The times., 1899-06-20
THE WAR ON TRUSTS.
Governor Rogers of Washington
Gives some Interesting Views.

Gives some Interesting Views.
Austin. Tex. June 1s.-Governor Sayers
today received an interesting letter from
Gov. ]. R. Rogers, of the State of Wash
ington. on the antitrust movement He
attend the proposed conference of Govern
ors and Attorneys General to be held in St
Louis September 90. Continuing, he says:
1t has occurred to me in this connection
that many people are favoring State con-
troll of trusts with insiucerity, thinking in
this way to pass through the next national
campaign with safety to themselves, feel
ing sure that whatever State legislation
may be enacted which will really curb the
power of trusts will eventually be declared
unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of
the United States.
with those who thus, and for this pur-
pose. advocate State legislation regarding
trusts l can have no sympathy. and | arm
bound TO believe. too, that legislative ae-
tion which seeks to control the formation
and management Of trusts will prove inef-
fectual.
in the first place. the word trust is mis-
leading when applied to a great many in
dustrial combinations now threatening the
prosperity of the people. in many in
stances so-called trusts are merely larger
corporations. Ii has occurred to me that
corporations will be declared TO possess a
vested and constitutional right to buy and
sell.
Clearly it seems to me that corpora
tons, as well as natural persons. have
right TO buy and hence right to sell
whatever is offered for sale in the market.
II a sufficient amount of capital be en-
ployed corporation or a natural person
has the ability and the constitutional right
to buy all OF a certain product offered for
safe; and this will unquestlonably operate
to fix the price at which such product VIII
in future be sold. We can see that as in
the case of that parent of trusts. the Stand
ard OIL Company. The power to buy and
sell possessed by that company is entirely
sufficient to regulate the prics at while, oil
will be sold. The Standard Oil Company
thus gets the power to drive out of bust
ness all competitors, and in this way 10
establish the price for which their product
must be sold. | am at a loss TO see 100,
how the moral and fundamental right of
either natural or corporate persons 10 buy
and sell can be interfered with by legal
enactment, under our constitution For
these reasons l can see no remedy for the
trust evil save public ownership. The new
question of trusts is really the very old
ferently, the attempt of the almighty dol
lar to secure entire supremacy in the al
| fairs of men, There is in all this an ire
pIessible conflict which will not down at
the bidding of any State Legislature"
Gov. William A. Stone. of Pennsylvania.
writes: Il will be glad to give this matter
the consideration to which 1t is entitled,
coming from one for whom l have so high
a regard and respect as yourself, formed
| through several years of close inti-
macy as member of the Congressional
Committee over which you presided wlth
such ability and fairness. | will take the
matter up with the Attorney General OF our
State and give it full consideration.
| The private secretary of the Cove nor o.
Oregon writes that he is directed by the
| Governor to say that he looks upon the
! proposed antitrust conference vita fayo,,
and is willing TO cooperate in the en-
| deavor to bring about the desired result
Lansing. Mich, June 19.-The Sayers
anti trust bill. which will be made a law
| by Governor Pingree this week, is sweep
| ing in its provisions. II declares unlaw-
ful every sort of a partnership, corpo-
ration, combination. or agreement designed
to increase or reduce prices OF output, re-
strict trade. or prevent competition in
| manufacturing, transportation, sale or
| purchase of any merchandise, produce. or
commodity. Every such transaction is de-
clared TO be a conspiracy against trade,
and persons, firm, or corporations connect
ed with them are subjected to severe PEN
! alties. Michigan corporations will be pro-
ceeded against for the forfeiture of their
| franchises and foreign corporations will be
deprived of their right to do business in
Michigan. In addition to this the Offend
| ing corporation is made liable TO a fine
| of from $50 to 5,0B and the principal man
! ager. director. agent. servant. or employe
thereof 10 imprisonment for one year.
Each days continuance of the violation
is made separate offence. Further than
this every person, firm, partnership. cor
poration. or association of persons who
| shall violate the law. is to forfeit $50 for
/ every day the violation shall continue, and
persons injured in their business by the
| trusts are TO recover judgment for twice
| the damages sustained