Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-29
PRES. BUTLER, C0LUM-
IBlA, ATTACKS FED.
TRADE COMMISSION

Philadelphia. Jan cs.-An attack
on the Federal Trade Commission
was made before the Philadelphia
Chamber Of Commerce tonigh; by
Nicholas Murray Butler. president o.
Columbia University and IN aspirant
for the Republican nomination for
President Discussing the necessity
of clearing away uncertainties III
public policy that hamper business,
he said:
We have at the present time
Federal Trade Commission appoint
ed pursuan, TO the provisions OF
statute which might easily be so ac-
minis1ered as to do great good The
Federal Trade Commission has. how
ever. utterly miSconstFued its proper
functions and has preferred TO per-
secute business rather than TO pro-
tect and develop il. The cheaply won
applause which IS sure 10 follow the
violent denunciation OF somebody or
something for an alleged wrong has
been preferred 10 the much more SOL
id and lasting approval of an inteIli-
gent people that would follow upon
constructive acts which should indi-
cate how the business Of the country
nigh, be better and more wisely de-
veloped.
1t is little short of pathetic. after
some OF the best brains in the nation
have organized and set on fsot
great industrial undertaking which
engages the cooperation of thou
sands Of men and women reduces
the cost Of production OF some sta
pie article. and begins to extend Am
eriean trade into new lands, to find
them summary brought 10 book as
criminals by the attorney general OF
the United State. or hy The United
States district attorney IN some ju-
dicial district
The course OF wisdom and Of
progress would be for t1c commits
sion TO hear the plans Of those who
propose TO develop an undertaking Of
this sort; to point out in advance
what would be considered unfair bus
mess practices and what would not:
10 indicate the line whera monopoly
would be held 10 begin, and which
therefore must not be crossed: and
then 10 send the new undertaking on
.
cooperation Of the Federal Trade
! Commission. with which. thereafter.
the undertaking should stand in the
closest possible relations
Such a policy by the commission.
D.. Butler said, would simply repeat
IN the field Of industry ne precise
policy which the government has fol-
lowed with extra ordinary success in
the case Of National Baths
Besides doubt as 10 wa, might lie
done without prosecution under the
Sherman or Clayton act. he added.
business was confronted with uncer-
, tainty as to labor. To remove This
he suggested the establishment at
dus,rial relations 70 represent the
public alone. which should make find
ings and recomm eadations in labor
disputes The doors Of this commits
sion. he said. should be open 20 wage
workers. employers or TO any body
of Individual citizens or 10 the at
torney general of the United States.
Arguing that public opiLion would
be sufficient TO enforce the commits
sion's recommendations. he said, the
United States supreme court could
not enforce its DEGREES against a
state. but nevertheless such decisions
had been obeyed. and the: the rules
Of international law except in time
OF war had wide application
He expressed warning note
against the building up Of huge po-
iitical machines in order to main
. tain and increase the points Of con-
tact between government and bus
mess"
The unchecked deveic pmenr Of
such a tendency" he said. would il
time completely alter the American
form Of government and revolution
ize American business. II is perfect
~ easy by following such a course
as outlined to transfer a democracy
into an autocracy of Office holders
and inspectors. Nominally this au-
tocracy would represent and carry
out the wish OF the people. but &C
tually il would be q tyranny Of an
Office holding class