The house of Industry : a new estate of the realm

86 THE HOUSE OF INDUSTRY

“ Of course,’’ said I, “‘ and why not? But I’m not so sure that the extreme way I’ve stated the case is in the least exaggerated. If half the electorate will go crazy about a trivial tariff question, what will it do when every department of industry is under electoral scrutiny? But suppose that the politicians and industrialists remain about half-and-half? How does that help you? It’s common knowledge that even now Parliament cannot get through its work creditably. What will happen when the administration of industry is added toit? I'll tell you. Parliament will die of two diseases—political anemia and industrial elephantiasis.’’

“You said you had several objections to industrial government by Commons Committees. What are they? ”’

““Two will suffice. First, I believe in the democratic control of industry. Therefore I object to the control of industry being in the hands of people elected for totally different purposes. Industry is so vast, so complicated, so interwoven, that its government without direct and specific assent is incredible. Nor would mere assent be enough: control, co-ordination, administration, management, must be entrusted to those chosen for that definite purpose by an industrial electorate specially concerned and informed. Secondly, I believe profoundly in the political function. I want to see it cleared of extraneous and somewhat corrupt influences and accordingly I want the House of Commons to be relieved of the economic