The Washington times., 1915-06-20
Trade Commissions Policy.

SOHuUlSSlOH
"One of the recent agencies devised
by government in connection with its
relationship to business and industry is
the Federal Trade Commission. Con-
gress created 1t as an agency to destroy
what has been termed the seeds OF
monopoly 1t is clothed with the power
to prevent unfair pra aCtices of competi-
ton in commerce. Unfair methods of
competition have been in the past the
principal weapons OF and in the pro-
ducing of the monopoly.
There Is no doubt but that one of the
essential purposes underlying the crea-
ton of the Federal Trade Commission
agency to make more easy the accom-
mediation of business to the require
ments which government imposes for
the benefit Of society.
1t will be the purpose Of the Federal
Trade Commission to tranlate this idea.
which was so largely responsible for
its creation. into its policy and attitude
toward business and the public interest.
The interest of the public. CT complain
ants. and those complained against all
require that in the accommodation of
business processes to Government re-
quirements Establishments shall be
brought about as easily and with es
much sueed as Is consistent with law
and due regard for the right of all con-
cerned. Business men today do not de-
sire to Intentionally 6isobey the law. A
common understanding of the facts ar
rived at through full and frank confer
ence Of persons complained of with the
Federal Trade Commission may fire.
quently result in the stopping OF the
alleged unfair practices more expe-
ditiously than would lengthy lcEalisic
procedure. 1t Is in the Interest OF the
public that processe of suitable and
amicable accommodation should be first
exhausted bv the Federal Trade Com
mission before 1t snonld institute formal
complaints embarktng upon long and
technical course of legal procedure.
The purpose of the Federal Trade
Commission is not to harass. but to
help-not to make a legalistic record,
but to bring relief and aid: and to eff
ficiently serve the public interest and
To bring first aid to the competitor in
jjured before the patient is exhausted
by long drawnout technicalities of le-
gal action.
Cooperation In Foreign Trade.
"One of the most significant facts In
the evolution of modern world industry
] has been the development of interna-
tional cartels in Europe. These organi-
cations have existed in over a hundred
different lines of industry for the pur-
pose.s among others, of promoting for
eign trade and of effecting economics In
distribution in world competition. 1t has
|
| ican manufacturers for the purpose OF
| engaging in export trade be permitted
| for similar economics in export trade.
"ln fields of international commerce
conditions now so obtain as to be pro
Sibitive of enterprise upon the part Of
| the smaller manufacturer in the ex
tension of his markets abroad. The
cost may be too great. The trust car
afford and does establish branch
agencies in the various countries of the
earth. The smaller men can reach tn,
market only through cooperation will
others. The very rule designed for tn
protection and aid of mediuc-sized bust
ness units within II applied. prevent
growth and development without. Com
petition in the foreign field Is assureC
by reason OF the internal tional characte
OF the market and the contest there
fore by European manufacturers
Preservation OF regulated competition
at home is a matter OF capacity 70
administration. Entirely apart from
anv question of the desirability or un
desirability of departing upon a polic,
OF extending or permitting cooperation
in forcing trade, these distinction
should be observed. These are matter
connected with the Sherman law 4
connection with foreign trade to whicl
the American people must address theI
sttsnuoA--