Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-12-05


marine, which will broaden our com
carrying capacity for the products of
agriculture and manufacture, which,
with the increase of our navy, mean
more work and wages to our country
men, as we'll as a safeguard to Ameri-
can interests in every part of the world
The rust Problem.
Combinations OF capital organized in
TO trusts to control the conditions of
trade among our citizens, to stifle COM
petition, limit production and determine
the prices of products used and con-
sumed by the people, are justly provok-
ing pubic discussion, and should early
claim the attention of the congress.
The industrial commission, created by
the act Of the congress of June Is, 1898
has been engaged in extended hearings
upon the disputed questions involved in
the subject of combinations in restraint
of trade and competition. They have
not yet completed their investigation of
this subject, and the conclusions and
recommendations at which they may
arrive are Undetermined.
The subject is one giving rise to many
divergent views as to the nature and
variety or cause and extent of the in
juries to the public which may result
from large combinations concentrating
more or sless numerous enterprises and
establishments, which previously to the
formation of the combination We're car
ried on separately.
BAD TRUSTS ARE BAD.
1t is universally conceded that COM
binations which engross or control the
market of any particular kind of mer-
chandise or commodity necessary to the
general community, by suppressing
natural and ordinary competition,
Whereby prices are unduly enhanced to
the general consumer, ara obnoxious not
only to the common law but also to the
public welfare. There must be a rem
edy for the evils involved in such or
ganizations. II the present law can be
extended more certainly to control or
check these monopolies or trusts. it
should be done without delay. What
ever power the congress possesses over
this most important subject should be
promptly ascertained and asserted.
President Harrison in his annual mes
sage of December 3, 1889, says.
Earnest attention should be given by
congress to a consideration of the ques-
tion how far the restraint of those COM
binations of capital commonly called
trusts Is matter of federal jurisdiction.
When organized, as they often are, To
crush out all healthy competition and
to monopolize the production or sale of
an article of commerce and general ne
cessity they are dangerous consplracies
against the public good. and should be
made the subject of prohibitory and
even penal legislation"
PRESENT TRUST LAWS.
An act to protect trade and commerce
olies was passed by congress on the I'd
of July, 1890. The provisions of this
statute are comprehensive and strin-
gent. 1t declares every contract OF
combination, in the form of trust or
otherwise, or conspiracy in the restraint
of trade or commerce among the several
states or with foreign nations, to be un-
lawful. II denomnates as a criminal
every person who makes any such CON
tract or engages in any such co1nbina-
ton or conspiracy, and provides a pun
lishment by fine or imprisonment. 1t in
vests the several circuit courts of the
United States with jurisdiction to pre-
vent and restrain violations of the act
and makes it a duty of the
several United States district at
torneys, under the direction OF
1.-THE attorney general, to institute
proceedings in equity TO prevent and
restrain such violations. 1t further
lconfers upon any person who shall be
| injured in his business or property by
any other person or corporation by rea-
son of anything forbidden or declared tc
be unlawful by the act the power to sue
| therefor in any circuit court in the
! United States without respect tic the
amount in controversy, and to recover
Ithree-fold the damages by him sus-
tanned and the costs of the suit. includ-
ling reasonable attorney fees. 1t will be
perceived that the act is aimed at every
kind of combination in the nature of a
| trust or monopoly in restraint of inter-
state or International commerce.
| The prosecution by the United States
of offenses under the act of 1890 has
been frequently resorted to in the feder-
al courts, and notable efforts in the re-
| straint of interstate commerce, such as
the trans Missouri Freight Association
and the Joint Traffic Association, have
been successfully opposed and sup
pressed
President Cleveland in his annual
message of Dec. I. 1S96-more than six
years subsequent to the enactment oi
this law--after stating the evils OF
these trust combinations, says
Though congress has attempted to
deal with this matter by legislation, the
laws passed for that purpose thus fan
have proved ineffective, not because oi
any lack of disposition or attempt tc
enforce them. but simply because the
laws themselves as interpreted by the
courts do not reach the difficulty. II
i the insutficiencies of existing laws car
be remedied by further legislation, ii
should be done. The fact must be rec.
ognized. however. that all federal legis-
lation on this subject may fall short OF
Its purpose because Of inherent obsta.