The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-13
HOUSTON, SATURDAY, MAY 10, Isoo
j TEN PAGES TODAY.
POSSIBLE EFFECTS or ANTI-TRusT
LEGISLATION

It appears TO be a foregone conclusion
at Austin now that the antitrust bill will
be enacted and become law in substan-
TALLY the form in which it was originally
introduced. The measure undoubtedly has
the majority sentiment of the State be-
hind 1t and It will be to an extent an ex-
IRENE bill because desperate cases re-
quire desperate remedies"
or course the trusts that have been
operating in Texas Will have to cease their
business here. or dissolve as trusts, II the
law Is sustained in the oourts--for the
same sentiment that has demanded such
\ legislation will also demand the enforce
lment Of the law. 1t is hardly likely that
any great combine win sacrifice its general
Hrganization simply for the sake OF its
Texas business. The insurance companies
ior example, or many OF them, claim that
lhey do more business in one or two OF the
more populous States OF the North In
which they operate under rate bureau
lor by common agreement than in the
whole South. The withdrawal of many
lines of trust business. therefore, from
the State is among the probabilities II tho
law remains in force and is vigorously
executed.
In many instances some business en-
oarrassment may be occasioned both TO
the concerns representing trusts and to
the State as a whole. For such conse-
onepces of the proposed legislation the
public must be prepared. II we feel that
the dose is necessary which we are ad-
ministering, we must take 1t without com
planning, confidently depending upon the
ultimate effects for our general improve
ment and gain. One State can not stop
the operations of these big combines. hut
u can do its part and thus encourage
Others until finally the trusts viii he
forced to dissolve. In proportion TO the
number Of States that build up Chinese
walls against trusts and thus encourage
independent. individual enterprise at
home to that degree will the big allied
corporations be injured and compelled to
contemplate the necessity Of dissolving as
trusts
The question OF Interstate commerce
will OF course arise In a majority of cases
and over such commerce the Federal gov
eminent alone has jurisdiction. A state
law can not interdict Interstate business
and when that character of commerce be-
comes of the Objectionable kind the gem
eral government must be appealed to for
the corrective.
me real extent, therefore, to which the
antitrust law in Texas may occasion EN- :
oarrassment, or affect business for the
time being, can not be foretold. But what
sver the consequences the people should
prayely sustain them and rest in the as.
sursnce that, the States industries will be
ultimately benefited by driving out monop
oily Local capital will be induced TO take
hold Of the local field when assured of a
living chance and is not menaced by the
great combines that are able TO beat down
individual or local competition.
There may be temporary rises in the
price OF certain articles in use and in
certain services required; In some cases
inconvenience and even losses may occur,
hut the trusts have themselves melted
the people to adopt heroic remedies and II
Is not left for either side to whine. II
Is a great fight in which the public must
both give and take without finching. Let
Texas face the Issue courageously with
supreme confidence in its great futuret