The state herald., 1914-01-30
President Outlines Plan for Regu-
Iation of Trusts.
SQUARE BUSINESS WITH LAW
Explicit Definition Of the Policy and
Meaning of Existing Laws 10 Of First
Importanee-Antago gonlsm Between
Business and Government.
is Now Over.

washington, Jan. 20. - President
Wilson delivered the following mes
sage today before joint session Of
the two houses of congress:
Gentlemen OF the congress:
"In my report On the State OF the
Union. which l had the privilege Of
reading to you on the LIST of Decem-
Der last. ventured to reserve fo-
discussion at a later date the subject
of additional legislation regarding the
very difficult and intricate matter Of
trusts and 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 appears
to be clearing about us with singular
rapidity in this other great field of
action. In the matter of the currency
It cleared suddenly and very happily
after the much-debated act was
passed; in respect to the monopolies
which have multiplied about US and in
regard to the various means by which
they have been organized and main
tained. II seems to be coming to a
clear and all but universal agreement
In anticipation OF our action, as II by
the way OF preparation. making the
way easier to see and easier to set
out upon with confidence and without
confusion of counsel.
Business Of Interpretation.
Legislation has its atmosphere like
everything else and the atmosphere OF
accommodation and mutual under.
standing which We now breathe with
so much refreshment is matter OF sin.
cere congratulation. II ought to make
our task very much less difficult and
embarrassing than II would have been
had we been obliged to continue to
act amidst the atmosphere OF suspi.
cion and antagonism which has so
long made 1t impossible to approach
such questions with dispassionate fair.
ness. Constructive legislation. when
successful, is always the embodiment
OF convincing experience and of the
mature public opinion which finally
springs out Of that experience Leg.
islation is business OF Interpretation.
not OF origination: and II is now plain
what the opinion is 10 which we must
give effect In this matter. II Is not re.
cent or hasty opinion, II springs out
of the experience Of whole genera.
tion. 1t has clarified itself by long
contest, and those who for a long time
battled with It and sought to change
II are now frankly and honorably
yielding to II and seeking to conform
their actions 10 It.
The great businessmen who organ.
lied and financed monopoly and those
who administered II In actual every.
day transactions have year after year.
until now, either denied Its existence
or justified II as necessary for the ef.
fectiye maintenance and development
OF the va~t business processes OF the
country in the modern circumstances
OF trade and manufacture and finance;
but all the while opinion has made
head against them The average
businessman is convinced that the
ways Of liberty are also the ways OF
pence and the ways OF success ms
well; and at last the masters OF bust,
ness on the great scale have begun TO
yield their preferevcc and purpose.
perhaps their judFmen, also. In honor.
able surrender
VIII Not Hamper.
What We are purposlng 10 do. there.
fore. Il happily not to hamper or In.
terfere with business as enlightened
business men prefer to do II. or In any
sense TO put (, under the ban. The
nntngonism between business aud gov.
eminent IN over. We are now abou,
10 give expression to the bes, business
Judgment OF America, 10 what VIC
know TO be tho business cons oionco
and honor OF the land. The govern,
ment and business men are ready "a
NEE, each other half way In common
effort 10 square business methods with
both public opinion and law. The b.s,
Informed men OF the business world
condemn tho methods and proceaner
and consequences Of monopoly NJ we
condemn them; and the instructive
Judgment OF the vast majority OF bust
ness men everywhere goes with them
We shall now be their spokesman
That Ia tho strength Of our position
and the sure prophecy OF what will on
sue whom our reasonable work In don.
when serious contest ends. whcr
man unite In opinion and purpose
those who nre 20 change their ways o.
business. joining with those who aai
for tho change. Il Ia possible to cfYec
II In tho way In which prudent nm,
thoughtful and patriotic men woui,
wish 10 nee Il brought about. with nj
few, as slight. an easy and simple busi
ness reaadIuatments M possible In tn
circumstance. nothing essential dis
turbod, nothing torn up BY tho roots
40 parts ren, asundcr which can b