New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-27
WILSON'S sTAUNToN SPEECH
Interpretation of Governmental Con
troll Extended to Industrial World.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: To the impartial student not seek
ing for some deep, underlying mystery OF
obscurity Governor Wilson's speech at
Stanton does no. exhibit the difficulties
which The Tribune editorial and the ex-
tract therein from THE Evening Post
suggest.
He was trying to establish a general
principle which. while subject to the
vagueness or rather elasticity inherent
in all, universals, is yet perfectly compre-
lensible.
He said that business men must learn
that they are not going to be allowed 10
make any money except for qutd pro
quo"
Now. in the first place, it is proper 10
assume that when he speaks OF business
men he is abiding TO them rather III
their corporate capacity than as ihoi' iu-
uals; for in the case Of the latter the
pressure Of competition mus. necessarily
be a sufficient deterrent against eSacting
from society more than they give with
corporations. as We all know to our cost
the case Is entirely different.
Now. what do business men whether as
individuals or corporations demand from
society? It is profit. In return for which
they give labor and the use Of capital
Then danger to be provided against IS
lest they exact a profit unreasonably IN
excess Of the labor and capital employed.
Can Il be said that there are no govern
mental means OF obVlatlng this odhse'
without undue interference?
The railroads are by far the most impor-
tant corporations to be dealt with. yet
there has long been in existence machlh-
erv-a commisson--for so regulating rates
that they may be fair az between the rail-
roads and the public. And II has never
been charged that, apart from human
faIlibiltv the railroad commission mas
acted otherwise than justly as between
the conflicting interests involved.
Is IL then impossible to extend this gov
crnmental control-a wise and equitapie
ntcrference-over industrial corporations?
II such a corporation should exact
profit Of 40 or 50 per cent on its watered
capltal il would clearly fall within Gov
crnor Wilson's category OF those VINO are
not giving a quid pro quo, ana II the
motal sense of the community is not
sufficient deterrent. then obviously more
stringent means must be adopted to bring
such a corporation to the point OF tair
dealing with the public, and such inter
ference would not be 80 extensive. SO
peryasiye. so overshadowing' as The
Evening POST fears.
Having regard to economic progress 10
tho steady growth OF the sense of moral
obligation I'm the business world, indeed IN
the world generally. it is highly propapie
that the evils indicated by Governor VIII
son will of themselves gradually fade
away without outside compulsion. But IL
not IL the question. Are you giving some
thing chat Is a faivproportion) TO society
where YOU want TO take something outot
society?' is still answered in the negative
then, he says, the moral Judgment OF
the majority" must be enforced by the
government, no doubt along the lines al
ready in operation for similar purposes
AS stated above. This. | submit, Is tair
INTERPRETATION OF that much-discussed
spcech. and Is we'll within the limits OF
practical politics. r. w. MACkRETH.
Ivy, Va, Jan. 4, 1913.