The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-18
NEED OF REVISION.

From the Wall Street Journal comes appeal
for revision of the interstate commerce law
and repeal of the Sherman act. The Journals
points are well taken, but they not new. For
several years. and particularly since the be-
ginning of the in Europe, the conviction
| has been growing in thoughtful minds that re-
strictions once believed to be in the public In
terest have outlived their usefulness. But it is
true, as the Journal says, that it has scarcely
been realized how events have nullitied the
Sherman act, and abrogated parts of the inter
state commerce law. The latter prohibited
pooling by the railroads, with the result that
! there has been costly duplication of service.
Now, from the recent marked increase in rail
road efficiency, and in unifcaton which
amounts in principle to the prohibited pooling,
we can see how eminently necessary it is that
the interstate commerce law should be revised
in the light of modern experienced
Even clearer is the case for the repeal of the
Sherman act. Experience of industry the world
over has shown the Importance of the combina-
! ton of capital in large enterprises Years ago,
when the department of justice at Washington
inaugurated mistaken policy in dealing with
the so-caled trusts far-sghted men pointed
out, what everyone can see today, that II we
were to have fair field in world markets, we
must be as adequately equipped as our foreign
competitors The war, with its promise of
sharper trade rivalry to follow the return of
Ipeace has emphasized, but it did not create a
need that has been recognized ever since Great
Britain and Germany began to encourage com
! binations for the promotion of overseas COM
merce.
| Foreign nations are preparing to employ all
their resources in trade and industry when the
war ends We must make the same prepare
ILL -,
petition It is time to repeal bad laws and to
bring others up to date by making them con-
form to the requirements of legitimate business
We all approve the enthusiasm of Mr.. Daniels
Ior Mr.. Creel or whoever is doing these things
We appreciate the hearty good will for the
cause which makes them eager to announce a
big naval victory. as they did last week. But
two such exaltations Of spirit only to be fol-
lowed bv sudden drops are two too many. It is
not prudent 10 take our hearts away up into
the highest attitudes and then spill them out
of the balloon without a parachute. Even
stout American hearts may suffer from such
stunts, often repeated
When Missouri gets through freeing its
mind To Stone and Reed the democrats of
Georgia might well follow their lead with
Senators Hardwick and Hoke Smith. They
have rnisrepresented Georgia, but it rests with
the psgple OF Georgia 10 say so, in order that
their states record for patriotism may be kept
free from stain.
w one can blame Chancellor Michaelis for
4-virg 10 prove that Germany did not start the
-ar Il vas disreputable performance, no
matter wno i guilty, and the attempt of Ger
-oar, statesmen to prove their innocence, if not
oouyincing at least shows that they have some
sense Of decency and some regard for the opin-
ION Of mankind.
Il would be easier TO understand if some Of
Ruggia'g internal troubles could be attributed
20 vofka-
Conditions are guch in nearly all parts of the
country that any capable man who really wants
work can hate il