Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-30

be supplied with the money they need
for their proper development to meet
the rapidly growing requirements OF
the country for increased and i'm
proved facilities for transportation.
NO TIME FOR DELAY.
We can not postpone action in this
matter without leaving the railroads
exposed to many serious handicaps
and hazards; and the prosperity of the
railroads and the prosperity of the
country are inseparably connected.
Upon this question those who are
chiefly responsible for the actual man.
agement and operation of the railroads
have spoken very plainly and very
earnestly, with purpose we ought to
be quick to accept il will be one
step, and a very important one. toward
the necessary separation OF the busi-
ness of production from the business
Of transportation.
NEEDS OF ANTITRUST LAW.
In the business of the country
awaits also. has long awaited and has
suffered because it could not obtain,
further and more explicit legislative
definition Of the policy and meaning OF
the existing antitrust law. Nothing
hampers business like uncertainty
Nothing daunts nor discourages 1t like
the necessity to take chances, TO run
the risk of falling under the condemna-
ton of the law before it can make
sure just what the law is.
,1-o faOailio
with the actual processes and meth
DDS of monopoly and of the many
hurtful restraints of trade to make
definition possible, at any rate up to
the limits of what experience has dis
closed. These practices, being now
abundantly disclosed, can be explicit
ly and item by item forbidden by stat
ute in such terms as will practically
eliminate uncertainty. the law itself
and the penalty being made equally
plain.
INTERSTATE TRADE BODY.
And the business men of the coun-
try desire something more than that
the menace of legal process in the
matters be made explicit and intelli-
gible. They desire the advice, the
definite guidance and information
which can be supplied by an admin.
istrative body, an interstate trade com.
mission.
The opinion OF the country would
instantly approve of such a commits.
sion. It would not wish to see it en-
powered to make terms with monop-
oily or in any sort to assume control
of business, as If the government
made itself responsible It demands
such a commission only as an indis.
pensable instrument of information
and publicity, ais clearing house for
the facts by which both the public
mind and the managers of great bust
ness undertakings should be guided,
and as an fundamentally for doing
justice to business where the process
es of the courts are the natural forces
of correction outside the courts are
inadequate, to adjust the remedy to
the wrong in a. way that will meet all
the equities and circumstances of the
case.
WHERE PROBING ENDS.
Producing industries, for example,
which have passed the point up to
which combination may be consistent
with the public interest and the free
dom of trade. can not always be dis
sected into their component units as
readily as railroad companies or SINH
lar organizations can be. Their dis
solution by ordinary legal process may
often times involve financial conse-
quences likely to Overwhelm the Sc
curity market and bring on its break
down and confusion. There ought to
be an administrative commission Ca
pable of directing and shaping such
corrective processes, not only in aid
Of the courts. but also by independent
suggestion, if necessary.
FAIR PLAY TO BUSINESS MEN.
'Inasmuch as our object and the
spirit of our action in these matters
is to meet business half way in its
processes of self-correction, and dis
turb its legitimate course as little as
possible, we ought to see to it, and
the Judgment of practical and saga
cious men of affairs everywhere
would applaud US if we did see to it,
that penalties and punislInents
should fall, not on business itself, to
it's confusion and interruption, but on
the individuals who use the instru-
mentalities of business to do things
which public policy and sound bust
ness practice condemn.
Every act of business is done at
he command mr. on tho Initiative Of
some ascertainable person or group
Of persons. These should be held in
dividua.ly responsible and the punish