New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-14

As a food producer-a farmer Woulo
lilo n sav few words relative to recent
renewed agitation by David Luoin, deiega'e
of the United States to the lnternationai In
stitute Of Agriculture, of his plan lor '"e
democratic organization" of American iar,"
ors Mr. Lubin expresses fear lest lhe
countrv's morals be endangered by the pres
ont autocratic method of food control he
agrees that there is temporary need LOT On
autocratic measure, but fears that' uhiesS
ba rendered operative on democratic INES
,he,s uiI, be opened up avenues fo- the
ins;diou, work of the willy agents OF au'oc-
racy.' r,;,
To democratize food control Mr. Luoir
urges the mobilization OF agricui'uie
through the organization Of farmers "
townships, counties and states, into pou'es
which would centralize in national cham-
h.r ~ agriculture, which would then ac'
as the right hand OF the so'ein'He"'
through the national food controller.
Although the bill before Congress EN-
bodvin9 this plan WAS not acted upon duFins
the sitting recently terminated, IT VIII pfoO-
ablv he urged again when Congress recon
Genes. II is my opinion that Tor the pu, 7,
noses Of our victory in this war, there "ou'u
he nothing much more dangerous thsh '"o
adoption OF this scheme.
There are other departments OF na'loha-
activity under autocratic rule, owing 10 ''e
needs Of war-transportation, shlpou'ld'ng'
steel production, coal. 1t is patent 10 the
subject which Mr.. Lubin discusses 70 ASK
Univ there has been relatively small ,ojec~
.ion 10 autocratic rule By the interests rep
resentative Of these other activities, Whlie
the producers Of food have, on the whole
evinced opposition and distrust?
II IA 10 be observed that it is corporate
business which has sprung TO the aid OF the
government and the country, while unor-
ganized industry has been in vital respects
a Stacker. And il is worth while TO con-
slider whether there is something IN cor
no-ste organization over any other kind OF
ory,nization which makes for such intelll-
cent LOYALTY in a period Of necessarily auto
cratic rule that not only is cooperation
made effective but that no anxiety IS felt
az regards corporate business-over what
Mr.. Lubin calls impairment Of morale"
The Autocracy Of a Corporation
There are certain elements of autocracy
which are harmonious with democracy, az
any time; indeed, are necessary to It, One
Of these is what may be termed the autoc-
racy OF the corporate organization of bust
ness. Stockholders elect directors, and these
in turn elect executives, but once elected
the latter must become dictators in manage
ment, otherwise the business would likely
fail
The great advantages of corporate or
ganization are recognized and utilized ir
government as well as in business. Central
ization of control is the chief advantage.
Over this stands the autocracy of the law in
the form of government supervision. Vet it
is this combination of centralized authority
and government supervision which makes for
stable enterprise and permanent business,
and these give the country an organized
power readily co0rdinated for effective ac-
ton in a time of national emergency. Mani
testify, it is because corporate business can
act quickly and with authority that the
United States is able to-day TO maintain its