New-York tribune., 1921-03-24

To the Editor of, The Tribune. ~
Sir: The. Tribune already has re-
ferred to ! discussion on the sub
ject Of Return to Normal" that took
place at the National Republican Club
on March 12.
All Of the distinguished speakers
who took part in this discussion stated
that return to normal was .desir-.
able. Many valuable suggeations were
made; but what was said, taken as
whole, seemed, to the writer, to over
emphasize the part to be played by
governmental action in accomplishing
the desired result. is
Undoubtedly public action is needed,
but It, is at least doubtful whether q
change in the methods Of public reg
ulation Of private business will do any
good. In point of fact the regulation
of private business by public action
is an innovation. in our free society,
The greater part of the law ttat has;
controlled the ordinary affairs OF the.
citizens Of this country has been
natural law, either moral or economic.
and not political law. The untram-
meled operation Of natural law is his
torically normal, while the regulation
of private business by political power
Is historically abnormal. .
This being the case, it seems that
the way to return to normal lies
not In the adoption by public power Of
new rules for the regulation of private
business, instead of those now operat-
ing. but in minimizing the restrictions
and control that already have been im-
posed. It lies, moreover, as stated by
United States Senator Calder at the
discussion mentioned, in the reduction
Of tax burdens engendered by tho en-
larged exercise Of public power and
BY It's extension to subjects not here
totore regarded ~ lying within tho
legitimate scope Of governmental &C.
tion.
The founders Of the Republic recox-
nized the body Of the common Law a.
constituting, subject to the Constitu.
tion, the ordinary rule of conduct for
the people Of this sonntry. This law
was based on the usages and customs Of
private persons. as ascertained ana de-
clared by the courts and was not i'm
posed upon the people by the state.
BY the adoption of the common Law
the founders of the Republic recos-
nized the supremacy Of moral and
economic law as developed in civil
liberty. Indeed, ono Of the avowed OBJ
jects Of the Constitution was, as all
know. 10 secure the blessings Of lib
erty." TO this end the policy Of. tho
new state confined the administration
Of public power to things deemed es-
senttal to public safety and to ef-
ficient administration, and it interfered
as little as possible with the, pr4vate
rights Of citizens.
4 It may be that, in exceptional in
stances, public regulation of privata
business may be required at this dine Ir
~ order to remedy Aagrant sbusa Of
economic power; but the record OF
history reveals that. even under the
government chat preceded the satabs
lishment Of this Republic govern
nasnt autocratic ia administration but
popular in legislative methods and
policy-thc rule Of law based on the
usases OF the people had developed Vi
society that, In respect to liberty and
happiness in private life. compared
most favorably With any other civilisa-
tdon Of which history has any record.
4 is not, in this letter, possible 10
refer e the specific principles 81
economic law that until xecent years
have automatically controlled the