Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-20
ANTAG0N|SM BETWEEN
BUSINESS AND NATION
OVER, SAYS PRESIDENT

cleared suddenly and very happily
afte" the much debated act was
passed. in respect to the mOnopolieg
which have multiplied about us and
In regard to the various means by
which they have been organized and
maintained il SENS 10 be coming to
q clear and all but universal agree
ment In anticipation Of our action. az
II by the way If preparation, making
the way easier 10 see and easier to
set out upon with confidence and
without confusion az counsel!
Fair Legislation Made Easier.
Legislation has lts atmosphere Ike
everything else and the atmosphere of
accommodation and mutual under
standing which we now breathe with
SO much refreshment is matter Of
sincere COnRratulatiOu II ought TO
make our task very much less DIFF
iicult and embarrassing than it would
have been had we been obliged to
continue to act amidst the atmus-
pherc OF suspicion and autagonism
which has so long made II impossible
. TO approach such questions with dis
passionate fairness. Constructive
legislation. when successful, is always
the embodiment OF convincing eXpe-
Renee and Of mature public opinion
which finally springs out Of that eX-
perienCe
Legislation Is business Of inter
probation, not of origination. and 1t
Is now plain what the opinion is to
which We must give effect in this
matter. 1t is not recent or hasty
opinion. 1t springs out of the eXpe-
rience Of a whole generation. 1t has
clarified itself by long contest, and
IE Z 4
with IL and sought to change 1t are
now frankly and honorably yielding
to 1t and seeking to conform their
actions TO II.
Ways to Liberty Are Ways TO Peace.
THE great business men who or
ganized and financed monopoly and
those who administered II In actual
everyday transactions have year after
year, until now. either denied its eX-
lstence or justified il az necessary
for the effective maintenance and de-
velnpment of the vast business pro-
cesses of the country in the modern
circumstances Of trade and manufac-
ture and finance: 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 ways
OF success as we'll and at last the
masters Of business on the great scale
have begun to yield their preference
and purpose, perhaps their Judgment
also, IN honorable surrender
What we are purpOS!ng to do
therefore, is happily not to hamper or
Interfere with business as enlightened
business men prefer to do Il, or in any
sense 10 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 America, TO
what we know to be the business con-
science and honor OF the land. The
Government and business men are
ready to meet each other halfway In
a common effort to square business
methods with both public opinion and
the law.
Best Men Condemn Monopoly.
1.-THE best informed men Of the bust
ness world condemn the methods and
processes and consequences of mo-
nopoly as we condemn them; and the
instructive judgment Of the vast ma
jority of business men everywhere
goes with them. We shall now he
their spokesman. That is the strength
of our position and the sure prophe-
cy Of what will ensue when our rea-
sonable work is done.
when serious contest ends. when
men unite in opinion and purpose,
those who are to change their ways
OF business joining with those who
ask for the change. II is possible to
effect It In the way in which prudent
and thoughtful and patriotic men