Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/239

 ATTITUDE OF GOVERNMENT TOWARD TRUSTS 22$

then let us first abolish those special privileges and place all on an equal footing.

Then, in conclusion, what have we found? We have found, first, that the industrial combination is the resultant of economic forces, possessing advantages for society, also perhaps real dan- gers ; second, that legislation, without attempting to preserve these advantages and destroy the apparent evils, has aimed at a destruction of the combination ; third, that the attitude now to be assumed is that of an inquiring student, and attempt to locate the source of abuses, and see if a removal of these sources will not do much toward bringing about a solution. By assuming this impartial attitude, and by guarding carefully against mistak- ing cause for effect, it seems reasonable that much can be done to aid materially in building up and perpetuating the industrial and commercial supremacy of the United States.

WALTER FREDERICK MEIER. THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.