Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-28

NAJ HEN an organization with the expert
w cnce ri the War Industries Board de-
li5oratcly proposes 20 Congress ana TO
the American people relaxation Of the
antitrust laws to allow combinations in
industry for the definite purpose of Winning
out wasteful and eXtravagant competition,
proper notice should be taken OF the fact
and due consideration given to the recon-.
mendaton.
rms board i'll its final report contends
with effect that combinations that do not
restrain trade, but which directly benefit
the consumer as we'll rs the producer. should
b" legali2cd. 1t is added of course. that
this should not be done in reckless fashion
leaving the combinations themselves to
operate without supcrvision On tho con-
uary the board insists that the government
should maintain an agency which will rig
idly supervise ana control the activities of
the commercial associations in question
Bat as the Same power born OF associa-
ton. tho board declares that makes for
potential benefits may also make Tor po-
icntial injWsticcs, it is recommended that
there be created some sort OF governmental
agency which shall supervise such associa-
Tons both for the purpose OF promoting
their bcnc!iccnt possibilities and checking
their opposite potcn,ialities
For some years there has been a grow
ing feeling that sound economies rcouire
the broadcast possible Interpretation of The
antitrust laws Their literal enforcement
has been undertaken by the government and
the courts with results that have not ALWAYS
NCeh satisfactory. Nobody, OF course who
h'" III" pubhc interest at heart seriously
advocates a return to the old free DAYS whom
trusts could be formed at will and were
allowed TO Cypress The public as far as they
"
again in this country
In recent years the American Deonlc have
learned a great deal about government con-
troll OF industry. They have found that it
can be made ehcctiv" and that the interests
OF the public can be protected while industry
Is given The privilege OF expanding 10 tho
luAcsi unit This is particularly true of
the railroads OF the country. They have
neen placed under the most rigid Federal
SUPERVISION and while less than a decade
ago II was regarded as dangerous to allow
two lines to combine, tho las, Congress went
to The extent of actually authorizing com
hihati"ns OF rail properties into a few great
systems.
The War Industries Board. composed OF
%ome OF ihe ablcs' men i'll The nation. be-
hcNeS this principle should be extended aud
boldly urges it, Monopolics which arc nm
restrained are full OF mcnacinE possibli,ios
ii IS agreed. but combinations that arc hold
IN leash by the firm hand OF The government
might prove 10 he OF enormous benefit IN
The country At large
soon or late this question will como ho
fore Congress in some concrete form II
may be that the now administration will
introduce II. II it should the people ne n
whole would take profound interest in tho
d'hat" which would follow. just as thew
az" interested in the proposals of the War
Industries Board, just made public.
me Hanover County truckers believe tina,
I'D onions there is strength and for the mas,
week or ten days they have been strengthen
my the Richmond market places power
fully
II is high time Richmonders were putting
'Htir garden tools to work The lessons
~ ihrii that were learned during the war
should NOT be so soon forgotten.
As 'ong as ~" fat fees hold out lawyers
can b" found TO pick Saws, imaginary or
c'her"ls", in amendments and things. cspe-
ca!iy The eiEh,ecnth
Aii"r az nfAce seeking like fishing, is
'aHr.Ha'. kEd OF business. especially to
-" ie,l"" who ism; stuck on sure-cnough
Work.
T!'o IS nothing tho matter with Rich
"''-a zee supply this season. except the
a'H'"''nons condition OF the prices.
The carly bud usually catches tn, fros,
ana II has time enough We; to do it this