrimina-
ton. These figures seem to quiet the
fears of former President Taft and
others that popular government
L. 49,