The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-06-16
Bu,ine,, "a LesislatisnI.

In announcing his standfaN opposition 70 any posi-
pouemen OF the trust legislation pending in Congress
President Wilson yesterday let the nations business
interests know just where they stand Business Is
thing apart from the government enemy as it were
The views and opinions of its representatives are
unworthy of consideration and their wishes are val
liable only for the purpose of debating admnstrs-
tion policy in opposition to them.
The business men of the country recognize serious
depression amounting almost to stagnaton, existing
everywhere They believe that, with the promise of
a bountiful harvest and favorable decision in the
railway rate case, the only other thing necessary to
restore prosperity the postponement for this ses-
sion OF Congress of further legislation affecting bust
ness. They know that hundreds of thousands of men
are out of employment; they believe that there will
soon be work for them if Congress will adjourn and
halt the ceaseless output of inimical laws.
The President, the other hand refuses to rec
ognize any actual for business depression, and
believes that industrial conditions will be improved by
laws 1t is his belief that the representatives OF
industry are talking depression merely in the hope OF
preventing the enactment of such laws. The admins
tration regards reprehensible the efforts Of big
business interests to influence Congress to suspend
its legislative program The situation is exactly as
was described SO impressivey by Frank A. Vanderp.
in his address to the bankers last week Government
is at war with business.
The attitude of the administration is susceptible
of but two interpretations. Either it is deliberately
seeking to inure the nations business it has such
sublime confidence in the bene6cence of its own
policies that it has determined pursue them to the
end in the face of the firm and unanimous conviction
of the business world and in defiance of its protests
and pleadngs.
There can be no shadow of doubt that the bust
ness men of the country who should be better in
formed and capable of correct judgment than
any else, sincere in their belief that further
legislation will be injurious Otherwise what can
be their object in persstenty urging its postpone
men until the country recover from the effects
of the laws already on the statute books! Why
should they compacently permit, if not actually
urge the completion of the Presidents program at
the present session.
There is no sound reason for believing that the
business interests making false representations.
Common sense compels the belief that what they are
asking Congress to do they convinced will revive
industry. With industry and business active the I'M
employed must necessarily find something to do. 1t
industry and business continue to languish the
workingman's plight cannot be ameliorated.
What then, can be the aim of the administration?
Is it wise or safe to deny business voice in at
pie? Perhaps the party in power expects to be able
to present to the world the spectacle of country
prospecting whose government is engaged in war OF
determination against the industrial forces which make
and sustain it.