Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-14
USES AND ABUSES.
The Antitrust Conference Is
Opened at Chicago.
Plenty Of Life Displayed and Friction
Is Narrowly Avoided.
Many Delegates, Including Col. VIM. Jennings
Bryan. Are Absent.


the uses and abuses of trusts and com
binations began here. today, with less
than half the delegates appointed by the
various states in attendance. New
York, whose delegates were headed by
w. Bourke Cochran. and Wisconsin
were most numerously represented.
The meeting took place in Central
Music hall and was called to order by
Franklin II. Head. the temporary
chairman appointed by the Civic Fed
Grafton. Addresses of welcome were
made by Attorney General Akin. on be
half of Gov. Tanner, who is ill., and
DR.. Taylor, on behalf OF Mayor Harri-
son.
With the progress of the speaking Il
became evident that many of the dele
gates had come with firm convictions
for or against trade commissions. The
speech of Mr. Wooten of Texas. deliv-
cred during the afternoon. and ham
mcring trusts in a merciless manner.
aroused the widest enthusiasm in the
ranks of the labor representatives and
the delegations from many Western
and Southern states. while the East
crncrs generally smiled critically and
kept their arms folded.
Suggestions for the makeup Of a
committee to arrange a programme to
be followed the next three days of the
conference popped from every part Of
the house with such rapidty that il
was with difficulty that the temporary
chairman extracted the basis for reso-
luions which We're finally adopted.
This was not accomplished till w.
Bourke Cochran and August Cans, a
delegate representing the knights OF
Labor. had become the centre Of a
scene which proved unrestrained
laughter. The head Of the New York
contingent in an cndeavor to bring or
der out of chaos arose while Mr.. Cans
in very loud tone was declaring that
his delegation was of more Importance
than that Of any state. When Mr..
Cochran began speaking Mr.. Cans fish
cd from hip pocket a pair Of opera
glasses and at a short range Contcm-
plated the speaker. commenting coca
sionally in such way that the merri-
ment drowned the voice Of the orator.
II was resolved finally that the civil
Federation. through its chairman. Mi.
Head. should conduct the meeting. to-
day. and that a committee On pro-
grammc consisting Of one man from
each state delegation and one from
each organization. national in its scope
should be appointed. Local organiza-
lions in attendance were given q voice
in the committee by being allowed ~
vote for the committeeman with the
delegates from their state.
~.
cure recognition until vigorous speeches
had been made by Mr.. Cans ana John
w. Hayes. also n knight Of Labor dele
gate. Mr.. Hayes created something Of
a sensation by declaring. in language
as scornful as it was vigorous that he
did not intend to be- classed with the
New Jersey delegation. even If he did
vote in that cradle Of trusts.
The non-attendance Of many dele
gates was not unexpected. and Sec.
Easlcy announced that probably 100 Of
the tardy ones. including Gov. Pingree
Of Michigan, would be present. tomor-
row. Among those present. today,
were: w Bourkc Cochran. Albert
Shaw of the Review Of Reviews: Coy.
Atkinson Of West Virginia; ex-Gov.
Foster of Ohio: Prof. John Il. Clark of
Columbia University: Attorney Gen
Smith of Texas; +. +. Thurhcr of New
York; Prof Henry G.. Adams, Inivcr-
sity of Michigan: Prof. J. w. jerks Of
Cornell University: Prof. John Graham
Brooks of Cambridge. Mass: lecturer
on political economy in the University
of Chicago. Prof. Bemis: Lieut.. Gov.
Jones Of Ohio: Prof. Il. l.. Ely. CnivCr-
sity Cf Wisconsin; and Attorney Gen
cral Smythe of Nebraska. VIM. J.
BRYAN was absent but it is believed h"
will appear later in the conference.
Chairman Head delivered an address jn
exclamation of the call for the conference.
Prof. J. W. jerks Of Cornell University,
followed with a paper under the caption
problems Before the Conference Il
was l o'clock before this paper was fin
ished ana an Adjournment was taken IN
til clock.
The afternoon session opened with
paper by Prof. Adams on the same sub.
icct as that Of DR.. jerks. These al
dresses were attentively received, but it
remained for Dudley Wooten Of the Texas
delegation. TO stir up enthusiasm. He was
frequently interrupted by cheering. IL
spoke in part as follows:
Accepting in good faith that amend
ment which the heroic leEiOns of the
South resisted unto death on a thousand
battlcfields. we believe that neither slav
cry nor involuntary servitudc, except as
punishment for crime. shall exist within
the United States or any place subject To
their jurisdiction. And We confidently
assert that the commercial and industrial
bondage being rapidly imposed upon the
Toll and talents of i0.oO0.W0 American ciu
Zcus by the syndicate in the wealth of i
few great corporate nonopoiies is more
dire and dangerous than the slavery
which bowed the heads and burdened the
backs of 100000 Southern black men.
And above and beyond those great
written guarantees of equality and justice
we look to the lessons of history and ap
Zeal to the authority of experience. When
We are told that commercial combination
promises golden rewards to the present
tendencies of our economic system, We
remember that no republic has ever sur
vived the mercenary despotism of mer-
chants and money changers
John Graham Brooks of Cambria sc,
Mass. in Sticking Closely to Facts" as
he prefaced his address. was received
with considerable applause. William For
tune. president of the Indiana state board
of commerce. also spoke.
The committee on permanent organ
iZaton met after the Afternoon adjourn
ment of the conference. The commit
tee, consisting of one delegate from
each state represented and each or
ganization of general scope, included