against the laws in his own business is produced,
he insists that he never knew it. But he also turns on the light: "I do
not ask my heads of departments _how_ they succeed; it is enough for me
that they do succeed." This explains, but does not excuse, the guilt.

I make no use here of theory. I am thinking of definite large business
interests in which the evil will remain as common as it is inevitable so
long as the business is unregulated and its shady practices concealed
from public authorities and public opinion. In some of our huge concerns
it is the traditional procedure to bring the various heads of
departments together at regular intervals and pit them against each
other as if running a race for life. What is the showing that each can
make against the other? Has this one cut down the cost of his product;
has he reduced this or that item of expenditure; has he got the most out
of the workmen under his charge; has he been able to dodge practical
difficulties--legal, sanitary, or any other--that stood in his way?

In this relentless contest before their superiors, the foreman or agent
learns that the one key to favor and advancement is that no other shall
make a better showing. If he can safely get this superior result out of
his labor group, that is one way; if he can reach his end by introducing
children under age, or by any other questionable device, the temptation
is there in the subtlest form it can assume for the average man. When,
recently, a swarm of sharp practices came out in another of the great
concerns whose products reach half the homes of the nation, the man at
the top doubtless told the truth when he replied: "In my position, it is
not my business to know those details. I have no time except for the
results sent in." Thus the president or director stands apart from and
above this underworld of tolerated illegalities.

Here, then, are three reasons for lack of obedience to the law,--the
long border struggle, the excessive concentration upon
wealth-exploitation, and the ways through which successful subordinates
are rewarded in severely competitive industries.

But another, weightier reason must now be added,--namely, our private
monopolies with their influence and reactions on our whole community
life. In the earlier and looser stages of development, when vast
resources still remain unappropriated, private monopoly may aid a city
or a nation. At first no public protection of fish and game is
neces