The Washington herald., 1914-01-22

Iof this responsibility, when the Presis
dent ssys. referring TO his proposed
administrative BODY. IN inteshte tsade
eommission.s ? to desi with problems con-
neeted with the anti-trust laws:
The op;ninu 81 tie eoentry would In
ttantly spproxe 81 saeh commisston.
IIt would not wish to see it empowered
/, to make terms with monopoly or in any
sort to assume control of business. IS it
the government mede itself responsible.
II demands such . commission opIy as
an Indispensable instrument of informs-
ton and publicity - . cicafing house
for the facts BY which both the public
mind and the manasefs OF great bnsi-
mess undertakings should be guided, and
as "a ,inetrumentality for dong justies
| to huSiness where the processes of tho
eoults or the natural forces OF correc-
ton outside the courts are inadequate
to adjust the remedy to the wrong in
way that viii meet all the equities
and circumstances of the case.
The Presidents definition of the
duties of the trade commission as in
cluding action in cases where the "pro-
cesses of the courts are inadequate.
would certainly indicate mighty power
to be vested in the proposed new COM
mission, power as great or greater than
that of the Interstate Commerce Com
nilsson or the Federal reserve board.
There is nothing unexpected in the
Presidents recommendation for the
abolition of interlocking directorates.
His demand for the infection of the
severest penalties upon individuals guilty
of violating the antitrust laws, while
most emphatically urged, gives no sur
prise, though there is an incentive to
self-examination by corporations in the
assertion that reprehensible practices are
now being 4abundantly disclosed"
II is under the head of "other ques-
tions which will need very thoughtful
and practical treatment" that the Pres
ident throws conservatism to the winds.
Comparing individuals owning control
ling interests in several corporations to
the holding companies which should be
he asked:
Shall we require the owners of stock,
when their voting power in several COM
panies which ought to be independent of
one another would constitute actual con-
troll, to make election in which of them
they will exercise their right to vote?
This question i venture for your con-
sideration.
1t will be observed that Mr.. Wilson
only ventures" for the consideration of
Congress the question of the right of an
individual to control the, property which |
he owns. Early in his address he sug-
gests that business is prepared and has
barred its body to the surgeons knife,
but the party IN power will find an
other administration of anaesthetic
necessary to insure the patients sub
nilsson to this final ordeal 1t remains
to be seen whether Congress will wen
ture" with the President.
The final suggestion that individuals
who are forced to abandon business be-
cause of unfair "dislodging and ex-
terminating forces of combination" be
permitted to found private damage suits
on evidence collected by the government
and which has proved sufficient to con-
vict, is of only temporary importance.
Plainly, with all the machinery pro-
posed by the President for dealing with
trust abuses in successful operation
here will in the end be no destructive
in existence and hence no
need of damage suits.
All in all, the Presidents program
grave responsibility for
he Democratic party to the people. Not
only Mr.. Wilson but future Presidents
must zealously guard the personnel of
Federal reserve board, of Interstate
Commerce Commission and of trade
commission, should it be created. Con-
emplation of the powers to be given
hem leads near to the portals of gov
.rnment ownership. l.
w. P. SPURGEON.