Evening star., 1936-05-12

Government or future business prog
ress to permit the use of a national
slogan, "Let Uncle Sam Do It."
The complex nature of these eco
nomic and social problems has de-
veloped as q result Of the vast scope
and size characterizing our national
endeavors. The greater the extent Of
corporate size and numbers the greater
are the complexities and inter-rea-
tionships. From the viewpoint Of
natural resources and geographical
advantages the United States is, Of
course, suited to large-scale economic
enterprise. The incentive to build
on a large-scale basis has been one
of the greatest assets in the develop
ment of our Nation. 1t is to be ex-
pected that evils will arise as our
economic and social systems become
more complex and interrelated which
will exert some deterrent influences
upon our national welfare. Due to the
concurrent growth of these evils with
large business development, there has
been interpreted into our economic
thinking an instructive fear of big
ness.
Curbs on Exploitation.
History shows that there is ten
dency toward the exploitation of nat
ural and human resources as size and
power increase. The Interstate Com
merce Commission and the Federal
Trade Commission are examples or at
tempts Of the Government to protect
the public against unethical or unjust
advantages that might arise through
bigness alone, and also to protect large
business organizations against those
factors which in themselves contribute
to the destruction Of business enter
prise.
During the depression period and
In the past three years, when we have
been trying to build toward a sound
and stable recovery, many lessons
have been learned both by the Gov
ernment and industry itself with re-
lation to the problems which arise
from bigness, and now necessary and
proper readjustments can be made
without destroying the profit sys-
tenn, which Is essential in our economic
organization. I firmly believe that
this must be a real concern of busi-
ness through its own initiative and
that it should incorporate in its ac-
tivities those preventive and cor
rective measures, which. unless curbed.
tend to undermine and destroy the
confidence of the people. 1t is only
when business itself cannot supply
this treatment that the National Gov
eminent should be called upon to pro-
vide the methods whereby these de-
terrent factors can be eliminated from
our business system.
Another Stake in Campaign.
One of our major considerations,
therefore, must be the effect of the
operations of large corporate struc-
lures upon society. 1t is when pri-
vate utilization of natural resources
and public privileges are made with
out the proper accrual of correspond
ing benefits to the public that the
element of bigness becomes a selfish
exploitation of human wants and
needs. Thus, another stake which
business has in this campaign is to
assist both State and National Gov
ernments in properly interpreting to
the public the true facts with respect
to size in our business enterprises.
Normally, the public is quicker to
recognize disadvantages than advant-
ages. It Is natural, also. that man
agement should stress the advantages.
But. if by performance business con-
stantly keeps the public service as
pect in mind. the possibility of public
misunderstanding will be greatly les
Sened.
Business has stated that If 1t were
certain of what the future held forth
in respect to the Governments atti-
tude and action, it would move ahead
with still more rapid progress. 1t
| should be evident to all of us that the
Government has no desire to compete
with private industry. There has been
great deal Of generalized talk about
Government competition" When 1t
does eGist as a serious deterrent II
should be criticized openly and frank
| ly, but with bill of particulars. But