The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-12
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP.
Business Men Are as Honorable rs
Statesmen.

To THE EDITOR OF THE srN-sir. In
the days OF his academic training MIR.
Wilson published n number of historical
and critical writings Astounding In sound,
conservative political doctrine. Those
productions were the result Of unpreju-
diced research and reflection, and their
expressions OF wise ideals OF the conduct
OF government rarely have been sur
passed.
AT a later period Mr.. Wilson fell
unde the influence Of the Bryan school
OF democracy. then the ruling power Of
his party. That system OF thought, or,
more properly speaking, Of sentiment,
IN Its important particulars was rad
cally opposed to the judicious viows he
had formed as an outcome Of his W
impartial study OF our national career.
Blu from that system he acquired new
ideals. led thereto no doubt by the APP
peal or their conspicuous ethical prompt
ing. And az President Of the United
states he has sought to put into effect
his adopted theories In the legislative
enactments OF the party he has domi-
mated in a manner wholly contrary to
mis- former conception OF the proper re-
strictions OF the executive function.
One after another Mr.. Wilson has wit
messed In trial the failure Of economic
policies supposed by himself and his
political associates to be infailible rem
edies for commercial distress. During
more thar a year Of the undisturbed
operation Of the new tariff law the
AFFAIRS OF industry went steadily from
bad to worse. The reformative prepos-
session that corporate bodies are essen
TALLY corrupt and unworthy of n hear
Ing In their w interest led almost to tho
bankrupting of more han one of our
great railroad systems. And the per-
laN ga 1Alt-T 49,.
trained in commercial pursuits are COM
petent without properly accredited guild
ance to provide adequately for the
needs of American shipping is about to
result In driving from the waters nearly
the last vestiges Of our foreign carry
ing trade.
Our President. as a highly intelligent
man. bound to subordinate theory to
fact. must recognize these Consequence
OF uniformed legislation. which are
plainly apparent to the entire world Of
business activity. a II then be pos
sible that there remains I'm his mind
the smallest shred of his former per
suasion that he and his political ad-
visers know more of the true needs of
our commercial undertakings han do the
representative maritime and mercantile
organizations throughout the country?
Can IL be that I'm spite Of the failure
- |Hh@ - = sfA'NAA'h ~ ms ~ We
economic remedies he is still of the
opinion that his personal inspiration Of
a government owned shipping. opposed
by practically every man qualified by
experience to judge it's merits. is a genu-
Inc revelation Of wisdom? Is 1t possible
that Mr.. Wilson has failed to learn the
most costly lesson Of his magistracy. the
lesson that the great mass of business
of the nation are az honorable as
our statesmen, and In addition are i'm
measurably better qualified to pronounce
upon the true requirements " fair bust
ness conduct and the real needs of COM
mercial advancement?
Mr.. Wilson. like all other men capable
OF conviction upon evidence. must have
by now that the fatal error
Of Organism In all its ramifications.
In well nigh every obsession
of the dominant wing OF the Democracy
from 1896 until the present time, IL an
unreasoning faith that worthy aspira-
ton embodied In governmental fiat Is
competent to override the natural laws
Of economies. Nc falser nfatuation can
a deluded party TO the betrayal
OF national trust. The record of the
present Administration has served to
evident to all men of open minds
that every attempt to enforce ideals
which run in practice counter TO those
principles Of human relation
must be fo~rcordained to failure and
II has proved ~,so that not our political
nor even our learned acade-
Tnists. but our practical business men
are the best qualified to discern the
and guide the application of
principles in the control OF COM
affairs.
In view of the awakening ~ the
Presidents mind to the necessity OF a
more liberal treatment of corporate VEN
his growing amiabili,y oward an
nnprejudiced hearing of the interests
affected by legislation. his reported CON
version to the supreme Importance Of
an impregnahlc national defence. and
particularly his admirable handling of
our difflcult international problems OF
he great war In view Of these and
other indications Of MIR. Wilson's pro-
emancipation from the illusory
deals of his unfortunately Organized
party. II seems incredible that We shall
lcar from him any further suggestion
IF Government ownership of n merchant
FREn MErcALF.
P~LAISrrgLp. y. j., August IL.