The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-04-29

CONE. LoRENzEN wOoD1GAN
| New York. Chicago. City. Atlanta
runsnAr MORNING. Arnn =. lsis
PROTECTION OF COMPETITION.
There IL unfortunately disposition on the
part of some people to regard with degree Of
suspicion and distrust business or an industry
which grows rapidly and il exceptionally pros
porous, and an unwarranted feeling that its
achievements are brought about by unfair meth
eds, says Edward N. Hurley, chairman Of the
United States Shipping board. Take for ex-
ample, business that was started with very
limited capital, hut through the individual ini-
tiative and skill of the min interested, has
grown 50 that the capital invested reaches mil
lions Of dollars and is paying substantial and
legitimate dividends. The business has never
violated ethics or law and is not party to any
combination or trust of any kind IT recognizes
the rights of labor from every modern stand
point. It's chief effort has bean to attend to it's
own affairs. to produce it, ware rat the mimi
mum of expense, and its selling force has as it's
main endeavor the marketing Of it, products ct
the lowest possible price consistent with the cost
Of production. It's policy has been to increase
the volume Of production to the maximum and
to reduce overhead expenses to the minimum.
Such concern should be considered model
American enterprise. The fact that 1t 10 pros
pering by reason of its enterprise and its eff
cient methods is wholesome encouragement to
others. II such . business makes It's profit by
reducing it's costs, and thereby gives the public
the benefit of its efficiency, it should receive
commendation rather than censure.
It would be easy to name = score of new de-
vel0pmonts in American business which have
greatly increased prosperity without taking
away the slightest profit from any other Ievel-
AK>~A - ILL. -.
no automobiles. Large profits have been made
out Of this industry without the slightest dstri-
ment to any other industry. That was . typical
>case Of creating new market. The same thing
was done by the evolution of the electrical indus
try. and virtually by every new invention.
In fact the very establishment of ! new in
dustry, or new market, creates business for
other industries only remotely related. The au-
tonnobile helped the oil industry. and so it goes
on in IN endless chain.
It Is the spirit Of mutual helpfulness which
has made the United States the greatest pro-
ducing nation in the world. So long a. we have
fair play among business men. the public inter-
est unquestionably will be protected by the en-
ersstic competition among concerns, each try
ing to render better service than the other.
The supreme court has held that mere size is
no crime but that no industry should be per-
mitted to accumulate such power - could be
used to monopolize the market. It is in the
wrongful use of power rather than in the power
itself, that the evil lies. The business men Of
the country have been educated to understand
where the ponit of monopoly is reached They
realise that it is better for industry. ~ well ~
for the country a. whole. to have no monop-
olies. But an industry of wholesome size, which
still has healthy competition should be regarded
with national pride.