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Show H CO-OPERATION VS. COMPETITION WE often hear the expression, "Competition is tho life of H trade," and thero is no denying the H fact that under our compctativo sys- H tern of government, competition docs H in many instances havo a beneficial H effect on trade nnd industry; but it is H equally true that in just as many in- H stances competition proves the death H of trade and progress. In a majority H of cases, tho fields of business and H profession aro greatly over-crowded; H that thero aro too many instances H whero there arc two or three individ- H uals or firms competing for a volume H of business that is only sufficient for H one, with the result that none of them H can progress and advance in propor- H tion to the energy and effort expend- H In many states thero arc railroad H and utilities commissions created. H whose business it is, among other H things, to investigate the necessity for H new corporations of a compctative H nature, and decide whether or not H there is r.oom for them. If it is found H that tho existing service in tho line B that they propose to enter is all suffi- H cient, a franchiso is denied tho pro- H posed new corporation. It has been H found that one healthy, prosperous ss, railroad or other concern is of more H benefit to any state or community than H two or three struggling, half-support- H cd ventures. K To our mind, this is a most wise B provision, and ought to be extended H into our county and municipal affairs. H There should bo a public, and private, B utflitlos commission in every town, MVMV composed of both business and non- Hj business men, who should pass upon 1 the application of individuals or cor- h porationB to engage in business in VMVJj such town, and if it is found that KVMV there is room and need for bucIi a flH business, boo that it rocoivos every on- Hl couragoinwit. If, fn tho other bawd, H t In ouud that the rw(curtn0niv re K already fully met in Chat lino, a fran- VMVa' chise should be denitd it. !9MV Wo beliove that thero io room for H everybody, and opportunities enough AVMV to go around, if they aro only sought jH out and improved, without over-riding B ono another. In other words, wo in- H clinu towards friendly co-operation, H rather than Inssnp and intense cotn- B petition. |