Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-12-01
Former Member of Supreme
Court Says That Some Per-
sons Whose Interest Lies in
Extending u, S, Control
BUSINESS WILL NOT
MIX WITH POLITICS
DovetaiIing of Business and
Government Is Apt to Injure
Both; People Trusted to
Prevent Merger
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New York, Nov. 30.--Charles E.
Hughes, speaking tonight before the
institute of arts and sciences at Co
iumbla University, asserted that Gov
efnmental enterprise tends constantly
to inefficlency." He characterized as
enemies of liberty" all those whose
interests lie simply in extending the
acuVltles or government so as to en-
prace all industry" Discussing con
ditlons following the war he declared
that readjustment should be brought
about as soon as practicable and that
war powers should not be used to con
trol peace conditions. such a control.
ne said would constitute a most SER
ious offense against American insti-
tutions
THE question OF government own
ership and operation is, after all. a
severely practical one" said Mr..
Hughes. 'Of course, there are those
whose interests lie simply in extend
ing the activities of government so as
to embrace all industries and who are
endeavoring to proceed along what
they conceive to be the line OF least
resistance in trying to keep in gov
ernment hands In time of peace what
has been taken temporarily by rea-
sons of the exigencles of war
People win Thwart Plans.
The instinct of the American peo-
pie. ! believe, can be trusted to
thwart the insldious plans of these
enemies Of liberty who, il given their
way. would not stop short of tvran-
ny which, whatever name II mielts
bear N0nid leave little room for pre-
ference as compared to Prussianism,
1T is regrettahle, but It is true,
that governmental enterprises tends
constantly to inefficiency. 1t
cannot fail to be observed, that even
in connection with the war, despite
the endeavor ana patriotic impulse OF
countless workers. inefficiency in im-
portant fields of activity has been no
torious.
"Along with this is the grave ques-
ton of putting the direct operation
of these great activities, unnecessari-
~ under political control. That Is
the most serious question. The dove
failing of government with business
is apt to injure both.'
"It Is undoubtedly true" he con-
tinued, "that whenever during the
war, extraordinary powers were fit
tingly exercised and governmental
control was assumed for war pur-
poses, the readjustment 10 conditions
OF peace must be affected gradually
and with the circumspection essen
tial to the protection of all the pub
lie and privte interests involved. But
the immediate purpose should be to
readJust as soon as may be, not to use
war powers to control peace condi-
tions, a proceeding essentially vicious
and constituting the most serious of
fense against our institutions.
Regulation Urged.
Mr.. Hughes added, however, that
undue decentralization would be as
dangerous TO national prosperity as
over Capitalization. Congress, he
said. should provide sensible plan
for railroad regulation permitting
sound credit and growth, stabilizing
securities and insuring adequate serv-
ice at reasonable rates. He also de-
clared cooperation in industry to be
Just as essential in peace time as dur
ing the exigencies of war, and that
big business was needed, If soundly
organized and properly supervised
One great lesson to be derived from
the war he said, was the need for ex-
pert knowledge in supervising indus
try and commerce.
He further declared that serious
labor conditions were looming on the
horizon and suggested that, in order
to take up the labor slack, an effort
should be made to start Immediately
all important public work through
out the country which had been held
up during the war.