The Washington herald., 1917-12-15


Of the export trade bill is in order
now. The public wants to know. in
word. what are the salient points
of that legislation. and what are the
dangers that may be encountered in
its administration.
First-The object OF the legislation.
1t is to promote the trade of the
United States in foreign countries
and to raise some of the bars in for
eign trade which have prevented
trusts and combinations from being
operated in the restraint of trade in
this country.
Second-Arguments in favor of the
bill. 1t accomplishes its end without
sacrificing any of the rights OF the
people, If its administrative officers
exercise extraordinary effort in this
direction. 1t offers encouragement to
our business combinations. and puts
them on a parity-perhaps even at q
slight advantage-in competing with
trade organizations in other parts of
the world.
Third-Arguments against the bill.
These, as culled from the Senate de-
bate. are: That it does not entirely
protect the people of this country Z,
that some ri our antitrust laws are
repealed by II, and that, eventually.
1t will work against the interest of
the masses. The contention is that
the allied trusts are in favor Of this
legislation; that the antitrust legisla-
tion which 1t has required years to
enact and amend and construe Is by
this act virtually "disemboweled:"
that this law with its companion
piece 'the fair-trade or anti-price
bill" shows a division of effort on the
part of the trusts. by which they ex-
pect to regain much of the ground
trust legislation, and that. in fact,
1t is a delayed but nevertheless ef-
fective instrument of monopolization.
1t would do little good to review
the act, section by section. for the
public at large. The process might
be more confusing than illuminat-
ing.
The truth is, that only by the
strictest enforcement and the ut
most publicity can this measure
succeed. Not even its most ardent
friends can deny that "sub-rosa"
OPCi otioh VI lHc 10" VIII uOl OpcT
ate for the public good. There must
be publicity of it. and more public
ity, and still more publicity. And
every hour Of every day, every day
Of the year, the officials, whose bus
mess it is to enforce the law-chief-
ly the trade commission and the at
torney general Of the United States
must exercise the utmost vigil
Ia 70 hak L. T. k~&z
preted and administered with the
good of the entire country at heart.
If the time ever comes when Fed
eral trade commissioners too friend
ly to the privileged interests get in
control of the laws operation, it
will be a bad day for the public at
large. Or IL an attorney general.
too friendly to the giga ntic inter-
ests, gets behind their views of the
law, that, too, will be a bad day for
the public.
Passage of this law brings to the
surface what has been long con-
tended in this column-that with
the autocratic powers given over
to our administrative officers 1t be-
hooves the people to Keep on guard
Neither the fates of war, nor the
efforts to make their own living,
day by day, should suppress or de-
vitalize their interest and their par
ticipation in public affairs. They
should keep in touch with the de-
velopments of government-and
with the specific acts Of their pub
lie servants. If there is not enough
detail to be had, through the Gus
tomary channels Of publicity, the
avenues should be widened. Con-
gress should at all times be willing
to reflect the demand Of the pub
lie for more information, and Of
ficials, in charge Of our revolution
ary laws. should be at all times
prepared to enlighten> the public
comprehensively upon their acts as
public servants.
The day Of disinterest Is past. The
people must keep alert. They have
everything to lose IL they go to
sleep, and they have much to gain II
they stay awake. They must select
men as their servants who are doubly
capable Of watching the operation Of
the various departments. and who are
doubly possessed OF a sincere desire
to protect the public from profteering.
But here. we say. another point may
be brought to the attention Of the pub
lie with some profit perhaps. Just a.
It IL necessary to select men Of sta.
bility and courage and brains to rep.
q M