New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-27
Batting of Big Enterprises
Our Great Menace, Man
ufaCturerS Are Told.
UNIONS HAVE BEEN
CRIME PROTECTORS
EX-President Terms Clayton
and Trade Commission Acts
ShackleS on Trade.

in an address last night At the annual
banquet Of the National Association OF
Manufacturers. severely criticised the
Clayton act and the Federal Trade
Commission act as detrimental TO the
business interests Of the country and
denounced the leaders OF the American
Federation Of Labor for exercising
power that has become excessive and
detrimental 10 the public veal and the
good of society"
Professor Taft was co-speaker with
Senator Warren G. Harding. of Ohio,
who declared that "the greatest men
ace Of American progress is the profes-
sional batting Of big enterprises
81 fully approve said the former
President, "of the principle of labor
unions. believe that they are essen
tial to creating a state of equality OF
dealing between employees and employ
ers. | believe that they have made pos
sible the enactment of great deal OF
most healthful and useful legislation
and have greatly aided the just cause
Of wage earners in this regard.
But the power their leaders have
acquired by the principle Of combina-
ton in their organization has intoXl-
Gated them, and they nave exercised a
tyranny over society and over their
own members that is certainly leading
TO reaction and to restraint of their
great powers within proper and lawful
limits.
They have failed TO condemn in any
wav. a they ought, the use OF criminal
methods to which in a lawiess spirit
their representatives at various times
have seen fit to resort. They have
raised large funds in the defence OF
men who have proven TO be by their
own confessions vIOlatorS Of the erin
inal law, and they have manifested a
desire 70 secure In express statutory
declarations an immunity Tor LABOR
unions from the operation of general
Laws that should be uniform. In other
words. they have sought to make them
selves and their agents q privileged
class not subject to the laws that AFFECT
every other man and even themselves
whea not engaged in labor disputes.
I'VE must, Of course, cOnccde that
many of the leaders would be glad 70
utter protests and interfere with these
illegal methods that have been pur-
sued. but there are politics within
labor unions and labor union ccnven-
tions, and the loudest and most violent
extremists are too often elements 70
be reckoned with in maintaining the
leadership of such unions. The quiet,
sensible, conservative membe4s OF the
union. of whom there are many more
than we realize, do not exercise the IN
fuence which their numbers would
often enttle them TO. such members
manifest their opinions IN elections
where, in the secrecy OF the election
booth. they vote their real opinions
and often refuse to obey the lorna
declarations of political policy maze
under the influence OF the conspicuous
labor leaders
Mr. Taft said his objections to the
Clayton act and the Trade Commissloh
act uere that their enactment with
such a bare Of trumpets ana avo"al
Of hostility TO capital i'm general, with
tendency TO frignten those whose judg-
mont determines the amount Of new
Investments Of capital and thus to
restrict the normal expansion OF our
business due 20 the re-investment OF
earnings
The speaker attacked the personnel
of tho members of the trade commits
sion as not such as to give great pubic
confidence in their experience or Iudg-
mert Not one Of them" he said, can
no ssid 10 have national standing as a
business man or a lawyer, and while
the standard suggested for the com
mission was that OF judges OF our ma
tional Supreme Court, ! regret to say
FIAT il has not been met IN the actual
selection Of the board
Speaking Of the "Inqulsitlonal pow
ors" Of the commission, Mr.. Tart SuE-
qe,ted that while they might not be iu
violation Of the Fourth Amendment OF
the Constitution providing against un-
reasonable searches. they do have q
tendency 20 bring about the evl'
against which the amendment was d.
rectcd"
Fear Of the excessive and unjust use
of, this innovation in the law rs a
legitimate cause for alarm 70 the busl-
ness interests of the country ne
said
Referring to the provisions Of tho
CLAYTON act dealing with labor organ
cations and agricultural associations
MIR. Taft declared that violations on m.
antitrust act by such organization.
by injury 10 business or property OF
the employer, or by the use OF what
is called the compound boycott. are
still subject 20 civil action. equitable
restraint or criminal prosecution under
the antitrust law
Senator Warren G.. Harding, OF ONO
called for "A nation wide awakening "a
the problems growing out OF eNcep
tional development Of manufacturing
and unhampered business. The needed
solution has been disturbing he SAID
because certain regulations and re
strictions had been quite properly re
ouired. and this problem had MADE IL
possible for the dcmagogue TO inter.
fere with profit 10 himself ana gtea'
injury to legitimate business.
Senator Harding warned tnat "hen
Furope turned to the rehabilitation
and construction of peace, there "oulu
be struggle for industrial supreme
such as the world had never WI
messed America. with her resource
genius. talent, efficiency ana encouI
scement Of marvellous Development ne
insisted. must be equipped.
.oLO urn rnD CANAL Y