Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1912 — THEIR OWN PROPERTY [ARTICLE]

THEIR OWN PROPERTY

WORKING PARTNERS HAD A RIGHT TO INFORMATION. Fall River Cotton Magnates Have No Right to Feeling of “Consternation” That Business “Secrets" Have Become Known. "Consternation” and “shocked beyond measure" are among the expressions descriptive of the feelings of some of the Fall River cotton mill magnates. When the tariff board sought information on which to base the schedules for a proposed revision of the cotton rates, these Massachusetts factory owners opened their books and furnished data. They did not suppose it possible the facts .concerning their business ever would be given to the public. They assert they had no suspicion that their “innermost business secrets would be tabulated and given to the world,” Hence, when tabulation and publicity confront them, “consternation” prevails and they are “shocked tfeyond measure.” These Fall River gentlemen should take counsel of the teachings of the first principles of philosophy. What, according to the familiar arguments of the protectionists, is the foundation of the tariff idea? Why, the benefit of the workingmen, of course. ‘ The outcome of that idea is that the employers and the employed are in a partnership, the principal argument for which is the bettering of the condition of the employed. What, then, could be more logical or more proper than that the partners who do the work should be informed concerning the details of the business? If, as result of the tariff board's investigations, the working partners have secured such information, they have obtained what was theirs by right. And there should be no occasion for “consternation” on the part of the managing members of the partnership.