The Principles of Economics, with Applications to Practical ProblemsFetter, Frank A. (Frank Albert)
General
The Principles of Economics, with Applications to Practical Problems
Fetter, Frank A. (Frank Albert)
Economics
4. _The control of the trusts must be sought in the direction of
maintaining potential competition through fair and free conditions of
industry._ Many of the remedies suggested are reactionary and would give
up the benefits of large production. Measures must be sought in harmony
with the economic principles of price. Since many of the trusts have
grown wealthy by special shipping privileges from the great quasi-public
corporations, the railroads, and by special favors from public or
corporation officers, who have been false to their duties, the solution
must be a political and moral one; it must be sought in the development
of honest citizenship and of a more efficient social regulation of
quasi-public industries. The conditions of competition may be made
fairer by requiring publicity of accounts, and by making it impossible
for great corporations to strangle their local competitors by special
and temporary prices. The state here has the same duty to perform that
it has to protect the weak man from personal violence at the hands of
the strong. This will not prevent competition, but it will determine the
ways in which the rivalries of men can be manifested. Any measures for
controlling the great combinations must start from a right understanding
of the law of value, neither underestimating nor overestimating their
economic power. Public sentiment toward the trust question has changed
somewhat in recent years, because the nature of trusts and the extent of
their power are better understood. There is now less fear of them, and
more confidence that they can be tamed and made to serve the welfare of
society.
CHAPTER 36
GAMBLING, SPECULATION, AND PROMOTERS' PROFITS
§ I. GAMBLING VS. INSURANCE
[Sidenote: Unavoidable chances]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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