Barton County democrat., 1914-01-23

lSIoNIOn Is business Of interpreta-- |
tion, not Of organization, and it is
now plain what the opinion is 10
which We must give effect in this
matter. 1t is not a recent or hasty
opinion. 1t springs out of experience
of a whole generation. 1t has clari,.
fled itself by long contest and those
who for a long time battled with II
and sought to change ii, are now
frankly and honorably yielding to it
and seeking to conform their actions
to it.
Business Men CONVINCED.
The great business men who or
ganized and financed monopoly, and
those who administered it in actual
every day transactions have year af-
ter year, until now, either denied its
existence or justified / t as neces--
sary for the effective maintenance
and development of the vast business
processes of the country in the mod
ern circumstances of trade manufac-
ture and finance, but all the while
opinion has made head against them.
The average business man is con-
vinced that the ways CT liberty are
also the ways of peace and the ways
of success as we'll, and at last the
masters Of bushes on the great scale
have begun to yield their preference
and purpose, perhaps their judgment
also, in honorable surrender.
What We are purpoSing to do.
therefore, is happily not to hamper
or interfere with business, and EN-
hghtened business men prefer to do
it, or in my sense, to put it under
the ban. The antagonism between
business and government is over. We
are now about to give expression to
the best business Judgment of Amer
lea, to what we know to be the bus
mess conscience and honor of the
land. The government and business
men are ready to meet each other
half way in a common effort to so
square business methods with both
public opinion and the law. The best
informed men Of the business world |
condemn the methods and processes
ind consequences Of the monopoly as |
We condemn them; and the instinct
we Judgment Of the vast majority |
d business men everywhere goes
with them. We shall now be their
spokesman. This Is the strength Of
DUR position and the sure prophecy
# what will ensue when our reason.
lble work is done.
When serious contest ends, when
nen unite in opinion and purpose,
hose who are to change their ways
II business joining with those who
lsk for the change, it is possible to
fleet it in the way in which prudent
md thoughtful and patriotic mer
would wish to see It brought about,
With as few. as slight, as easy and
imple business adjustments as pos
,ible in the circumstances, nothing
disturbed. nothing torn up
y the roots, no parts rent asunder,
which can be left In wholesome COM
'ination. Fortunately, no measures
# sweeping or novel change are nee
ssary.
To Make, Not To Break.
1t will be understood that our OBJ.
ect is not to unSettle business or
nywhere seriously to break its es--
courses athwart. On the
we desire the laws we are
Low about to pass to be the bulwarks
md safeguards Of industry against the
orces that have disturbed it. What
We have to do can be done in a new
pdrit, in thoughtful moderation with.
'ut revolution Of any untoward kind.
We are all agreed that private mo-
IOpoly is indefensible and htoler.
bile and our program is founded upon
hat conviction. It will be a compre.
IensiVe but not a radical or unac-.
eptable program and these are its
TENS and changes which opinion de-
lberately sanctions and for which 4
waits. II
1t waits with acquiescence, In the [
inst place, for laws which will effect
ally prohibit and prevent such inter.
Ockings OF the personnel Of the d.
ectorabes Of great corporations, the (
anks and railroads, industrial, com.
nercial and public service bodies, as
q effect result in making those who ,
OrrOW and thoee uho lond nr,acfScol 1