Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-01-30
BUSINESS NOT TO
Be HAMPERED,
SAYS WILSON
President Outlines Plan for Regu-
latlon of Trusts.
SQUARE BUSINESS WITH LAW
Explicit Definition Of the Policy and
Meaning Of Existing Laws ls Of First
Importanee-Antasonlsm Between
Business and Government.
ls Now Over.

Washington, Jan. 20. = President
Wilson delivered the following mes.
sage today before a joint session of
the two houses OF congress;
Gentlemen OF the congress:
In my report ON the State of the
Union, which I had the privilege OF
reading to you on the LIST OF Deeem.
Der last. ventured to reserve for
discussion al a later date the subject
OF additional legislation regarding the
very difficult and intricate matter OF
trusts and monopolies. The time now
seems opportune to turn to that great
question; not only because the cur.
rency legislation, which absorbed your
attention and the attention OF the
country in December. is now disposed
Of, but also because opinion appears
to be clearing about us with singular
rapidity In this other great field OF
action. In the matter OF the currency
1t cleared suddenly and very happily
after the much-debated act was
passed; In respect to the monopolies
which have multiplied about us and in
regard to the various means by which
they have been organized and main.
tanned. II seems to be coming to q
clear and all but universal agreement
in anticipation OF ourtaction. as IL by
the way OF preparation. making the
way easier 10 see and easier to set
out upon with confidence and without
confusion OF counaeI
Business Of Interpretation.
Legislation has its atmosphere like
everything else and the atmosphere Of
accommodation and mutual under
standing which we now breathe with
30 much refreshment Ia matter OF ain.
cere congratulation. II ought to make
our task very much less difficuit and
embarrassing than II would have been
had we been obliged to continue to
act amidst the atmosphere OF auspi.
cion and antagonism which has 80
long made IL impossible 10 approach
such questions with dispassionate fair
ness. Constructive legislation, when
successful, IL always the embodiment
OF convincing experience and of the
mature public opinion which finally
springs out of that experience Leg.
lsiation IL business of Interpretation,
not Of origiRation: and 1t Ia now plain
what the opinion Ii to which we must
give effect in this matter II ID not re.
cent or hasty opinion. II springs out
Of the experience OF q whole genera
ton. II has clarified itself by long
contest, and those who for q long time
battled with It and sought to change
II are now frankly and honorably
yielding to II and seeking to conform
their actions 10 It,
THE great businessmen who organ.
lied and financed monopoly and those
who administered It In actual every.
day transactions have year after year,
until now, either denied its existence
or justified Il as necessary for the af-
fective maintenance and development
OF the vast business processes OF the
country in the modern circumstances
Of trade and manufacture and finance:
but all the while opinion has made
head against them. The average
businessman IL convinced that the
ways Of liberty are also the ways of
peace and the ways Of success as
well; and at last the masters OF bust.
ness on the great scale have begun to
yield their preference and purpose,
perhaps their judgment also, in honor
able surrender.
VIII Not Hamper.
What we are purposing to do, there.
fore. is happily not to hamper or in.
terfere with business as enlightened
business men prefer TO do It. or In any
sense to put 1t under the ban. The
antagonism between business and gov.
eminent Is over. We are now about
to give expression to the best business
| judgment of America, 20 what we
know to be the business conscience
and honor Of the land. The govern.
ment and business men are ready TO
meet each other half way In a common
effort to square business methods with
both public opinion and Law. The best
informed men of the business world
condemn the methods and processes
and consequences of monopoly as we
condemn them; and the instructive
judgment Of the vast majority Of bust
/ ness men everywhere goes with them.
We shall now be their spokesman.
That is the strength OF our position
and the sure prophecy of what viii en-.
sue when our reasonable 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
II in the wav in which prudent and
thoughtful and patriotic men would
wish to see It brought about, With as
few. as slight. as easy and simple bust
ness resadjustments as possible Ia the
circumstances. nothing essential dis.
| turbed, nothing torn up By TIE roots.
no parts rent asunder which can be
~~s-s-e-~-~-~.
Forehanaed.
Mrs. Exe-Do you ever 90 through
/ your husbands pockets mornings De.
| fore he's NM