SOCIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE TRUST 7 



Much has been said about the destruction of individual liberty by 

 the action of the trust. It is true that the gigantic production which 

 results from the combination of many industries into one does destroy 

 the opportunity for the small dealer to start an independent business. 

 But this may happen without injuring industrial liberty. Industrial 

 liberty does not mean freedom to carry on a business without inter- 

 ference. Like political liberty, it is a positive thing which results from 

 the operation of law. The law is the expression of the desires of society. 

 If the small dealer cannot render as great a service to society as those 

 who conduct industry on a large scale, he has no right to complain if 

 society does not guarantee him an abundance of opportunity to do 

 business in a small way. Any society would be unwise to use its strength 

 to maintain conditions favorable to the smaller industrial units when 

 their combination would result in a saving of human energy in the 

 production of those commodities which supply the communities' material 

 needs. 



The greatest good of the greatest number has always been the motto 

 of modern progress. This is as true industrially as in any other respect. 

 Industry should be so carried on that the greatest number of men con- 

 ducting it may have a controlling voice in its management. This is 

 the only way in which democracy in industry can be secured. A little 

 reflection will convince anyone that in cases where the proprietor is 

 managing his own business his obstinacy often stands in the way of 

 progress. Some men are by nature opposed to many things the majority 

 want. When such men are doing .business in their own way, they are 

 often able to block needed reforms. In his address before the American 

 Economic Association in 1901, Professor Ely points out such a case 

 among the barbers in the city of Madison. At that time there were 

 twenty barber shops in the city. Of these nineteen wanted to close 

 on Sundays. One was opposed to Sunday closing. The result was 

 that they all kept open. Here was a case where one obstinate person 

 was able to check a needed reform. One man poor in public spirit 

 was able to rule nineteen better men. This is not an uncommon thing 

 in the business world. 



There are many factories in the hands of obstinate and unscrupulous 



