South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-10-06
Perkins Business Associate
Points Out Constructive Aid
Robustness, Democrats Prouide

William Lawrence Saunders. chair
man OF the board Of directors OF
the Ingersoll Band Co. has written an
open letter TO George W. Perkins in
reply TO Mr.. Perkins letter TO Sec'y
Tumulty. criticizing Pres't wilson's
speech before the National Grain
Dealers association at Baltimore. on
Monday, Sept. %.
Mr.. Saunders is a director Of
many large corporations including
the International Harvester Co, with
which Mr.. Perkins has long been
associated, and the nifty million dol
lar American corporation organized
by the National City bank to cap
ture world trade for the United
States.
Mr.. Saunders letter to Mr.. Per-
kins follows:
Il have seen in the public press
your letter addressed 10 Mr.. Tumul-
", in which you say that you de
sire 10 vigorously protest against
Pres't Wilson's speech in Baltimore"
There is no doubt about the vigor
of your desire and protest but I
notice that the superlative degree in
which your letter is tuned is con-
fined more TO an expression of your
opinion than 10 recital OF a criu-
cism of the facts.
You begin by saying that lit is
the evident intent to make people
believe that during the Wilson ad-
ministration a vast amount of con-
structive legislation has been en-
acted by congress to promote the
business interests of the country"
You deny that this is the case and
give as a reason for it that the Sher-
man law is still on the statute books.
on this subject you conclude by ask
ing wherein has the federal trade
commission the power 10 modify the
Sherman law in the slightest de-
gTee 20
Accepts Challenge.
1t is refreshing that in a campaign
so malicious, so full of misrepresen-
tations. and so little given on the
part Of the republican party TO real
criticism of the issues, we should
ind some one ready TO challenge the
economic policy of the Wilson ad-
ministration. / accept the challenge
and thank you for the opportunity.
/ do not think that you will dis
pute my right TO speak as a business
man, for you have done me the
honor during the past ten years of
sending me pamphlets recording
your speeches and you have voted
for me as a member of a business
directorate in which you are lead
ing factor / trust that your PAM
phlets, all of which 1 have read, will
qualify me 10 come under the class
which you designate as well in
formed men," Let me quote from
some of your pamphlets: In Octo-
Der, 1911, you vigorously protest
that the republican party has failed
10 carry out its promises in "a proper
and reasonable Interpretation of the
Sherman law and you eXclaim
WHY CANNOT A COMMISSION
BE APPOINTED IN CONNECTION
WITH OUR GREAT INDUSTRIAL
AGENCIES OF TRADE?"
Quotes From Hughes.
In looking for the kind of COM
mission that you advocate / ind in
this pamphlet that YOU make the
following quotations from Gov.
Hughes:
In the fields of industrial activity
the need is that trade should be fair
that unjust determinations and ille-
gal allowances giving preferential
access to markets should be prevent
ed: that coercive combinations and
improper practices 10 stifie compe-
tition should be dealt with regard
less of individuals: but that honest
industry, obtaining success upon its
merits. denying no just opportunity
to its competitors. should not be put
under prohibitions which mingle the
innocent and the guilty in a common
condemnation.
The line of progress lies not in ar
binary action, but in securing suit
able publicity and SUPERVISION,
and by accurate definition of wrongs
and the infiiction of proper punish
ment The processes of justice may
be slower and more labOriOus; But
IF WE DESERT THE LINES OF
SURENESS AND FAIR PLAY To
GET QUICK RESULTS THROUGH
ARBITRARY INTERFE FENCES
WITH TRADE, WE SHALL FINL
THAT SUCH SHORT CUTS LEAL
| ONLY TO DISASTER.
Quoting still further from GOV
Hughes you say:
ours must be the rule of rea-
son"
Ia your pamphlet of August Z
1911. you proceed with equal vigol
/ 10 say:
Now that our supreme court has
said that we. as a people. are en-
titled 10 proceed in the light of rea-
son. does il not behoove us all q
I lay down our arms and enter the
reconstruction PERIOD" and again:
Il pointed out the reasons VIII,
1 the business men Of the United
states have been compelled 10 aban,