The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1914-01-29
WILSON OUTLINES
HIS TRUST POLICY
SAYS THE GOVERNMENT AND
BUSINESS MEN ARE READY TO
MEET EACH OTHER HALF WAY.
Declares Punishment Should Fall on
individuals Responsible for IN
lawful Business Practices, as
Well as Upon Corporations.

Washington. - President Wilson
personally laid before a joint session
Of congress on Tuesday, January 20
the fundamental principles Of the
Democratic administration program
for dealing with trusts and big bust
ness" The president presented the
case, he said, as 1t lies in the
thought of the country" reiteratine
that private monopoly is indefensible
and intolerable,' and declaring that
conscientious business men through
out the nation would not be satisfied
until practices now deprecated by
public opinion as restraints of trade
and commerce we're corrected.
| The president spoke as follows:
Gentlemen OF the Congress: In
my report On the State of the
Union which 1 had the privilege of
| reading to you on the LIST of Deem
| 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 dis
posed OF, but also because opinion
seems to be clearing about us with
singular rapidity in this other great
field OF action.' In the matter of cur
rency 1t cleared suddenly and very
happily after the much debated act
was passed; In respect OF the monop-
olies which have multiplied about us
and In regard to the various means
by which they have been organized
and maintained. 1t seems to be COM
Ing to clear and all but universal
agreement In anticipation of our ac-
ton. as II by way of preparation,
making the way easier to see and
easier to set out on with confidence
and without confusion of counsel.
Legislation has its atmosphere
like everything else, and the atmos-
phere of accommodation and mu-
tual understanding which we now
breathe with SO much refreshment is
matter of sincere congratulation. II
ought to make our task very much
less difficult and embarrassing than
II would have been had we been
Obliged to continue to act amidst the
atmosphere OF suspicion and antagon-
ism which has so long made 1t i'm
possible TO approach such questions
with dispassionate fairness. Con
structive legislation, when success
ful, Is always the embodiment of con-
vincing experience and of the ma
ture public opinion which finally
springs out of that experience. Leg.
lslation Is a business of interpreta,
ton, not Of origination, and it is now
plain what the opinion is to which
we must give effect in this matter
IL Is not recent or hasty opinion. II
springs out Of the experience of
whole generation. 1t has clarified It.
self by long contest and those who
Tor long time battled with 1t and
sought to change 1t are now frankly
and honorably yielding to Ii and
seeking to conform their actions to
II.
Ways Of Liberty, Ways Of Peace.
The great business men who or.
ganlzed and financed monopoly and |
those who administered 1t in actual |
every day transactions have year af- |
ter year, until now, either denied its
existence or justified II as necessary
for the effective maintenance and
development of the vast business
processes of the country In modern
OF trade and mann.
facture and finance; but all the while
opinion has made head against them.
The average business man is CON
WINGED that the ways of liberty are
Also the ways OF peace and the ways
OF success as well, and at last the
masters OF business on the great scale
have begun to yield their preference
ana purpose, perhaps their Judgment
Also, In honorable surrender.
What we areN purposing to do.
therefore. is. happily. not to hamper
or interfere with business as en-.
iehtened business men prefer to do
Y, or IN any sense to put IL under the
IAN. The antagonism between bust.
less and government Is over. We are
low ABOUT to give expression to the
'est business Judgment of America L
o what we know to be the business
conscience and honor of the law. The
government and business men are
eady to meet each other half wav Il
n common effort to square business
Methods with both public opinion and |,
he law. The best informed men az
be business world condemn the (
nethods and processes and conse. |
uences OF monopoly as we condemn {
hem; and the instructive judgment I
the vast majority OF business men l
verywhere goes with them. We IL
hall now be their spokesman. That {
the strength of our position and q
he sure prophecy OF what viii en- a
le when our reasonable work Is a
one
Safe and Sane Remedy.
When serious contest ends. when
len unite in opinion and purpose u
lose who are to change their WAYS a
business Joining with those who y
sk Tor the change. 1t is possible To :,
neet II IN a way in which prudent a
hd thoughtful and patriotic mep a
ould wish TO see II brought abont :
I'm as few, as slight, as easy and A
hpie business Establishments as nos. "
Us In the circumstances. nothinr !.
'sential disturbed. nothing torn mn >,
, the roots, no parts rent asunder IA
htch can be left i'm wholesome com, ~
nation. Fortunately. no measures :,
sweeping or novel change are =,
sesssary. 1t will be understood thar .,
ir object is not to unsettIe business =,
anywhere seriously to break lis
'taolished courses athwart ON the =,
'ntrary, we desire the laws We ar, y