The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-01-30


to you on the I'd of December last
| ventured to reserve for discussion
at a later date the subject Of addi-
tional legislation regarding the very
graphical and intricate matter
trusts and monopolies. The time row
seems opportune to turn to that great
question; not only because the cur
rency legislation which absorbed your
attention and due attention of the
country in December is now disposed
of, but also because opinion seems to
be clearing about us with singular ra-
pidity in this other great field Of &C
ton. 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
maintained, it seems to be coming to
clear and all but universal agree
ment in anticipation of our action, as
If by way of preparation, making the
way easier to see and easier to set
out upon with confidence and without
confusion of counsel
Legislation has its atmosphere like
everything else, and the atmosphere
&c oocO,,o ~, odo+iOn op5 r,,,,+,,oI rodor
standing which we now breathe with
so much refreshment is a matter of
sincere congratulation. 1t ought to
make our task very much less difficult
and embarrassing than it would have
been had we been obliged to continue
to act amidst the atmosphere of sus-
picion and antagonism, which has so
long made it impossible to approach
such question with dispassionate fair
ness. Constructive legislation, when
successful, is always the embodiment
of convincing experience and of the
mature public opinion which finally
springs out of that experience. Legis-
lation is a business Of Interpretation,
not of origination; and it 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 experience of whole gen.
Grafton, 1t has clarified itself by long
contest, and those who for long time
battled with it and sought to change it
are now frankly and honorably yield
| ing to it and seeking to conform their
actions to it.
Masters of Business Yield.
The great business men who organ
ICED 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 it as necessary for the eff
| iective maintenance and development
Of the vast business processes of the
country in the modern circumstances
of trade and manufacture and finance;
but all the whole opinion has made
Roadway against them. The average
business man is convinced 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 bust
ness on the great scale have begun to
yield their preference and purpose,
perhaps their Judgment also, in honor
able surrender.
What we are preparing 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 it 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, to what we
know to be the business conscience
and honor of the land The govern
ment and business mAp are ready to
meet each other half way in common
effort to square business methods with
beth public opinion and the law. The
best-informed men Of the business
world condemn the methods and pro
cesses and consequences of monopoly
as we condemn them, and the instinc
tive judgment of the vast majority Of
business men everywhere goes with
them. We shall now be their spokes
men, That is the strength of our po
Eition and the sure prophesy of what
will ensue when our reasonable work
is done.
No Sweeping Measure Necessary.
When serious contest ends, wher
men unite in opinion and purpose
those who are " change their ways o.
business joining with those who ash
for the change, it is possible to effec
it In the way in which prudent ant
thoughtful and patriotic men woult
wish to see is brought about, with a.
few, as slight, as easy and simple bus
iness establishments as possible il
the circumstances, nothing essentia
disturbed, nothing torn up by = tn,
roots, no parts rent asunder whicl
can be left in wholesome condition
Fortunately. no measures of sweeping
or novel change are necessary. 1t vii
be understood that our object is no
to unsettle business. or anywhere Sc