The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-23
FROM OTHER PENS
THE TRUST PROBLEM.

Secretary Redfield is mainly correct
| in his diagnosis. which leads him to
the conclusion that the trust problem
may right itself. His doubts of the
| industrial efficiency of the trusts are
probably, well founded. Certain eco
Monies of centralized organizat ton are
obvious; but whether they are not
overbalanced by equally obvious eco
| nomlc weaknesses is a point that can
not be too strongly emphasize Exact
study and M ured consideration of the
question would be necessary for it's de-
| c1s1on to a certainty. There are some
general observations, however, which
| indicate that industrial efficiency does
not increase in ratio with the growth in
size of an industrial combination
| Ihere seems to be point beyond
which an increase of output is obtain
| able only at increaced relative cost of
production.
| The higher efficiency is a matter of
| good management; but even superior
| executive ability has its Limitations.
The self interested directing head of
| an organization, which is not too ex-
tended to be overseen by him, has an
| advantage over the organize who is
| dependent upon the superintendent of
| hired men. Another advantage of the
smaller concern is its greater ability to
specialize. While these arguments
may be called theoretical, the indu-
bitable facts are that many trusts
| nave failed financially; others are Lot
paying dividends upon their securities
commensurate with the profits earned
! by smaller private concerns: and Sec
rotary Redffeld puts the pertinent ques-
ton: rs it, or is it not, true that the
| major motive in the formation of a
trust is the profit of the promoter"
There is one important consideration
omitted from Secretary Redfield's dag
nosis, however. When a trust has
obtained practical monopoly of nat
ural resources. which are the raw ma
terial of industry, * is superior to COM
petition. If the control of crude ne
troleum by the Oil trust and of most
of the visible iron ore by the Steel
trust were not secure we might more
confidently expect "the remorseless law
of economies" to work out the prob
lem without the aid of legisla ton
Philadelphia Record.
A DEMOCRATIC ADVANTAGE.
The new constitutional amendment,
providing that United States senators
snail be elected directly by the people.
probably will operate to increase the
strength of the Democratic party in
the upper branch. The terms of 32
senator's expire in 1915 and the cleo
ton of their successors will occur in
November of next year. Unless the
Republicans and Progressives get to-
gether before that time, it looks as if
the Democrats would make material
gains because of this division. The
people of Iowa are already beginning
to worry about the situation. Senator
Cummins of that state, whose views
are progressive, is one of the 80 sena-
tors and the legislators of Iowa are
now trying to pass a law which will
permit Mr.. Cummins to run on both
the Republican and Progressive sena-
toria1 tickets next year They saw IL
they can't make such an advancement
Iowa is likely to elect a Democratic
senator. True enough, and the same
situation will obtain in at least IL
other former Republican states. in
Guiding New Hampshire and Connecti-
cut in New England, and our not far
distant netghbors, New York and
PennSylvania.-Bost Globe
SCHOOLS FOR FACTORY GIRLS.
The heads of four manufacturing
companies in the white goods in
dustry of this city have bargained with
the board of education for a public
school for factory girls. which will
teach them to become more efficient.
The course of study which at first will
be elementary, will be at the EXPENSE
of the employers. The girls will get
wages for their work in the factories,
and spend part of their tine in being
schooled. The employers are per-
suaded that the carrying out of this
plan and its steady deveIopmAnt will
prove financially profitable. As it has
been successfully tried in other cities
it has lacked the quality of a milan
thropy or charity. But il has benefit
ed the workers in giving them the
skill and broader training that has en-
abled them to leave narrow and ILL
paid tasks, and 20 work more prosper
ously. Philanthropy seldom lasts longer
than the generous impulses of
wealthy giver. The benefits accruing
from the works of enlightened self
interest do not depend upon superfiuity
of wealth, and they become establish
ed and self-perpetuating.-Ne York
Times