Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-20

stinctive Judgment OF the vast major
fly OF business men everywhere goes
with them. We shall now be their
spokesmen. That is the strength OF
our position and the sure prophecy o.
what will ensue when our reasonable
work Is done.
When serious contest ends, wher
men unite in opinion aud purpose
those who are 60 change their ways o,
business joining with those who ash
for the change. Il is possible 10 effect
II in the way in which prudent anc
thoughtful and patriotic men weulc
wish to see IL brought about. with
few. as slight. as easy and simple bus
mess readiEstments as possible IL
the circumstances nothing essential
disturbed. nothing torn up by the
roots. no parts rent asunder which
can be left IN wholesome combination
Fortunately no measures OF sweepirS
or novel change are necessary. II
will be understood that our object Is
not TO unsettle business or anywhere
seriously to break It's established
courses athWart. On the contrary, We
desire the law we are now about to
pass TO be the bulwarks and safe
guards OF industry against the forces
that have disturbed II. What we have
to do can he done in a new spirit. In
thoughtful moderation. without revo-
luton OF any untoward kind.
Private Monopoly Intolerable."
We are all agreed that private mo-
nopoly is indefensible ard !ntolerar
ble'' and our program is founded upon
that conviction. II Will be coInpre-
hensiye but not a radical or unaccept-
able program and these are fits items,
the changes which opinion deliberate
" sanctions and for which business
waits:
II waits with acquiesance IN the
first place for laws which will effect
ualIy prohibit and prevent such inter
lockings of the personnel OF the d.
rectorates OF great corporations
banks and railroads. Industrial. COM
merciai and public service bodies-as
in effect result in making those who
borrow and those who lend. practical
~ one and the same. those who sell
and those who buy but the same per-
sons trading with one another under
different names and in different COM
binations and those who affect to COM
pete in fact partners and masters Of
some whole field OF business. SufIi- J
cient time should be allowed, OF
course in which to effect these changes |
OF organization without Inconvenience I
or confusion. Such a prohibition will l
work much more than a mere mega I.
tive good by correcting the serious I
evils which have arisen because. for /
example the men who have been the I
directing spirits of the great invest (
ment banks have usurped the place .
which belongs to Independent indus /
trial management working in ifs own /
behoof. II will bring new men. new
energies. a new spirit OF initiative.
new blood. into the management OF
our great business enterpri pc. II
Will open the field of Industrial de-
velopment and origination to scores
OF men who have been obliged to
serve when their abilities entitled
them TO direct II will immensely
hearten the young men coming on and
will greatly enrich the business activi-
ties OF the whole country.
Injustice TO Railways.
In the second place. business men
rs well as those who direct public
Affairs now recognize. and recognize
with painful clearness. the great
farm and Injustice which has been
lone 70 many. II not all. OF the great
-ailroad systems of the country by the
way in which they have been financed
md their own distinctive interests sub
ordinated to the interests OF the men
who financed them and OF other bus
ness enterprises which those men
Wished 10 promote.
The country IS ready therefore to
Iccept. and accept with relief as well
IS approval. a law which will confer