The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-01-21
MESSAGE FAVORS
NEW COMMISSION
PREsrDENr INSISTS NEW BODY M
CREATED FoE THE
UNITED STATES.
Hits Interlocking Boards and MAKES
Causuc Attack on Men with
Numerous Holdings.

WASHINGTON. u. G.. Jan. 20
President Wilson in his message to
"Gentlemen or the congress
In my report on the state OF the
union which l had the privilege OF
reading 10 you on the frst OF December
last. ventured to reserve for discus
zion AZ a later date the subject OF ad-
ditional legislation regarding the very
difficult and instricate matter OF trusts
and monOpolies The time now seems
opportune TO turn 10 that great question
not only because the currency quest
ION which absorbed your attention and
the attention Of the country in Decem-
Der u now disposed of but also because
opinion see ms To be clearing about US
with singular rapidity In this other
currency n cleared suddenly and very
happily after the much debated act was
passed.; IN respect OF the monopolies
which have multiplied about MS and IN
regard TO the various means bv which
they have been organized and main
tained ~ seems TO be coming 10 clear
ana All but universal agreement In an
ucipatiOn OF our action. as IN bv Nay
or preparation. making the way easier
To see aud easier 20 set out upon with
coincidence and without confusion OF
counsel
Atmosphere Of Legislation.
Legislation has its atmosphere like
everything else and the atmosphere Of
accommodation and mutual understand
ing which we now breathe with so much
retreshment u matter Of sincere con
graduation. IL ought to make our task
very much less difficult and embarrass-
ing than "a would have been had we been
Obliged to continue to act amidst the
sphere Of suspicion and antagonism
which has 50 long made n impossible to
approach such questions with disnas-
rlouate fairness. Constructive legisla-
tion. when successful. Is ALWAYS the err
bodiment Of convincing experience anc
OF the mature public opinion which
IinallN springs out Of that experience.
LEGISLATION h. a business OF interpreta-
ton. not OF origination and II Is now
plain what the opinion Is 10 which we
must give effect In this q
not recent or hasty opinion. ~ springs
out OF the experience Of a whole genera
ton. II has clarified itself by long con-
test and those who for q long time hat
tied with II and sought 10 change IL are
now frankly and honorably yielding TO
20 Il.
The great business men who organ
ICED and financed monopoly and those
who administered n In actual everyday
transactions have year after year. until
how. either denied its existence or justi-
lied u as necessary for the effective
maintenance and development Of the
vast business processes Of the country
IN the modern circumstances OF trade
ana manufacture and finances. but all
the while opinion has made head against
them- The average business man IS con-
WINGED that the ways OF liberty are also
the ways Of peace and the wavs OF sac
cess as well. and at last the masters OF
business on the great scale have begun
perhaps their judgment also. in honor
able surrender.
-. NOT TO Hamper Business.
What we are purposing to do. there
Iore. Is, happily. not TO hamper or in
terfere with business a. enlightened
business men prefer to do Il, or in anv
sense TO put IN under the han Tbc
antagouism between business and gov
crnment is over. We are now about to
give oppression 20 the best business
Judgment Of America to what we know
10 be the best conscience and honor OF
the land The government and bust
ness men are ready TO meet each other
half way In common effort to square
business methods with both public op-
iuion and the law. The best Informed
men Of the business world condemn the
methods ana processes and conse-
guences OF monolopy as We condemn
them; and the instructive Judgment of
the vast majority Of business men
everywhere goes with them We shall
now be their spokesmen. That IS the
suenEth OF our position and the sure
prophcsY or what will eusue when our
reasonahie work IS done
when serious contest ends when
men unite iu opinion and purpose those
who are TO change their ways Of bust
ness Joining with those who ask for the
change ~ beg possible 10 effect IN in the
way in which prudent and thoughtfui
and patriotic men would wish 20 see IL
brought about with as few. ~ slight.
mentS as possible boz the circumstance.
nothinE essential disturbed. nothing
asundcr witch can h. iSft p i5 vb ley
some combination Fortunately no
measures Of sweeping or novel change
that our object is NOT Co unqeftIo b1sii
ness or anywhere seriously 90 break it4
established courses athwart ON the
contrary. We desire the laws We are
now about 90 pass 90 De the hulvyari IL
and safeguards 81 Industries in f1a
forces that have disturbed h. That We
have fu dp can hc done Zoo s new spf~it.
in thouEhtful moderation. without re-
NpluUuu Dl any uutoward kind
Private Monopoly Indefenafbie.
We nre IlI agreed that .urftafa mono
poly Dr. Iudcfcus Die and irfnfaralfa rra
our program b. founded upon that con.
NiCtion. ~ viii be a COMPREHENSIVE but
mot radical or unacceptable program
and These Gro ite items tho change
which opinion deliberately sauerffora
nnd For which business waits
IT waits with nrruirarlurr Ia ffn
first place Tor lave which will effect
uallr prohibit and prevent such inter-
lorkinrs ~ the personnel Of The dire.
tnratcs ~ rrorf rDruorati0na-. hanks
and railroads. Industrial. rummerriaf
and public service bodice Iu rffr.f
rrHulf Iu making those who borrow 4rf
those who lend PRACTICALLY one and lle
same those who eel ord those who bl.
hnf fne rHmr persons trading with ono
another under different names and Ir
different rowhIn1f.nue nrd those AFFECT
90 compete .n fact PARTNERS md n1rtfara
~ e0nrr whose Geld of business enff..
CIrnf time should Boo allowed ~ r1ur.r
~ which tn eject these changes Of or