The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-01-30
President Outlines Plan for Reuu.
lation of Trusts.
SQUARE BUSINESS WITH LAW
Explicit Definition Of the Policy and
Meaning OF Existing Laws Is Of First
Observation-Disclosures Between
Business and Government.
ls Now Over.

Wilson delivered the following mes
sage today before joint session of
the two houses of congress:
Gentlemen Of the congress:
In my report On the State of the
Union which l had the privilege OF
reading to you on the LIST of Decen.-
Der last, ventured to reserve for
discussion at 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
rapidly 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, 1t seems to be coming to a
| clear and all but universal agreement
In anticipation of our action, as If by
the way Of preparation, making the
way easier to see and easier to set
out upon with confidence and without
confusion of counsel
Business of Interpretation.
Legislation has its atmosphere like
everything else and the atmosphere of
accommodation and mutual under
standing which we now breathe with
so much refreshment is matter of sin
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 suspi-
eion and antagonism which has so
long made it impossible to approach
such questions 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. Leg
islation is 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 re-
cent or hasty opinion. It springs out
Of the experience of whole genera
ton. 1t has clarified itself by long
contest, and those who for long time
battled with it and sought to change
1t are now frankly and honorably
yielding to it and seeking to conform
their actions to 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 it as necessary for the eff
fectiye 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 is convinced that the
ways of liberty are also the ways O
peace and the ways of success al
we'll. and at last the masters of bust
ness on the great scale have begun t.
yield their preference and purpose
J 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 ~
, terfere with business as enlfghtene
business men prefer to do 1t, or in an
,, sanse 10 nut it under the ban. Tn
, antagonism between business ana gov
! eminent is over. We are now abou
r. give expression to the best bushes
Judgment of America, to what W
know TO be the business conscienc
!, and honor of the land. The govern
mont and business men are ready I
meet each other half way in commo
effort to square business methods VIII
hotb nnblic opinion and law. The bes
), informed men of the business wori
condemn the methods and processe
and consequences Of monopoly as "
3 condemn them; and the instincti'
: Judgment of the vast majority OF BUS
: ness men everywhere goes with tnen
' We shall now be their spokesman
4 Tbat Is the strength OF our posltlo
! ond the sure prophecy of what VIII e
: she when our reasonable work Is don
t oWhen serious contest ends VINE
I mon unite in opinion and pufpos
those who are to change their ways
hnsiness. joining with those who as
|. for the change, it is possible to enc
. q IN the way in which prudent al
,houehtful and patriotic men wou
wisb TO see it brought about win
tew. as slight, as easy and simple y O4 :,
}. n re establishments as possible IN y
: nvS nothing essential q
|. tnrhed nothing torn up by the roo,
|. 10 narts rent asunder when can