The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-19

An interesting examination Of the
situation in respect to trust legislataop
II contained In the current humber Of
weekly by the New York banking house
Of J. 8. Bache q Co. 1t follows:
The discussion Of the trust bills IL
bringing out some sensible testimony,
showing that everything that II anti
trust is not always fair to big busi-
ness or necessarily beneficial to the
country. The politicians have always
gone on the theory that anybody in
congress who battered a trust was
worthy of commendation, and that II
the trust could be busted the reward
should be correspondingly greater. But
the attitude of congress is changing.
and the testimony Of thinking. unpre-
judiced men in receiving due consider
alton. DR.. Chas, r. Hise. of the Uni
verslty Of Wisconsin, in his recent ad-
dress before the convention of the
United States Chamber Of Commerce.
proposed that the Sherman antitrust
law should be supplemented by an act
which would forbid only combinations
and contracts in restraint Of trade,
that are detrimental to the welfare of
the people. But this. the highest court.
in its latest decisions. has interpreted
these decisions stand now for the law,
there does not seem need Of the added
legislative Interpretation. DIR. Hise
charged that for political reasons laws
against monopolies and restraints Of
trade are enforced only against big
business. while the small dealer. the
farmer, and the laborer, are still per-
mitted to combine and monopolize at
will. He said: II am willing to stand
for enforcement Of the law when It IL
enforced alike for all. but when some
one y picked out because it is good
politics to attack him. and the others
are allowed to escape. I say it il a
profoundly immoral situation. To have
statute which requires the officials Of
justice to close one eye whenever they
pass by the men in control of some
industries, and at the same moment
see with the open eye other men not
one whit more guilty. is not justice.
And that il exactly the existing situa-
ton in this country"
He said that it had been generally as
der the Sherman act were combinations
such as the Steel and Tobacco Trust.
while the small business men and small
producers were not proceeded against
under the law. although they cooper
ate in exactly the same way as the
more powerful organizations.
Congress well understands this stu
ation," he continued, ''and at q recent
session a paragraph containing an ap-
preparation Of $4,000 for the enforce
ment Of the antitrust laws. was at
tached. with a proviso that none of
the money should be spent in prosecut-
ing combinations or agreements Of la
Dor, or for the prosecution OF producers
of farm products and associations of
farmers"
But the antitrust bills are not yet
enacted. They represent the somewhat
confused fumbling Of congress in an
attempt to carry out President Will
sons suggestions. But the president
has not yet approved them. and pre-
sumably will not until they are %
drawn that they do not disturb the 80
per cent Of the business interests OF
the country which the president in his
talk with the senate committee, says
do not need governmental attention.
Congress il showing itself open to rea-
son and the testimony Of students who
have given the matter deep attention
and Of business men whose experience
makes them experts, is having benef-
cial effect.