The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-02-09

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aptly described as profitless
for remedies.
Recent tendencies have strength.
ened the status OF dominant con-
Germs and rendered the position
of the less efficient, less secure.
In the scramble for a way
out from the effects and
heightened competition, 1t was
perhaps inevitable that some
one should suggest that the
Government should act Moses
to lead business out OF the will
derness OF slumping profits.
Wants y. s. Vigil
julius Kahn, president Of the
Truscon Steel Company, runs In
tn. face OF business dogma by
pleading for more Government
regulations. Ever since the Gov
eminent relaxed its wartime con-
troll OF American business after
the armistice, organized business
has articulated its demand in the
slogan OF the Chamber of Com
merce of the United States, which
advocates more business in Cow
eminent and less Government in
business"
For nearly q decade the trend
has been in the direction OF
lessening Government Influence in
business. The trend has been
toward ''laissez faire. Z" or unlim-
tied freedom. Mr.. kahn thinks
that this has been overd0ne., lie
believes that the Government
ought to apply to general industry
some of the paternalistic feeling
OF responsibility for its success
which animates its present con-
troll Of the railroads under the
transportation act of 1890. The
steel man regrets that the Gov.
eminent in its relations with In
dustry has assumed the role of
policeman through the restrictive
antitrust laws, which he believes
are antiduated, and has shown too
little constructive interest in bust.
ness welfare.
Mr.. Kahn argues that the anti
trust laws prevent sellers from
comparing notes In respect to
prices, and that this inhibitions
which does not restrain purcEas-
ing agents, gives buyers an undue
advantage which has been harm
full to business profits. Mr.. Kahn,
not unlike the distressed farmers
who want the Government to get
behind them and boost prices, sLg-
gests that reasonable price fix
! ing might be more desirable
than unrestricted price compe-
ton. e which Is Tuinous.
Free competition in the long
run tends to correct economic
situations. If the Government
were allwise. it might foresee
changing tendencies and miti-
gate pain through arbitrary price
adjustments. Thus TAR IA the
past no government haa been
sufficiently gifted to avoid price
fixing blunders, which were in
the long run perhaps more pain
fui than the free working OF
the forces of supply and demand.
If the farmer was denied price.
fixing, surely the business man
has no right to ask for it, and,
in my opinion, a majority Of the
responsible industrial leaders OF
the country are vigorously op.
etion, The newer efficiency and
the recent great plant expan-
sion have made the country some
what overequipped indHstrially,
in some lines, and farseeing
business leaders are inclined
to feel that the solution will be
in slim latfng consumption
through high wages, rather than
in arbitrary curtailment.
Need Regulation
I'VE need Government regula.
ton in industry" Mr.. Kahn says,
in the Nations Business, which
dissents from his viewpoint. IT
do not mean by this that we
need Government operation of
business. But we do need Gov
lish sound business principles
an industrial or trade commits
sion consisting of a free, think
ing, technical, literally minded
body that seeks to help through
analysed. deliberate judament
the Government should he
the greatest benefactor to BUSH
ness. 1t should stimulate peace.
not discord.
The manufactures has stlf-
ficiently big problem on his
hands to keep up with competi-
ton by the universal desire for
progress. With the competition
OF foreign: enterprises where labor
receives 10 to rs per cent OF
wages. where cartels and conbi-
nations are encouraged we need
all the assistance that can pos.
Sibly' be given without the legal
restraint which prevents US from
maintaining q reasonable selling
price and an ample working mar.
gin.
"The real trouble with business
isn't lack Of wealth, overproduc.
ton and lack of demand.
I'VE need more of construc--
tive, scientifically-traine body of
men such as the Federal Trade
Commission or Department of
Commerce.
The foregoing is the diverse
side of the cry against profiteer.
ing during the war and post
armistice period of high prices