The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-25
WHO ARE THE MEMBERS
CONTINUED from Page one.l
the business world expected and had a
right to expect.


the business world expected and had
right to expect. .-
Has Great Power.
No regulatory body on earth has
which the trade commission is author
lied by law to exercise. -ss a4s.s =
The life or death of large scale bus
mess from end to end of the United
States has been placed in it's hands
The Interstate commerce commits
sion's powers have been enormous, but
these powers were confined to the
nations railroads.
The new commission can deal with
any and every other industry in the
Union-and can even become force
in having tariff schedules raised or
lowered.
Such a task were none too light for
the five ablest business men in the
land.
Yet who has President Wilson, with
one hundred million population to
choose from, selected?
OF the five, only one has establish
ed anything of national reputation
for practical ability in handling i'm
portant business activities. That is
the virtually unanimous verdict of the
foremost men of affairs in this part
of the country
Nothing interesting is known or all
legged against any Of the quintette. 1t
is taken for granted that they are all
estimable citizens, honest and con-
scientiOus. But if lawyers Of similar
caliber were placed in a body upon
the United States supreme court what
howl would go up, business men
point out.
Huge Uncertainty.
''The business world has had in
jected into it another huge uncertain
ty."' said one business man OF ma
tional fame. "And we have had
enough uncertainty already" he add
ed. II rather fear the bloom has
been taken off things. 1t is a pity
the president did not find heavier men
for such tremendous responsibilities
as are thrown upon the trade COM
mission by the law providing for it,
One of Americas best known finan-
ciers. friend and admirer of Presi-
dent Wilson, said:
~ do not know anything about most
of them.
with the whole country to choose
from l would have thought Mr.. Will
son could have gotten men who would
have inspired more confidence
throughout the business world.
But you must remember that the
president of the United States has to-
day about as many troubles on his
hands as the kaiser"
/ Nobody of note II willing to guess what
tie commission will do or attempt to do.
Everybody recognizes that 1t can, If II
Wills, upset the established order of con-
| Quoted corporate activities, even IL it can
not improve upon them-for even COM
mercia1 supreme courts cannot abrogate
+, economic laws older and more entrenched
than the Rocky mountains.
l. May Go Slowly.
The philosophic view taken by some un-
Quenchable optimists is that the trade
commission. realizing its own mental limi-
1 tatiOns. will go very slowly for some time
just the Sherman law was innocUous
for years. The best that anybody holding
responsible positions in the world Of af.
fairs hopes for is that the commission will
not prove disturbing factor.
Regret Is freely expressed that the presi
dent did not rise above political cOnsidera
tons In selecting high grade commission
ers and name men of caliber that woult
have left little room for cavil or criticism
1 hear that Mr.. Wilson is more of
recluse than any other president of mod
ern times. and that the few intimates ant
relatives who surround him take elaborat,
precautions to prevent him from coming
into first hand contact with unpleasant
subjects.
t But this cannot be discussed adeauatel,
! at the tail Of an article.