South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-19
STANDARD OIL AND ARMOR PLATE
"OCTOPUSES" ON OUR LIST.

An now watch our chest expand We are on the
correspondence list OF the Bethlehem Steel Co. Mr.
Charles NJ. Schwab president We do not know exact
~ TO Charley's correspondence list,
but we re there and ne loves that writing
almost daily. He is putting right this wild at
tempt Of the government install plate plant
manufacture OF plate for the Late
prices quoted the government by Mr. Schwab he ad-
mts to be considerably below what charged be-
fore the installation this plant became serious
matter, and yet plate is going all the while.
He says the people ought be kind and gentle, and
considerable to Bethlehem, and Carnegie and Midwife
steel this philanthropy. They put it up to
US to tell the people
And have another correspondent of the "octo-
pus school who has just recently discovered 1t is
Standard Oi-of John d. Rockefeller fame. He wants
give his side the people, incident to this threat
congressional investigation, inspired by gasoline
with which he being confronted, and this reminds
US:
Fishing as recreation is a fine thing. 1t promotes
such excellent qualities patience endurance and spir
itual contemplation. But when congress goes after a
criminal conspiracy by the Standard octopus it
simply bats hook for sharks and drops its line in
wash tub figuratvey speaking, when 1t ought to be
eonscentiousy saving wood. 1t will land only fool
ish demonstration patience and endurance and gas
oIine-buying have already all they want Of
such.
For over years had congressional law enough
to Jail every trust cOnspiratOr in the country Con-
victions frequent enough or
serious enough TO slightest effect deter
rent The U. S supreme has emascuated what
law had and the conspirators have abandoned the
practice getting together formal meeting to
coct crime That's relief public has out
Of legislation and it has paid finally all the costs on
both sides OF the in getting that
We doubt much If there is conspiracy in the
present situation that is at all tangible Conspiracy
isn't necessary. One man, orders this or
that done is the height Of efficiency. Ye gods!
under business ethics it isn't conspiracy its in
spirationi
Moreover this crminality. there mighty few
business concerns that not guilty Of would be-
if they could.
The Standard octopus like the sea creature after
which is named only with which to
prey it also power discharge vol
ume black fluid conceal its movements when at
tackled. The situation opaque and will get moth
ing by fishing in waters Right pat Senator
Lodges exclamation the senate the other day, why
the supreme dissolved Standard OIL didn't it ?"
1t is pretty clearly demonstrated that such is the
frightful evil OF decentralization can't "regu-
late" corporation to the any substantial
public, without breaking that corporation.
Years years attempted legislation prosecution
Investigation regulation making it more and
clear that competition is the only
lief from corporation monopoly In the necessaries of
life.
Let congress instead Of hopeessy fishing in the inly
fluid squeezed the Standard octopus by SUI
preme court open up the government oil territory
and start a refineries Observe how promptly the
arrnor and powder monOpoles have dropped upon
their knees the first congressional peep about gov
eminent competition. To catch octopi bait with oco-
pus To down pests breed germs that consume pests
If it weren't for political that always buzzing
in hair we'd learn a lot from fishermen and bac-
terologists that we apply. great advantage
TO economies
Incident which, of course, enjoying our
new and aristocratc correspondents-but wouldn't
be suckers to Well fishermen say suckers
don't bite anyhow"