Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-07-01
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
BY CHAIRMAN JOSEPH E. DAVIES.


government in connection with it's re-
lationship to business and industry is
the Federal Trade Commission. 1t was
designed to furnish non partisan
body of men, expert upon matters con-
nected with business and industry, to
aid in the enforcement Of the law for
the benefit of the whole country, and
to aid in the accommodation of bust
ness to the demands of society as ex-
pressed through statute.
Congress created it as an agency to
destroy what has been termed the
"seeds of monopoly" 1t is clothed
with the power to prevent unfair prac-
tees of competition in commerce. Un-
fair methods of competition have been
in the past the principal weapons OF
and agencies in the producing of mono
poly. 1t is also clothed in certain cases
with power to serve as an adviser upon
the facts to the courts in their enforce
ment of the antitrust laws.
There is no doubt but that one OF the
essential purposes underlying the crea-
ton of the Federal Trade Commission
was also to provide an administrative
agency to make more easy the accom-
mediation of business to the require
ments which government imposes for
the benefit of society. This idea was
voiced with characteristic lucidlty ana
power by the President Of the United
States in his message to congress. 1t
was received with enthusiasm by the
business public and by the whole coun-
try. It resulted in the passage OF the
Federal Trade Commission bill by
practically unanimous vote OF both the
House and the Senate Of the United
States.
1t will be the purpose of the Federal
Trade Commission to translate this
idea, which was so largely responsible
for it's creation, into it's policy and attl-
tude toward business and the public in
terest. The interest of the public, or
complainants, and those complained
against, all require that in the accom-
mediation of business processes to gov
eminent requirements, readJustments
shall be brought about as easily ana
with as much speed as is consistent
with law and due regard for the
rights of all concerned. Business
men today do not desire to Intentionally
disobey the law. A common under
standing of the facts arrived at through
full and frank conference OF persons
complained of with the Federal Iraoe
Commission may frequently result IN
the stopping of the alleged unfair prac-
tees more expeditiously than would
lengthy legalistic procedure. 1t Is IN
the interest of the public that processes
of suitable and amicable accommoda-
tons should be first exhausted by the
Federal Trade Commission before 1t
should institute formal complaints en-
barking upon long and technlcal
course of legal procedure.
The purpose of the Federal Irade
Commission is not to harass, but 10
help-not to make legalistic record,
but to bring relief and aid; and to et1-
GENTLY serve the public interest and to
bring first aid to the competitor
injured before the patient is exhausted
by long drawn out technicalities OF le-
gal action. The essential thing is the
accomplishment of the effective pro-
lection of the public and of business
itself against unfair methods of compe-
tition, with due regard to the rights OF
all, as speedily and as easily possible.
The protection of the compliments,
fairness to those complained against,
and the interests of the whole COM
munity are best served by adjustments
which are founded upon justice and
fairness, but which are as immediate
in their application and relief as the
public interest and the law will permit.
Arrange to be in Linden on July 9th
to see and hear good program of ath-
letics, speaking, music, ball games and
I'D ;x,cr