The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1915-02-17

sense and from the earliest dawn o
our law recognized by jurists al
ground of relief? 1t is made the dut,
of the Government by the Sherman
Act to eradicate monopolics created
by practices recognized by jurists al
immoral and unfair. In the light o.
reason others are to be treated as {
part of the commercial institutions
but subject to be overthrown b. new
conditions which may arise out oil
human progress along natural lines
What human progress has brought in
to being may by progress be destroy
ed. On every hand we see the wealth
of yesterday destroyed by the inventions
Of today. No monopoly is intrenched
sufficiently to stand against attack by
stronger artillery. Any trust which
fails to share it's commercial advan-
tage with the community, or which
does not lead in the prompt adoption
of mechanical appliances and CONNER
cial methods enabling it to give the
most satisfactory service, is doomed to
destruction under operation of the
law of "the survival of the fittest.'
Eject on Business
Big business paid little attention to
this great statute during the recon-
struction which followed the panic of
1893. The confirmation of the gold
standard by the elections in 1896 and
the entry by the United States into
world wide affairs, both political and
Industrial, after the Spanish War,
marked the beginning of an era of in
dustrial activity Incompatible in in
tensity with any previous period.
Trade and manufacture increased with
leaps and bounds. Fiscal organiza-
iton adapted to former times became
utterly inadequate to the new condi-
lions. Before this time the corpora
lions had largely absorbed individuals
and partnerships, but now something
more comprehensive has occurred. The
holding company afforded the ma
chinery suited to the exigency. Labor
at unprecedented wages found en-
ployment. Luxuries of one day be-
came necessities of the next, causing
inevitable increase in the cost of liv-
ing. 1t is safe to say that at no time
since the beginning of time, and at no
place in the world, were people so
well fed, so well clothed, so well
housed, and so bountifully supplied
with amusement and recreation as in
the United States during the first
decennial of this century. But in the
new structures of business the con-
troll of money had increased its power
over affairs, and power eXcites envy
in the heart of those who have failed
in their ambition to attain it. Few men
who have been masters over small
things are contented subordinate in
the enlarged organizations composed
of these small things. We can read
lily understand why those who lost
commanding position by this change
in the order of things are joining in
the cry of discomfort so prevalent
throughout the land. But the rank and
file of the army of discomfort is of
far sturdier material and its spirit is
far nobler than jealousy and envy.
The captains of industry by de-
veloping the trust demonstrated the
Industrial economy Of centralized in
dustry Energy which was exhaust
ed under the competitive system in
the scramble for customers is employ
ed under the monopolistic system in
creative work, enabling the trust to
give better service at reduced price.
The trusts have centralized factories
and housed them according to the most
enlightened sanitary science. Child
labor has been discontinued; shorter
hours give more time for culture and
old age and disability
pensions are provided, and with 1T all, |
the wage scale is higher than ever
Why, then, dissatisfaction of the en-
ployed? The answer is found in a
truth demonstrated by all history.
Human life is struggle inspired by
hope and aspiration for improved
conditions. We have seen concentra-
ion under one management and one
iscal organization an entire industry,
With advantage to the labor employed
n manufacture, and with advantage to
he final consumer. 1t is not that
many have drawn the conclusion that
such benefit can come from partial
proportionately greater
BENEFITS will follow concentration of
IL industry in the state, where every
member can have an equal voice in
the management and where
he opportunity will be open to all to
ecome directing officer. The argu-
lent cannot be brushed aside by call
ng it socialism. On those unwilling