on the part of the government, some legislative measures may be passed within a year or two. It should be noted that the result of this study -and one may say that similar opinions seem to be prevalent also elsewhere in Europe-is that the combinations are not to be set aside, but are to be recognized as normal institutions in modern industry, and are to be restricted only by certain measures on the part of the government, which will prevent abuse of the power which they undoubtedly possess. APPENDIX A FORMULATION OF SUGGESTED METHODS FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE TRUST PROBLEM BY WILLIAM WIRT HOWE, Permanent Chairman of the Chicago Conference on Trusts WHEN I came to this meeting as a delegate from the New Orleans Board of Trade, I prepared, at the request of the Civic Federation, a paper on some of the questions here in debate; but when by your kindness I was called to preside over your deliberations, it was deemed more becoming that your chairman should not undertake to express any views on these questions, or undertake, even if I could, to influence any opinion. And so, with a little of that paternal anguish which may have visited the soul of Abraham when he thought himself in conscience bound to sacrifice his son, I suppressed the little paper. The suppression was fortunate, because if the paper were to be written this evening it would be a better one, for the reason that its author has learned a good deal in the last four days. 257 In what are called courts of conciliation, in some jurisdictions, the constant aim of the presiding magistrate is to note those admissions and concessions of the contending parties themselves which may be found even in apparently hopeless disputes, and to make those admissions and concessions a basis for a judgment substantially just. Now, following this sensible idea, where do we stand after four days of discussion, always interesting, often profoundly scientific, and sometimes passing into the brilliant sphere of oratory? It seems to me-simply as an individual, of course that almost every paper or address we have heard has made some admissions or concessions which may form a basis for some conclusions, and if you will allow me I will formulate some of them only, as follows: 1. Combinations and conspiracies in the form of trusts or otherwise in restraint of trade or manufacture, which by the consensus of judicial opinion are unlawful, should so be declared by legislation, with suitable sanctions, and, if possible, by a statute uniform in all jurisdictions, and also uniform as to all persons, and such a statute should be thoroughly enforced, so that those who respect it shall not be at a disadvantage as compared with those who disregard it. 2. That the organization of trading and industrial corporations, whether under general or special laws, be permitted only under a system |