The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-01-21

and simple business readjustments
as possible, nothing essential disturb
ed, nothing torn up by the roots, no
parts rent asunder which can be left
nately, no measures OF sweeping or
novel change are necessary. II vii
be understood that our object is not
to unsettle business or anywhere Sc
riously TO break its established cours
es athwart On the contrary, we de
sire the laws we are now about to
pass to be the bulwar]s and safe
guards of industry against the force
that have disturbed t. What w
have to do can be done in a new spir
it, in thoughtful moderation, without
revolution Of any untoward kind
We are al agreed that private
monopoly is indefensible and lntoler.
able and our program is founded
upon that conviction It viii be 6
comprehensive, but not radical pro
gram, and these are is items. the
changes which opinion deliberately
sanctions, and for whieh business
waits:
1T waits wish acqn1esca1ce FOR
laws which VIII eTectuaIv prohibit
and prevent such interIocking Of the
personnel OF the direotorates Ct great
corporations-banks. railroads, inGas-
trial, commercial and public service
bodies-as in effect result in making
those who borrow and those who lend
practically one and the same: those
who sell and those who buy. but the
same persons trading with one an
other under different names and in
| different combinations, and those who
affect to compete, in fact partners
and masters Of some whole fed o.
business. Sufficient time should be
allowed in which to effect these
changes of organization without in
convenience or confusion.
Such a prohibition will work more
than a mere negative good by cor
recting the serious evils which have
arisen because the men who have
been the directing spirits of the great
investment banks have usurped the
place which belongs to independent
industrial management working in its
own behalf.
J ''In the second place. business men
as we'll as those who direct public af
fairs now recognize with painful
clearness, the great harm and injus
tice which has been done to many, il
not all, Of the great railroad systems
of the country by the way in which
they have been financed ard theil
lown distinctive interests subordinat
ed to the interest Of the men who Fl
enterprises which those men wish tt
) promote. The country is ready to &C
cept with relief and approval, Q Law
/ which will confer upon the inter
state commerce commission the pow
er to superintend and regulate the fl
: nancial operations by which the rail
roads are henceforth to be supplied
with the money they need for theil
| proper development to meet the rap
; idly growing requirement S of the
: country for increased ard aImprovet
r transportation facilities. Upon thi
iquestion those who are chiefly re
: sponsible for the actual management
/ and operation CT the railroads have
: spoken plainly and earnestly with
r purpose we ought to be quick to &C
. cept. 1t will be. one step, and yer,
2 important one, toward the necessar.
: separation Of the business Of rro1gc
). ton from the business OF transrorta
, tion.
:. THE business Of the countr.
: awaits and has suffered because
could not obtain further and more ez
, plIcit legislative definition of the 70
4 icy and meaning Of the existing ant
: trust law Surely we are sufficient
familiar with the actual process an
methods of monopoly and the man
hurtful restraints OF trade to max
+ definition possible. at any rate up t
:, the limits Of what experience has di.
!. closed. These practices can be e,
;, plicitly forbidden by statute in sue
:. terms as will practically eliminat
uncertainty, the law itself and tn
: penalty being made equally plain.
Business men of the country d.
sire something more than that tn
menace of legal process in these ma
= ters be made explicit and intelligibl
They desire the advice. the defni'
guidance and information which ca
= be supplied by an administratiy
= body, an interstate trade commission
'The opinion of the country wou
'0 instantly approve of such a commi