Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-13

The billion-dollar merger OF Amerl-
ran bakeries formed by William b.
Ward with a proposal to give surplus
profit to philanthropy, especially for
children. makes no hit with the coun-
try's editors. The welfare side OF the
organization has aroused emphauc
criticism that such work for the gen
eral public has no place as a part OF
the business worlds transactions.
THE consumers Of bread can at
tend to their own philanthrophy with
out Mr.. Wards assistance" in the
on,n,on of the Wall Street Journal.
"Pauperization Is not service. Phiian
thropy and business do not mix. al
though he would be a poor thing. In
deed. who did not recognize what tne
generosity Of great business men mas
done for their fellow citizens Inc
Indiana polls News also raises the Cd
lection that while Mr.. Ward himseir
has a reputation for being talr. ye.,
unless "he retains all the common
stock and lives forever. difficulties
NAV arise; there can be no guaranty
that benevolent business despots al
WAYS will have control. Inc New
YORK world adds that the linking OF
ph,lanthropic work with the enter
nrise comes in quite naturally for spe-
ciaI denunctation as an attempt "
camoufiage a monopoly in the necessl-
ties Of life by giving 1t a veneer Oh
benevolence."
"There IL not any reason to ques-
ton the honest intent" says the LAY
ton Daily News. but this paper pc
lieyes 1t would be much oetter 70
limit profits by providing for lesseneo
costs Of food necessities as pronts &C
M Ward entertains smacks too much
Of the story Of q certain rich man VINO
would feed tho poor with tine
crumbs which fell frcsa bis groanl@s
table" ,,o
ands that a disposition is manifested
ito inquire whether this announces
willingness to share profits which are
as yet purely speculative wlil que,
the apprehension OF many tnousn'iu
persons who have claimed 10 see ~
the ability Of single indlViouaI IT,. VI
set of individuals to control so VITA
| an Industry as that which supplies the
bulk of the bread to rich and poor
alike. a menace to the right OF the
consumer to buy In competitive
market"
Although It Is conceded that thu
bread merger may not be Illegal. the
Milwaukee journal remarks that II
1t is, a proposal to help needy chilorer
does not make II less 20. The ques
ton Of public policy" continues tnt
Journal. cannot be affected. W.
could not justify a beef merger be
cause It proposed to relieve the aged
or a clothing combine to assist the
feeble minded, even though these com
binations should volunteer to assume
| a definite responsibility, and moi
merely suggest that they might give
| some share of profits to charity.
The Rockford Star adds that "assum
| ing that the money. would be wisely
spent, 1t is abhorreit to have public
philanthropies financed by an indus
trial combine, particularly one wnicf
may Ak the price Of bread" ana I'M
Spokane man.Review declares
| That Is not the proper way to carry
on the philanthropies Of this country
l-sugarcoating a proposed monopoly.
&* X X
The idea appeals to the New York
Times as "a striking and Significant
| recognition Of the truth announced ~
centuries ago that man shall not live
| by bread alone: there Is here a very
explicit provision for making every
ounce Of bread contribute to a de
velopment In human beings Of what
| bread alone cannot sustain" The
| Times suggests further that IF this
beneficence lis planned out Of pure
and high purpose, 1t should be as 6
grace over every loaf. a prayer for de
9yegaaco from svU ajaug with every