The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-21

r. oET Il u M bEh l., 100;
every combination and association
of any magnitude in this country un-
der the guise of a trust almost with
out exception owes it's existence to
governmental grant of privilege, ex-
emption and power. In this form of
business activity the individual shields
himself under the protecting advan-
tage of immunity of a corporate ex-
istence, created by statute.
Were it not so, trust formal tions
would be fewer in number, smaller in
magnitude and less dangerous to So
ciety. The fact that the trust almost
universally owes it's life to the crea-
tive power of public authority makes
1t the imperative duty Of the govern
ment to protect the people against any
abuse or misuse of it's opportunities to
the detriment of the general welfare.
This Is, in my opinion, a complete an
swer to any objection that might be
used against governmental interference
to restrain, and, If needs be, to en-
tirely destroy the trusts power when
|. ever it shall become hurtful or peril
GUS"
Governor Sayers declared that in
none of the generally accepted author
tiles upon finance, commerce or me-
chanic and agricultural industry can
there be found rational defense of the
system that has so suddenly ard so
| firmly fixed it's iron grasp upon the
material interests of the country. The
gravity of the situation, the speaker
| declared, could not be over-estimated
| nor permitted to pass unchallenged by
| those charged with important and re-
| sponsible public duties. 1t was not
| the time for evasion nor was 1T sub
| ject worthy only of discussion. Action
| careful, thoughtful, intelligent and
| courageous action--he said, was the
| hours greatest need.
Co-Operation.
Constitutional obstacles lie in the
| way and the evil cannot be eradicat-
| ed by either federal or state author
| ity acting simply the governor con-
| tinued. There must be cooperation
| between both governments. general and
! local, each working earnestly and SIN
| cerely within its sphere"
! In the speakers opinion both gov
! eruments may be rightfully held re-
| sponsible for the existence of the trust
| and the subject was indisputahly with
| in the domain of federal legislation.
Governor Lon V. Stephens followed
| Governor Sayers in an address, IN
which he told of what had been done
| in Missouri to fight the trusts.
Governor Stephens then caused some
| what of a sensation among he repIE-
! lican state officials present by denounc-
ing the national administration and its
war policy and declaring that trusts
and imperialism go hand in hand. 1t is
| hinted strongly that the Republicans at
| tending the conference may return
| home tonight as the result of this
outbreak of partisan rancor and leave
the democrats to continue the confer
! ence alone. In any event, it is stated,
| Governors Thomas of Colorado ana
| Shaw of Iowa will leave tonight, the
! former being called away by pressing
| business Governor Shaw is III the
midst of a campaign and his speaking
| engagements will not permit him TO
remain longer it is Stated, The "oll
call showed these states represented as
follows:
Michigan, Governor Pingree and At
torney General Oren; Missouri. Gov
| ernor Stephens and Attorney General
| Crow; Texas, Governor Sayers and At
torney General Smith: Arkansas, Gov
! ernor Jones and Attorney General la
Wis: Tennessee, Governor Mcmillan;
Iowa. Governor Shaw: Colorado, Gov
ernor Thomas and Attorney General
Campbell: Indiana, Attorney General
| Taylor; Montana, Attorney General
| Nolan: Mississippi, Monroe McCluTS
! democratic candidate for attorney gen
| eral.
Insurance Commission c. G. Heif-
ner of Washington appeared on the
|
torney general of that state, ana ~
| unanimous vote was accorded the right
to sit in the conference.
Attorney General Smith of Texas
| made a motion, which was carried
| providing for the election of commit
| tees on order of business and rasolu-
tions.
There was some opposition to the ap-
| pointment of a committee on resolu-
tions by Attorney General Taylor of
| Indiana and several other republicans
! present, their contention being that
this was no place to adopt resolutions.
The committee on order of business
was selected as follows: Governor
| Jones' Governor Thomas, Governor
Shaw and Governor Pingree; Attorneys
| General Nolan and Taylor and Mr.. Nc
| Clurg.
Committee on resolutions-Governors
Stephens and Mcmillan and Attorneys
| General Davis, Campbell, Oren, Nclan
and Smith and Mr.. McClurg.
A recess was then taken until 2. IN.
The Afternoon Session.
When the antitrust conference re-
sumed its sitting at O'Clock the crowd
that was in attendance in the morning
was undiminished. A telegram from
Governor A. J. McLaurin of Mississippi
said that business neceSsitated his ap-
sence and that any action tending to
eradicate the trusts and combines
would receive his support.
The committee on rules and order re-
ported, and the report was adopted
recommending the following order:
Reception of reports of committees,
reception and discussion of resolutions
and that Cushing's manual shall gov
ern the proceedings of the conference.
Attorney General Smith of Texas pre-
sented some resolutions favoring legis-
lation that would do away with trusts
and combinations. This was approprl-
ately referred.
Governor Mcmillan, chairman of the
committee on resolutions, reported that
the committee had only met to organ
ize and was not yet ready to report.
A meeting of the committee would be
held at night, he said
There being no further business be-