The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-15
HALT'CALLEDIN
COURT WAR ON
BIG BUSINESS
Washington, Heeding the
Country's Sentiment, Orders
Stop to Trust Batting.
ACTUAL CONSTRUCTIVE
POLICY DECIDED UPON

w,sntNGToS. July 1i.--For severa,
months a change has been coming over
the Administrators attitude toward
business SO gradual has been this
change that it virtually has passed un-
noticed in Washington, but developments
OF the last few days make 1T apparent
that orders have gone out to all in the
capital. the high and the low, to do
everything possible to help. not hinder,
business.
The President and his advisers have
no, themselves changed as regards this
subject. The change, as viewed here.
has been In the attitude OF the country
toward business. and the business ad-
mlnistration has merely been trimming
sails. for political reasons, to catch the
new breezes
Announcements made within the last
few days have been highly significant.
but none more so than a statement to-
day by Attorney-General Gregory. In
talking with the newspaper correspond
ents Mr.. Gregory said that. notwith-
standing that the Government will take
an appeal In the Steel Corporation case
and that other trust cases now pending
In the courts will be followed to
their logical conclusions, the Govern
ments interest in the enforcement of the
anti-trust statutes may not be neglected
In any way. yet he was free to admit
that lately the trusts have been on
their good behavior"
Tiis WAS regarded as an admission
that, while pending cases will be car
RED through to the highest court. even
In the face of adverse decision. the Gov
eminent has In contemplation no new
court attacks upon big business.
Tire Of Trust Busting.
Evidences have indicated for some
time q II the Government was growing
weary OF the trust busting business and
that recent adverse decisions in the Fed
eral courts constituting the Sherman law.
together with an aroused public senti-
ment against the continued batting OF
business by the Government. were exert
INK a restraining influence on the Gov
ernments representatives.
Al the same time the suggestion was
made that the newly created Federal
Trade Commission would in large
measure take over the task OF disciplin-
ing business and that hereafter no busi-
r"ss would he subjected to penalties un-
Ill II has had its day in court and has
ueen itro, Led Al cnance 10 eIedn house.
announcements within the last few days
from tine new Federal Trade Commission
have served TO emphasize the fact that
that body is concerned at present more
deeply over the possibility of helping
business than it is in exercising Gestruc-
tive influences
The worst blow dealt TO the Govern
r-ut recently "a T. ATTACKS on business
Vas the refusal OF the Supreme Court
- lJimous decision to review the
Cash Register cases, involving the Grim
Nai sections OF the sherman law. the
omission VAS made in the Govern
nents brief in that case that II the mo-
lion for d review was denied "A serious
blow would he delivered to the Govern
ments efforts to enforce the criminal
sections In any other case.
After this decision Department OF JUS
tice officials took a gloomy view of Grim
indl prosecutions under the sherman
law and there have been suggestions
lha, trust busting was rapidly verging
toward state where 1t might be de-
scribed as a lost art
Inquiries to BE Thorough.
The suggestion of the Attorney Cen
trdl that the trusts are on their good
behavior is viewed by many here as
one way of covering the Governments
retreat from the trust battlefield.
The Federal Trade Commission al
'eady has mapped out for itself a large
programme of constructive activity.
Leaving Washington this month the COM
mission will hold hearings in many cities,
including Chicago. indianapolis and ST.
raul and then proceed westward to
'he coast Many phases OF the trust
problem will be surveyed and big busi-
ness will be heard
Unfair trade practices. where alleged.
will be Investigated before any prosecu-
IONS are started on merely ex parte
showing Apparently the policy of the
government hereafter will be to shift
'be burden of proof from the accused
70 the accuser and men In business will
nave the privilege accorded by the courts
10 the lowest criminal of being pre-
slmed innocent in the absence OF proof
o. gul.
An 'her significant undertaking on the
part Of the new trade commission Is
us move TO aid the business meN OF the
country in obtaining additional credits
10 winch their business operations may
'NN'l' them. II also prop, ses 10 aid
business in establishing standard sys-
"m Of bookkeeping and cost accounts.
Inc commission Is now working on
pans for dividing the country into zones
ana maintaining in each experts In ac-
vomiting and manufacturing, upon whom
manufacturers, merchants and business
msN m'} call f,r expert advice and as
Sstance IN establishing reforms.
| evidently the Wilson Administration
"as seen the political necessity OF chang
ls H. policy toward business. The
tIrsdeuts advisers are learning from
r,ntF priyat" sources of information what
.nh NlN's recent canvass disclos, d. that
"n'e the President stands high per-
"ndIy with the country and might hope
!" Vote OF confidence from the people
VI nus PERSONAL merits, he is weak to-day
a.H meuaced by political defeat because
-" 'nc disastrous effects of certain gov
onmen'1l policies OF his party upon the
country
IN" President and his advisers are
~ 7" This drift oF sentiment, More
'"" one symptom Of the changed atti-
1'e oi the Administration IN the direc-
o." oI conservatism is noted. But one
~ N" most striking symptoms to the
'gas" political observer here Is the
,on,rha'lon of suspicion that has re-
my been growing that the practice
| ,sH'h'ng the Government gan into big
lsN'ss simply to hear 1t roar is no
'"sH 20 he tolerated.