The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-21

monopoly and OF the many hnytfui
resfS11nts OF trade to make definition
possible, at any rate up to the N1nf1D
OF what experiences has disclosed.
These Practices. being now abandAne-
~ Disclosed, can be explicitly and
item By item forbidden BY :tassts n
such terms as win practically eiimi-
nate uncertainty, tho law itseIf and
the penalty being made sqnally plain.
And tho business men Of the coun-
try desire something more than that
the menace Of legal process In these
matters be made exploit and intelligi-
bic. They desire tho advice, tho de-
finite guidance and information which
can be supplied by an administrative
body, an interstate trade commission.
Country Would Approve.
The opinion Of the country would
instantly approve Of such a commits
sion. 1t would not wish to SEE 1t en-
powered to make terms with monopoly
or in any sort to assume control of
business. as II the government made
itself responsible. 1t demands such
commission only as an indispensable
instrument Of information and public
lily, as a clearing house for the facts
by which both the public mind and
the managers OF great business I'M
dertakings should be guided. and as
Aiotl IOT QOlHH Justice
to business where the processes of the
courts or the natural forces OF cor
rection outside the courts are made
quate to adjust the remedy to the
wrong in q way that will meet all
the equities and circumstances OF tho
case.
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, cannot always be dis
sected into their component units as
readily as railroad companies or
similar organizations can be. Their
dissolution by ordinary legal process
may oftentimes involve financial con-
sequences likely to overwhelm the
security market and bring upon II
break down and confusion. There
ought to be an administrative COM
mission capable of directing and shap-
ing such corrective processes not on
ly in aid of the courts, but also by in
dependent suggestion, II necessary.
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 rs little as
possible. we ought to see to it, and
the judgment OF practical and
sagacious men of affairs everywhere
would applaud US IL we did see to It.
that penalties and punishments should
fall, not upon business itself, to its
confusion and interruption, but upon
the individuals who Use the instru-
menta1ities of business to do things
which public policy and sound bust
ness practice condemn. Every act OF
business is done at the command or
upon the initiative OF some ascertain
able person or group Of persons
These should he held individually re-
sponsibie and the punishment should
fall upon them, not upon the business
organization of which they make IL
legal use. 1T should be one of the
main objects of our legislation to d.
vest such persons of their corporate
cloak and deal with them as with
those who do not represent their cor
porations but merely by deliberate in
tention break the law. Business men
the country through would, I am sure,
applaud us If we were to take eff
fectual steps to see that the officersi
and directors of great business bodies
were prevented from bringing them
and the business of the country into
disrepute and danger.