Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1914-04-02
OUT IN THE OPEN

The demand of the present day is that business big we'll
little shall be done in the open for the simple that
has long been done in the dark The people and
derstand what is being DONE With but exceptions all
business carried much indeed that the
who it know very little Of what they have
doing what the actual income is whether the profits
safe or not passing permanent Partly result of the
shock which has from the little knowledge that
secured in recent corporate affairs partly result of
the few effective statutes which have been passed. but still
result of awakened and enlightened public dis
cusson the feeling growing business world that bust
should not be conducted in the dark but that business
should be done with all the facts known Business
ginning to realize that the only industrial
vesng is to decree that business shall
the open.
Public discussion makes clear which are often in
distinct, unanayzed and understood It clarifies issues
and gives right minded men of good intentions proper support
and approval.
Well informed public opinion emphasizing right stand
ards OF conduct IS farreacng Influence for good Only
few feel above the law above the moral com
mumty Conditions they have beenor today are al
ready UNNECESSARILY mproved-were gradual DEVELOPMENT
Such publicity as we have had recently in business affairs
spasmodc and incomplete has been nevertheless I'M
denab been productive great good Many standards have
been established and accepted Much done freely and
matter of ago regarded as wrong
ana immoral publicity statute would have valuable
and far reaching results.
Today almost impossible condition exists in business
Business supposed to make prices regulate pro
auction on the basic economic principles of supply and demand
but under the complicated conditions that in bust
ness and under the with which corporations
ed the conditions OF supply and demand unknown
are called upon to determine the policy that will vitality affect
themselves and other people, upon incomplete information In
many businesses the fighting the dark brings about
conditions that deporab from every standpoint are
the conditions in business where methods
IN the suppression of competition Cut competitive con-
dons frequently arise from misrepresentation The most dis
urg Influence business today the false reports of CON
dlon which is made by the buyer his effort to discover
weak points in the selling market Almost only source of
information that manufacturer has his competitor
is doing this Enthusiastically information that is given to him
by the buyer.
Action which is most unjust and deporabe frequently
taken upon this false inormation; and this action would not
De taken II the truth had been known This condition so
widespread and so serious that it cannot continue
Men tried to overcome this condition by making price agree
mens socaled "gentlemens agreements combinations of
manufacturers to limit production prices These de-
vices are property condemned They are neither for the good
OF business nor for the good the community whole They
are however eforsmproper efforts may be true-o cure
situation which exists and which be cured This sitna
ton would very properly and effectively be cured by pub
city statute Business could then rid their minds Of all
thought OF doing business secret making secret rebates
condentas differena and other discriminating
pVes what other business doing would he known
Misrepresentation could not be made dstrus would he elm
mated Then competition could be fair and could produce Of
ecve and satisfactory results Men then turn their
non to the reduction Of COSTS to the efficient Of
their business. on'' -