Gilpin observer., 1914-08-06
NEW ENGLAND WANTS
TRUST BILLS PASSED

New England is clamoring for quick
passage of the trust bills. In that
center of industry the sober under
current of thought strongly advocates
this action in the interest of better
business.
The New England point Of view. sub
stantially, is the same which prevails
throughout the country. AS the sub
Joined editorial from the Worcester
(Mass.) Evening Post shows, the ref
erendum recently taken by the
Chamber of Commerce OF the United
States, which represents the principal
organizations Of the country's busi-
ness men in all the great cities and
states, demonstrates an overwhelm-
ing sentiment in business circles in
support of the main features of the
trust program.
Business does not fear on the con-
trary it welcomes the trust bills.
The Worcester Posts editorial fol-
lows:
Among organs of plutocracy and in
a partisanship that, bat-like, avoids
light, the chatter continues that bust
ness men are in paralysis op-
posing and protesting against the
pending antitrust legislation. For the
second time decisive disproof appears
in the result of the referendum TAX
en- by the Chamber of Commerce of
he Int 81 hnc
tests of the sentiment of the genuine
business men showed a four-to-one ap-
proval of the trade-commission part
of the administration program. The
second referendum. whose results
have been analysed and made public,
brings even more emphatic approval
of all except one of the other essen
tial features of this program. The
participating organizations were $50
in sc states. Forty-five did not vote
at all for one reason or another, but
only five because opposed to further
legislation.
questions induced some of the organ
izations to refrain from vointg on
them. q.
'.On the question of prohibiting in
terlocking directorates tending to ell
iminating competition, the vote was
more than IL to l in favor of doing
so-or 491 to 40. AS applied to rail-
roads, except by permission OF the
Interstate Camp,aroa Cor,roi Ssop ;p
special cases, the vote was 494 to 80;
as to railroads and bankers. however,
the result was the other way, 129 to
n in favor of allowing bankers
among railroad directors.
Corporate ownership of stocks in
competing corporations was condemn
ed, 432 to 70, by these organizations.
The further chief new principle of
the proposed legislation making con-
elusive for further private suits for
damages, a final decree or Judgment
in government prosecution for vjo-
lation of the Sherman law, was ap-
proved, asa to 81.
ITO the most disputable measure,
for regulation of railroad security-is-
sues, the chambers are opposed, 445
to "a. following committee recompen-
dation and perhaps fearing. as Louis
d. Brandeis argues, that it would OPP
crate too much like a government
guarantee.
The referendum had questions
about statutory forbiddal of price-dis-
examinations, sales and leases that
would prevent dealings with competi-
tors, etc. The votes were strongly
against such egislation-presuma
because the lines are already drawn
on these questions by supreme court
decisions.
mo shadow of excuse is now left
for misrepresenting the attitude on
this great subject of the men of hon
est commerce and industry in this
country. The work of distinguishing
them from the predatory interests is
important. The duty of the senate
is plain"