The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-06-05
THE NEWLAyDs TRADE CON-
MISSION BILL.

The Daily Herald feels that the
Commercial Clubs resolution, adopt
ed last night 10 be sent TO our repre-
sentatiyes and senators. protesting
against the passage at this session OF
congress OF the Sewlands Trade
Commission bill was timely and the
position OF the club was well taken,
Not only Is the Trade Commission
idea an entirely new n to the rank
and file OF the business men Of this
country, but the Newlands bill seek
Ing to incorporate that idea into law
Is dangerously drasic-in parts RANK
ly soclalistic. Before enacting any
such epochal legislation, the con-
gress Of hte United States should
weigh and consider II very carefully
and should give the business people
Of the counry every opportunity to
express their ideas about what such
has been given for such an express
sion; and IL an effort is made to push
l~gislatioh should be. No opportunity
The I'LL through at he res ent se.-
sion 1t Is certain that it will not re-
ceive that degree of careful and ma
ture consideration TO which It is en-
titled because tNf IegislctoT3 ar"
already worn out by the long session
and the disposal Of many weighty
matters, and they have equally
weighty matters still staring them in
the face. Anxious to adjourn in the
summer It would be impossi-
for them In the short time inter
to give attention to Mexican
imbr0glio, the Panama Canal tolls
controversy, and at the same time l.
10 justice to a question involving
such far reaching consequences as
ioes the Newlands Trade. Commits
jion Bill. IL Is for these reasonsi
therefore,, that We are convinced |
hat hte Commercial Club Is entirely
in urging that consideration
" this bill should be deferred until
he next session Of congress.
The bill is dangerous because IL
would give a political commission
lmost absolute powers over practi-
ally all the private business OF the [
ountry. 1t would authorize such a
commission to Investigate and regu- ,
ate private business and would en-
all an enormous burden OF unneces-
airy expense. 1t appears to consider
Il forms OF corporate industry as
Ist objects of suspicion until proven :
lnoCent Of any trust taint-a stand :
ntirely alien to the spirit of Ameri- :
an Institutions. !
The time has come when demago- !
lc class appeals must stop. Unless .
do business will become COM :
Ietely paralyzed, No one more =
than the Daily Herald :
to see the tyrannical power of 8.
e trusts curbed and tohse bodis u
lemselves regulated, but this can u
I'd should be done without penaliz- ~
6 legitimate business in all parts of
re country. There Is no more reason ,
by the inner workings of a private |
'rporation should be investigated or d
iposed to the general public, and in =
dentally to competitors, than there u
for treating individuals, firms or Z
lrtnerships In the same way. !"
And last, very little is known OF u
e proposed bill. 1t is important "
at the people who are to; Sbe af-
cted by this legislation sh1uld have u
nple opportunity to become thor 81
lghly acquainted with its drastic u
DIVISION and their possibilities for u
Lrm to the general business situa- I"
become adjusted to the new con- y
ions prevailing. under recent legis- It
tion.-Biloxt Daily Herald, May "
: "