The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-12-09
AS TO TRUSTS:
Congress Should Enact More Strin-
gent Laws for Their Control.

SoS 1AOuA
gent Laws for Their Control.
to control the conditions of trade among our
citizens, to stif1e competition, limit production
consumed BY the people. are justly provoking
public discussion, and should early claim the
attention of the congress.
The industrial commission. created by the
act Of the congress of June IS. 1895, has been
engaged in extended hearings upon the dis
puted questions involved in the subject of COM
binations in restraint Of trade and competition.
They have not yet completed their investiga,,
r r.ea IN aSia sas''e at VI ~ they may arrive i've
are undetermined.
j., The subject is one giving rise to many d.
'vergent views as to the nature and variety or
cause and extent Of the injuries to the public
which may result from large combinations con-
centrating more or less numerous enterprises
and establishments. which previouly to the
formation of the combination were carried on
1t is universally conceded that
combinations which engrOss or con-
trail of the market of any particular
kind of merchandise or commodity
necessary to h general community,
by s~uppressing natural md Or
binary competition, whereby prices
are unduly enhanced to the general
consumer, are obnoxious not only
to the common law but also to the
public welfare. There must be q
remedy for the evils involved In
such organizations.
If the present law can be extended more
or trusts, 1t should be done without delay.
Whatsve: power the congress possesses E over
ly ascertained and asserted.
President Harrison, In his annual message
nf Dec. 3, 1880, says:
Sress to a consideration of the question how
far the restraint of those combinations Of
federal jurisdiction. When organized, as they
often are. to crush out all healthy competition
and sr 70 mo M comme 5ne a ppddae eeneral or nee eass vi
they are dangerous conspiracies against the
public good, and should be made, the subject
An Act to Protect Trade and Com
against unlawful restraints and mononolies
W ,Sao p ane pr by fomgF sf th Sa statute .hs ta are %, e eom.
prehensive and stringent. 1t declares every
contract or combination. in the form OF q
straint of trade or commerce among the sew
eral states or with foreign nations, to be un-
person who makes any such contract or en-.
cages in any such combination or conspiracy,
and provides a punishment by fine or impris.
onment. 1t invests the several circuit courts
Of the United States with Jurisdiction to pre-.
vent and restrain violations Of the act. and
statss district II 1hs s aetsrn es 'a anae ssy ths d%lr pesisa
OF the attorney general. to institute proceed
ings in equity to prevent and restrain such
It further confers upon any person who
shall be injured in his business or property
BY any other person or corporation by reason
OF anything forbidden or declared to be un-
lawful by the act the power to sue therefor
without respect to the amount in controversy.
and to recover threshold the damages by him
sustained. and the costs of the suit. includ-
ceived that the act is aimed at every kind of
combination in the nature Of a trust or mon.
opoly in restraint Of interstate or International
m The prosecution by the United
States Of ofenses under the act of 1890
Has Bee Frequently ResOrted TO
in the federal courts. and notable efforts in
the restraint of interstate commerce.. such as
the trans-M Missouri freight association and the
Joint traffic association. have been success
fully opposed and suppressed.
President Glleeyyeland in his annual message
stating the evils Of these trust combinations.
Though congress has attempted to deaf
with this. matter by legislation, the laws
passed for chat purrose thus far have provsl