The Raymer enterprise., 1914-01-22
WILSON URGES CONGRESS TO
SQUARE BUSINESS WITH
FRIENDLY LAW.
BASIC PLAN IS GIVEN
COUNTRY PREPARED FOR COM.
PLiANcE WITH LAW REGU-
lATiNG TRADE.


session of Congress Tuesday the fun
damental principles of the Democratic
administration program for dealing
with trusts and "big business.
The President spoke as follows:
Gentlemen OF the Congress: In my
report ''on the state of the Union
when had the privilege OF reading
to you on the second OF December
last | ventured to reserve for dis
cussion at a later date the subject OF
additional legislation regarding the
very difficult and intricate matter OF
trusts aud monopolies. The time now
seems opportune to turn to that great
question, not only because the cur
rency legislation. which absorbed
your attention and the attention OF the
country In December, Is now disposed
of, but also because opinion seems to
he clearing about us with singular
rapidity in this other great field OF
action.
In the matter OF the currency, IL
cleared suddenly and very happily
after the much-debated act was
passed, in respect OF the monopolies
which have multiplied about us. and
in regard TO the various means by
which they have been organized and
maintained. 1t seems to be coming To
clear and all but universal agree
ment in anticipation Of our action,
as II by way of preparation. making
tue way easier TO see and easier TO
set out on with confidence and with
out confusion of counsel.
Legislation has its atmosphere like
everything else. and the atmosphere
of accommodation and mutual under
standing which We now breathe with
50 much refreshment Is a matter of
sincere congratulation. II ought to
make our task very much less diff.
cult and embarrassing than it would
have been had we been obliged TO con.
tinue to act amidst the atmosphere OF
suspicion and antagonism which has
so long made II impossible to ap-
proach such questions with dispassion.
ate .a..ness.
Constructive legislation. when sue
cessiul. Is always the embodiment OF
convincing experience and of the ma.
ture public opinion which finally
springs out OF that experience. Leg.
islation is business OF Interpretation
not OF organization. and 1t is now
plain what the opinion Is TO which
We must give effect in this matter
1t is not recent or hasty opinion
It springs ont of the experience OF a
whole generation. 1t has clarified
itself by long contests, and those who
for a long time battled with it and
sought to change 1t are now frankly
aud honorably yielding to 1t and
seeking 10 conform their actions to
1t.
The great business men who or
ganized and financed monopoly and
those who administered 1t in actual
everyday transactions have. year
after year, until now, either denied
its existence or justified il as neees-
sary for the effective maintenance
and development of the vast business
processes OF the country In which
modern circumstances OF trade and
manufacture and finance play a part,
but all the while opinion has made
head against them
The average business man is con-
vnced that the ways Of liberty are
also the ways OF peace. and the ways
of success as we'll, and at last the
masters of business on the great
scale. have begun to yield their pref
erence and purpose, perhaps their
judgment also, in honorable sur
render,
What we are purposing to do,
therefore. is, happily, not to hamper
or interfere with business as en-
hghtened business men prefer to do
it. or In any sense to put IL under
the ban. The antagonism between
business and government is over. We
are now about to give expression TO
the best business judgment OF Ameri
ca, to what We know TO be the bust.
ness conscience and honor of the law
The government and business men
are ready TO meet each other hall
way In common effort to square
business methods with both public
opinion and the law. The best In
formed men of the business world
condemn the methods and processes
and consequences OF monopoly. as Ce
condemn them; and the instructive
Judgment of the vast majority of bust.
ness men everywhere goes with them
We shall now be their spokesmen,
That Is the strength of our position
and the sure prophecy of what will
ensue when our reasonable work Is
done.
When serious contest ends. when
men unite in opinion and purpose
those who are to change their ways
Of business joining with those who
ask for the change. 1t Is possible to
effect II In the way In which prudent
and thoughtful and patriotic men