The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-12-09
EXPLORING AMERICAN
BUSINESS
j. E. Jones

]. e. Jones
Washington, D. c., Dec. 5-The
monopoly inquiry flips back into
the headlines. Senator O'Ma-
honey's public utterances are reas-
surfing, but the plans of the joint
Adminsitration-Con Com
mittee are still very vague. Ameri-
can business, large and small, finds
reasons for apprehension. Mr.. O'Ma-
honey says that the Committee will
explore the method by which mod
ern business is conducted and its
effects upon the nation. Other men,
bers of the Committee are very crit
ical and charge that monopoly is
rampant, and must be crushed.
AS a sort of curtain-raiser the
Depa rtment of Justice indicts many
respectable citizens who are charg
ed with violations of existing laws
that control commerce.
Senators O'Mahoney and Borah
are sponsoring bill to compel all
corporations engaged in interstate
business to secure Federal licenses.
This is another hard-boiled Federal
control bill along the same lines as
other famous legislation that has
been hamstringing national indus
tries in the past few years.
After all, every offense that might
be committed seems to be covered
by Federal and State laws, in exist
ing civil and criminal statutes. APP
parently enough isn't enough.
Large business Interests will protest
before the Committee against the
endless stream of restrictions i'm
posed upon industries that are al
ways trying to obey the laws, and
deal Justly with their fellow-men.
The Mexico Land Settlement
Mexico confesses its inability to
pay promptly the 10 million dollars
it owes Americans who have suffer-
ed from seizures of their farms, and
during the time of delay one repre-
sentative of the United States and
one from Mexico will pass upon all
claims for losses sustained by the
land-holders through the confisca-
ton of their properties. The initial
payment of the first million is to be
due next spring and annually there
after for ten years until the total
10 millions, or SO much thereof as
may be agreed to by the commits
sioners, is paid.
In view of the records showing
that valid claims of American citi-
zens against the Mexican Govern
ment were scaled down by the
Claims Commissions from 200 mil
lion dollars to less than million
dollars, it seems that the Mexican
Government is slipping over another
funny-money transaction on Too
Good Neighbor Uncle Sam.
The Swing For Pensions
An old-age pension system looks
like a political certainty. Under the
present method the Federal contri-
button for this is SIS month,
which the state must match. This
figure is on the upward grade, and
the Towsendite varieties of ideas
indicate the probability of much
higher "ante" to coax higher wages
in saving the old folks.
Indications are that Democrats
and Republicans will contest for
the credit of putting such legisla-
ton across.
The Poor Are Always With Us
A good deal of attention is being
given of late to the views of Harry
Hopkins, who has been repeating
the statement for two years that
government relief should be accept
ed as permanent public response
bility. The Good Book is called
upon, as a reminder that "The poor
always We have with YOU.
The only difference anyone has
with Mr.. Hopkins opinion on this
matter is the question of admins
tration by the Federal Government,
or by local officials. In the past the
poor have been a responsibility of
neighbors, friends and village
boards, or city administrations.
Local Units used to assume the re-
sponsibility of caring for the poor
and most people would like to think
that the time will come when they
will do 1t again, instead of side-sad-
ding on the responsibilities onto
the government which has plenty
of things to do outside of relieving
local people and authorities Of their
obligations towards their unfortun-
ate neighbors.
Kate Smiths Greed As An American