Evening star., 1899-12-05

crush or- all healthy competition and to
Uuuopouza the production or sale of an
article OF commerce and general nec ssijy
they are dangerous Conspiracias agains
CE- public good. and should be made the
subject of pTuEibiJory ana even penal IrgIs-
io,i9n-''
The Act of July. 1890.
Al act To protect trade and commerce
against unlawful restraints and monopoIies
vas passed by Congress on the ~ Of JUL
lNn The provisions of this statute are
comprehensive and stringent. IT declares
every contract or combination, in the form
of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy in
The restraint Of trade or commerce among
the several states ur with foreign nations,
to br unlawful. Il deuominates a. Il Grim
IL a' ey-C- person who makes any -uca con-
tract or engages in any such combination
"r conspiracy, and provides punishment
Uv fine or Imprisonment. II invests tha
several circuit courts Of the United States
with Jurisdiction u prevent and restrain
violations IF The act. and makes it the
duty Of the several United States district
1.t"ru. v. under the direction of the At
-arney-GereraI. to institute proceedings in
equity to prevent and restrain such viola
10 MS tr further confers upon any person
property by any other person or corpora
rion by ason Of anything forbidden or
declared To be unlawful by the act the
power To sue therefor in any circuit court
Of the United States without respect to
the amount in controversy. and to recover
thre fold the damages by him sustained
and the costs Of the suit, including reason
able attorney fees. 1t will be perceived
that the act is aimed at every kind of com
hination in the nature of a trust or mouop-
oily in restraint of Interstate or interna-
tional commerce.
The prosecution by the United States Of
OfTenses under the act of 1890 has been fire.
qUently resorted to in the Federal courts.
and notable efforts in the restraint of inter-
state commerce. such as the Trans VI =Souri
Freight Association and the Join; Traffic
Association. have been successfully op-
posed and suppressed
President Cleveland in his Annual Mes
sage Of December :, 1S96-more than SIX
years subsequent 70 the enactment of this
.aw-df ~ stating the evils of these trust
combinations. says.
Though Congress has attempted to deal
v.-h this matter by legislation the laws
PASSED for that purpose thus far have
proved ineffective. no; because of any lack
Of dl-p's ion or attempt To enforce them
9ut simply because the laws themselves as
interpreted by -he courts do not reach the
difficulty II he iusutIicieuc.es of existing
Laws can h. Tem-di,d by further Iegisla-
tiuIr. 81 should Dc done. The fact must be
recognized. however that all Federal leg s.
"'-.'i. on ms subject may fan short of its
purpose because oi inherent Obstacles. and
also because OF the complex character OF
cur governmental system. which. While
making the Federal authority supreme
WITHIN lis sphere, has carefully limited that
sphere 10y ine.eS and bounds which cannot
Zee lraHSEieSSai- The decision OF Our high
e., court on his precise question renders
IL quite oVuo.fu! whether the evils of trusts
ard m"n"p poles can be adequately treated
through Federal action. unless they seek
".Fet.F and purPoSeiy to include in their