Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-01-17
Wilson Talks To Business Men.

PreSldent-elect woodrow Wilson in speech
before the Commercial Club of Chicago las
Saturday night.
Mr.. Wilson laid down four main things
necessary to be done for the common good
First Of these he placed conservation o
natural resources. In this connection ht
promised that under his administration
the water power, timber rights and min.
eral deposits under the control of the Gov
eminent will be opened to the use of al
who will use them for the common good
and opened on equal terms to all.
Honest men are at a disadvantage,
Mr.. Wilson said. because business meth.
DDS are not trusted.
1t is up to the business men of America
he declared, to see to it that they so con.
duct their business as to restore public
confidence.
The third essential he said, is that the
credit of the country must be at the dis
posal of everybody on equal terms.
He reiterated, amid laughter and ap-
plause. his belief that credit is refused tc
and capital withheld from those who are
not on certain intimate terms with the
great masters Of capital.
Governor Wilson declared that success
of enterprise depended upon the opening
up to the rank and file of the nation not
only its physical resources but the bust
ness credit as well.
Men had testified under oath, he said
to the existence Of an Inner circle" by
which credit was obtainabIe to the ex-
clusion Of those against whom that Inner
circle" sought to discriminate. He then
went on to say:
Il am not drawing an indictment against
the banking system. That already has been
convicted. But do refer to the basis of
credit in business. | tell you frankly that
if permitted my thoughts to dwell upon
the responsibility that will fall upon me |
would be daunted. ! came here to ask
your counsel and assistance.
The business future of this country
does not depend on the Government of the
United States; it is dependent upon the
business men. The Government cannot
breed temper. it cannot generate thought
and purpose.
Things done under the whip of the law
are done sullenly, somewhat reluctantly
and never successfully. The hope Of
America is the changing attitude of the
business men toward the things they have
to handle in this country.
Il want 10 take sternness out Of this
country. | want to see suspicion dissi-
pated. want to see the time brought
about when the rank and file of the citi-
zens of the United States who have
stern attitude toward the business men of
the country shall be absolutely done away
with and forgotten.
Perfectly honest men are now at a dis
advantage in America because business
methods in general are not trusted by the
people taken as a whole. That is unjust
10 you; it is unjust TO everybody with
whom business deals and everybody whom
JuSlneSS tOucneS.
in the United States they do not be-
level mean the rank and file of our
PEOPLE do not believe-that men of every
lind are upon an equality in their access
o the resources of the country any more
han they believe that everybody is upon
,qual terms in his access to the justice of
he country. 1t is believed in this country
hat poor man has less chance to get
ustice administered to him than rich
nan. God forbid that that should be gen.
rally true.
And then, in addition to all this. we
must see to it that the business of the
United States is set absolutely free of
every feature Of monopoly"
Here Governor Wilson paused, looked
about the banquet room and then added
Il notice you do not applaud that |
am somewhat disappointed because I'M
ess you feel that way the thing is not
going to happen except by duress, which
is the worst way to bring anything about,
DCNduoC tuClC VIII NC III
until there are no important bust
ness men who do not intend to bring it
about. know that when they are talking
about that they say there is not anybody
in the United States who ever intended to
set up a monopoly. But know there are
some gentlemen who did deliberately 60
a hout to cot IN unononolu Wa Lnnu, thot
they intended to do it because they did it.
II don't care how big a particular bust
ness gets, provided it grows big in contact
with sharp competition. and know that
business based upon genuine capital which
has not drop of water in it can be con-
Quoted with greater efficiency and economy
than business that is loaded with water"
Those who feared the reduction or re-
moval of the tariff shelter for business
came in for some characteristic ridicule.
You can't have prosperity personally
knows enough to be trustees for the rest.
IF only the crooks tried TO circumvent
the law. very much less law would be
necessary" was one of the phrases that
evoked applause.
The American people are now in the
temper Of those who set up institutions
under which we live" was another.
Don't you feel the thrill that comes
to you from the rest Of American p
II have no intimate knowledge Of the
processes Of business" he said, land
must take counsel with the men who are
engaged in business; but ! dare not dc
that unless know their purposes are the
same as mine. | am under bonds not tC
do so. am trustee for the prosperity
of the United States. trustee in counsel
Won't you come into counsel and help
l have preached this fortwenty-fve years
hut no one listened The only advantad Do