The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-05-29
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Business Wearies of Inter-
ference by the Various
Federal Commissions.
BY EDWARD w. PIckARD

by EOWAhD w. PtNNAHO
BUSINESS is growing very tired Of
ID what it considers unnecessary in
reference by governmental agencies,
and in the annual convention Of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United.
States, in Washington. it gave voice
to that feeling.
Government inquisition OF the pri-
vate citizen and his business. from the
publishing of his income tax to innu-
merable investigations by specially
constituted commissions is becoming
unpopular" declared the president of
the organization, Richard F. Grant, of
Cleveland.
In the opinion of Robert w. Bing-
ham of Louisville, leader in the coop
erative marketing movement, the leg
islation proposed by "cheap dema-
gogue politicians is dangerous to the.
country; and he said any further leg
islation for the relief of agriculturists
would be superfiuous.
A. G. Dodson of Bethlehem, Pa,
coal operator, said that in nine years
supervision of coal production he
could recall no step which has been
ultimately of value to the consumer.
employee or, operator" He expressed
the fear that unless natural conditions
bring about some cure for the present
serious plight of the coal industry.
artificial stimulants' will be applied
by legislative action, and then no one
will escape and one and all we will
be thrown to the lions"
That the administration sympa-
thizes with the views of the business
men to considerable extent was in
dicated by the address of William r.
Humphrey, Republican member of
the federal trade commission. when
he explained the recent changes in its
rules made with the approval of Pres
ident Coolidge. He said these changes
were designed to make the activities
Of the commission less obnoxious to
business. and that the opposition to
them came only from those who
sought to use the commission for po-
litical purposes. He declared the
body would no longer be used as a
publicity bureau for socialistic propa-
ganda.
In line with this attitude Of the gov
eminent was the decision last week of
the special federal court of equity in
the case of the International Harves-
ter company. This court. sitting in
St. Paul. Mimi, decided that 1918
decision divesting the company of
three of its manufacturing lines has
proved effective in removing any trace
of monopoly Therefore, the court de-
MED the petition for supplemental pro-
visions to the original decree. The
petition contended the international
Harvester company is still combina-
tion in restraint of trade in violation
of the Sherman antitrust act. But
the special court held that the evil
dence not only failed to support the
charge that since the reorganization
decree the company has been "unduly
or unreasonably monopolizing inter-
state commerce. but conclusively
proves it has not done and is not do
ing So"
Senators Borah of Idaho and Norris
of Nebraska gave out statements IA
voring the abolition of the federal
trade commission on the ground that
it has come under the influence of fac
tional politics and outside political
pressure and no longer serves the pur-
pose for which it was created.
Senator Feer of Ohio. addressing
The International Association Of Gar
ment Manufacturers in Chicago. said
what the country needed was fewer
new laws and a closer study of eco
Monies and economic laws. ave are
now nearly government by commits
sions." said Mr.. Fess, 'and this
bureaucratic movement of the last %
years is the product of the demand for
increased legislation"
T NATHAN NJ. DAVIS. former gov
j ernOr of Kansas. Is not guilty of
onspiracy TO solicit bribes in payment
for pardons. according to the verdict
Of the jury that heard the case against
him in Topeka. The judges charge