The morning call., 1891-07-15
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The Illinois antitrust law, which is credited
with having broken up the watch trust. owing TO
the withdrawal of a State corporation interested
in the combination, declares that any persons or
corporations entering into an agreement or con-
federation to fix. control regulate the price OF
any article of merchandise shall be deemed guilty
OF conspiracy, and upon conviction nned $500
for the first offeuse, and as high 81 900 for
repetition. Moreover. it is provided that any
purchaser from any of the firms or corporations
tranSgressing this law shall not be liable for
payment of sums charged for articles puicha sed,
but may plead the act In defense of any sui that
may follow evasion OF payment. The prospects
are that advantage VIII now be taken of The law
10 break up the odious and tvranuical contract
system that has long prevailed between mer-
chants and manufacturers In Illinois.
Congressional Librarian SpofFord's inter.
national copyright ruling regarding musical
compositions VIII provoke considerable discus
sion. He holds that musical compositions,
wherever or however printed, are entitled TO
copyright entry, and need not be printed or man
ufaeiured IN The United States. In other words,
The Librarian finds that musical composition Is
not book, Autograph, photograph or a
chr0mo aud that the requirements OF The new
law as TO manufacture In tie United States Is
confined TO four classes of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
Autographs, photographs and chromos.
Jhe advantages conferred on American manu-
features by reciprocity are SO pronounced that
the efforts of Great Britain render abOrtive at
IemptS on the part of the United States TO enter
into reciprocal commercial relations with other
countries excite little surprise General Foster,
whose negotiations with Spain proved so sue.
ceSsful, declares that even now England is en-
deayoring TO overthrow the agreement between
Brazil and this country. Spain, he however adds,
was not Influenced by the representations made
to her.
Il is said that over 1000 men are busy In the
Ship-yard where the commerce destroyer the
Pirate, The fast armored cruiser New York and
the batllc-ships Indiana aud Massachusetts are
being constructed. Judging from this fact, the
entire force at WORK on the construction and
equipment of the new navy is QUE OF imposing
dimensions. Ii is the praiseworthy intention OF
the Administration TO hasten the construction Of
what VIII be the finest vessels of the new navy.
Though the Postoffice Commission has made a
report to the Postmaster General in favor of the
use OF an ingenionsy cOntriyed house letter. box,
Congressional action will be necessary 10 bring
about the desired reforms. IL Is shown by the
commissions report that the amount OF time use
lessiy consumed under the present system Is
equivalent To large percentage OF the money APP
proprlaied for the payment OF the letteI-carrers.
II young King Alexander OF Servia acts In
accordance with the published programme he
win start for Russia in about week, stopping at
the military camp Of Kleh and at Moscow, en-
route 10 81. Petersburg. 1t is cllimed that his
visit to Russia will mark the collapse Of Aus
TRAN influence IN Servia.