Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-05

THE sUBJEcT OF TRUSTS.
1t II Reviewed ut Length with Several;
ecommendntions.

Combinations of capital organized into
trusts to control the conditions of trade
limit production and determine the. prices
of products used and consumed by the
people. are. Justly provoking public dis
cussion, and should early claim the atten-
tion of the congress.
The industrial commission. created by
the act of the congress of June is, 1898.
has heen engaged in extended hearings
upon the disputed questions involved in
the subject of combinations in restraint
Of trade and competition. They have not
| subject, and the conclusions and recon-
mendatlons at which they may arrive are
undetermined.
The subject is one giving rise to many
divergent views as to the nature and
variety or cause and extent of the in
juries to the public which may result from
large combinations concentrating more or
less numerous enterprises and establish
ments, which previously to the formation
arateiy. - sly
Trusts Are Obnoxious.
1t is universally conceded that COM
binations which engross or control the
market of Nany particular KIND of mer-
general community, by suppressing nat
ural and ordinary competition, whereby
prices are unduly enhanced to the general
common law but also to the public well
fare. There must be a remedy for the
evils involved in such organizations. If
tainly to control or check these monopolies
or trusts. it should be done without de-
lay; Whatever power the congress pos
sesses over this most important subject
| serted.
President Harrison in his annual mes.
| sage of December 8, 1889, says:
Earnest attention should be given by
congress to consideration Of the ques-
Gn h1w far tae those
trusts Is matter of federal jurisdiction
When organized, as, they often are, to
monopoiize the production or sale of an
article of commerce and general necessity
they are dangerous conspiracies against
the public good. and should be made the
subject of prohibitory and even penal legis-
| lation."
Previous Trust Legislation.
An act to protect trade and commerce
against unlawful restraints and monopo..
lies was passed by congress on the I'd of
July, 1880. The provisions of this statute
are comprehensive and stringent. 1t de-
the form Of trust or o. oth oi or aonl
spiracy in the restraint of trade or COM
merce among the several states or with
mates as criminal every person who
makes any such contract or engages In any
such combination or conspiracy, and pro-
| yides punishment by fine or imprison-
ment. II invests the several circuit courts
| or the United States with jurisdiction to
| prevent and restrain violations of the act,
/
States district attorneys, under the direc-
| ton OF the attorney general to Institute
| proceedings in equity to prevent and re-
! strain such violations. 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 for
! hidden or declared to be unlawful by the
| act the power to sue therefor in any cir
! cult court of the United States without re-
| spect to the amount In controversy, and to
] recover threshold the damages by him sus-
i tained and the costs of the suit, including
| reasonable attorney fees. 1t will be per-
| ceived that the act is aimed at every kind
of combination In the nature of a trust 81.
| monopoly In restraint OF Interstate or in
| ternational commerce.
Previous Efforts Reviewed.
The prosecution by the United States OF
| offenses under the act of 1890 has been free
| quently resorted to in the federal courts,
| and notable efforts in the restraint of in
| terstate commerce, such as the Trans
Missouri Freight association and the Joint
| Traffic association, have been successfully
| opposed and suppressed.
| President Cleveland in his annual mes
sage of December Z, 1S96-more than six
| years subsequent to the enacimont of this
| law-after stating the evils of these trust
| combinations. says:
! Though congress has attempted to deal
With this matter by legislation. the laws