The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-09-21

CONFER |
Chief Magistrates Discussing the
Trust Evil at st, Louis.
SEVEN GOVERNORS ARE PRESENT.


The General Opinion Prevailing Is
That Trusts should BE Crushed out
by the Action Of the General Govern
ment--A Day Of speech Making.
St. Louis, Sept. 21.-The antitrust
conference. originated by Governor
Sayers OF Texas, was called to order
yesterday by Attorney General Grow,
of Missouri Mr.. Grow made a short
address, welcoming those present to
Missouri.
The roll call showed these states
represented. Michigan, Governor Pin
gree and Attorney General Oren; Mis-
souri, Governor stephens and Attorney
General Grow; Texas, Governor Say
ers and Attorney General Smith; Ar
kansas, Governor Jones and Attorney
General Davis; Tennessee, Governor
MCMillin Iowa, Governor Shaw: Col
orado, Governor Thomas and Attorney
General Campbell; Indiana, Attorney
General Taylor; Montana, Attorney
General Nolan; Mississippi, Monroe
McClurg Democratic candidate for at
torney general Washington, Insur-
ance Comm tssioner c. G. Heifner
Governor Lon V. Stephens, of Mis-
souri,, nominated Governor J. d. Say
ers, of Texas, as permanent chair
man, and he was unanimously chosen
Paul b. Moore. private secretary of
Governor stephens, was chosen secre-
tary of the conference.
Governor Sayers was greeted with
hearty applause when he assumed the
chair. He read a somewhat lengthy
address, setting forth his views on the
question Of trusts, which was frequent
ly applauded Governor Sayers said
in part:
No motive prompted my action in
suggesting this conference other than
the desire to induce, if possible, con-
cert action among such governors and
attorneys general of all the states that
might aid in an effort to suppress an
evil which has become gigantic in pro-
portions, and which, in the opinion of
a very large number of good and pa
triotic citizens of the republic, threat
ems the most serious and disastrous
consequences to the country.
1T is true that in some sections
money is plentiful trade active, spec
ulation rife, and that certain products
have largely and rapidly increased in
selling value. This prosperity, how
ever, is born. in a great measure, OF
war. and is largely attributable to the
enormous expenditures that have beer
and are now being made by the general
government for special purposes. II
cannot be reasonably expected that the
present prosperity will long survive
the settlement of our foreign difficult
ties and the restoration of peace.
During the past two years that
which was previously a shadow on the
horizon has become a dark and por.
tentious cloud, and on every side and
from every quarter are heard warnings
of imminent danger that should nc
longer pass unheeded. Every COM
bination and association of any mag
nitude in this country under the name
or guise of a trust, almost without ex-
ception, owes its existence to a gov
ernmental grant of privilege, exemp=
ton and power. The fact that the
trust almost universally owes its very
life to the creative power of public
authority, makes it the imperative
duty of government to protect the peo-
pie against any abuse or misuse of its
opportunities to the detriment of the
general welfare. This, in my opinion
is complete answer to any objection
that might be urged against govern
mental interference to restrain and, II
needs be. to entirely destroy the trust
power whenever it shall become hurt
full or perilOus."
Governor Stephens followed Cover
nor Sayers in an address in which he
told of what had been done in Mis-
souri, to fight the trusts,
After a recess a telegram was read
from Governor McLaurin, of Missis-
sippi, saying that business necessitated
his absence, but that any action tend
ing to the eradication of trusts and
combines would receive his support.
Attorney General Smith, of Texas,
presented some resolutions favoring
legislation that would do away with
trusts and combinations. They were
referred to committee.
Speeches were called for, and Gov
ernor c. S. Thomas, OF Colorado, was
the first to respond, He prefaced his
remarks by saying emphatically that
he did not agree with the expressions
voiced by Governors Stephens and
Sayers at the morning session. He
contended that the consolidation OF
business combinations in a few hands
was injurious to the people as a whole
He assumed that the question of the
threatened formation of those gigantic
combinations portended evil for the
people, and said it was time to call a
halt He argued that concurrent ac-
tion between the states and the ma
tional government was necessary Ia
control the operations of the so-called
trusts. He concluded his remarks with
vigorous attack upon the Standard
Oil company.
Governor Leslie Shaw, OF Iowa, then
took the floor and, as 1t seemed to
many, facetiously derided the remarks
of Governor Stephens at the morning
session. Before delving into the sub
iect he paused and made a motion thai
the governors of Missouri, Tennessee
and Texas be appointed to draft anC
formulate bill such as, in their Jpin.
ion, may safely and advantageously bC
passed by the legislatures of the sew.