Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-06-30
Demand for Business Rest a.
Argument

Demand for Business Rest 40
Argument
President Wilson's dislike of the
sort Of opposition that has been de.
veloped on the antitrust bills which
he mistakenly asks Congress to enact
has at least done the service Of max
ing conspicuous a method Of infiuenc'
ing legislation that is questionable to
the extent that it gives members OF
congress an impression Of public
opinion that is not truthful. When
in defense Of the circularizing meth.
cd Of manufacturing sentiment It Ia
urged that it is not new, is only the
use of the privilege of men to band
together for the protection Of their
special interests and an exercise Of
the sacred right of petition, there is
only added reason for the examina-
ton that the President has invited.
NOT ID IL " UC doouA1Ou SuOS WIG
President is without knowledge upon
which to found his charge that there
has been and still is a concerted ef-
fort to magnify If not to manufacture
conditions that would give plausi-
BILE basis for a plea for business rest.
The belief that q certain degree Of
artificiality has been resorted to is
not monopolized by Mr.. Wilson and
his warrant for challenging the dis
play and uncovering the method lies
in the right he has to have the truth
known as to actual public sentiment.
1t has been the singular fate Of
the antitrust bills which carry out
the Presidents promises that they
have been met with no approach
to candor. When the committee of
Congress having them in hand opened
it's doors for a hearing, not man
entered. Business, now revealed as
deeply concerned over them, elected
to stay away and to rest its lattr
opposition upon the plea that condi.
lions demanded a period Of repose.
The merits of the bills have been
scantily discussed. Their effort to
make effective the laws to which the
nation is fully committed, their con.
structive character. their supply Of
instrumentalities that would free the
administration Of the law from un-
certainty, their frank correction Of the
precise defects which have subject
ed this class of statutes to criticism,
all alike have been passed by with
the sole reliance upon the claim that
further legislation is antagonistic to
legitimate undertakings. The error
OF this method of opposition is OBJ
vious. 1t neglects the fact that no
line that has been written or is now
in process OF writing into the law
applies to business that is legitimate
in the sight of the people Of the
country.
In making the Presidents position
appear to be personal-the singular
development of a reckless unconcern
as to the welfare of the country-it
is overlooked that he holds his Office
on pledge to favor laws Of the kind
the antitrust bills propose and that
the party to which the country COM
mitted its affairs in the election of
1912 is unqualifiedly committed to
them. Nor does the plea that it is
a minority representation help the
matter. A prominent journal, ordin
arily favorable to the President, has
gust described the measures as "a
pretty large borrowing from the Pro.
gressive platform" The applause
that greets this description is testi.
mony to the fact that Mr.. Roose-
velt's party was committed in the
same fashion. Add the vote Of the
Democratic and Progressive parties
in 1912 and the warrant from the
voters is not open to question.
Really there can be but one ques
ton as to the merit and desirability
Of the pending legislation as to the
trusts. Is it right? Does 1t dea
tonstructively with the problem to the
solution Of which the country has
fully committed itself? Does it full
All the pledge to help to right condi
tons with the least possible disturb
ance Of legitimate business? In al
the variations still the one question
lis it right? II it is right, the ple'
for repose, we think. merits not mucl
different regard from that which tn
President, in his fulfilment OF nj
promises to the country, has foun
occasion to give it.-Christian Sc
ence Monitor.
sWA> vYneah Il tho yn0A4 widely req