Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-12-05
the valuable carrying trade of the

OF our dependence upon foreign SHIPPING
was painfully manifest to our people.
Without any chOice Of cur own but from
necessity, the departments OF the gov
eminent charged with military and ma q
val operations In the East aud West In
dies had 10 obtain from foreign flags
merchant vessels essential for those
operations.
The other great nations have not hes
llated % adopt the required means TO
develop their shipping as a factor In
national defence, and as one OF the sur
est and speediest means Of obtaining
for their producers a share In foreign
markets. Like vigilance and effort on
our part cannot fall TO improve our sit
uation. which Is regarded with humllla-
ton al home and with surprise abroad.
Even the seeming sacrifices which at
the beginning may be Involved, will be
onset later by more than equivalent
gains.
The expense Ia as nothing compared
10 the advantage 60 be achieved. The
re-establishment of our merchant ma
rine involves In a large measure our
continued industrial progress and the
extension OF our commercial trlumphs.
/ am satisfied the judgment OF the
country fayors the policy Of aid TO our
merchant marine, which will broaden
our commerce and markets and up
build our sea carrying capacity for the
products OF agriculture and manufac-
ture, and which. with the Increase Of
our navy mean more work and wages
10 our Countrymen, as well as a safe
guard 60 American interests In every
part Of the world.
TRUSTS AND INDUSTRY.
Combinations OF capital organized In
10 trusts to control the conditions Of
trade among our citizens 10 stife COM
petition, limit production and determine
the prices Of products consumed by the
people are probably 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.
1898, has been engaged In extended hear
lngs upon the disputed questions in
yolved In the subject OF combination In
restraint Of trade and competition.
They have not yet completed their in>
vestigatlon Of this subject and the con-
illusions and recommendations at which
they may arrive are undetermined
The subject is one giving rise TO many
divergent Views as 10 the nature and
variety or cause and extent Of the In
jurles TO the public which may arise
from large combinations concentrating
more o. less numerous enterprises, and
establishments which previously 10 the
formation Of the combination were car
lied on separately.
II is universally conceded that COM
binations which engross or control the
market Of any particular kind Of mer-
chandlse or commodity necessary 20
the general community by suppressing
natural and ordinary competition.
whereby prices are unduly enhanced TO
the general consumer, are obnoxious not
only 10 the common law. but also 10
the public welfare There must be q
remedy for the evils involved in such
organizations. II the present law can
be extended more certainly to control
or check these m0nopolles or trusts, il
should be done without delay. What
ever power the Congress possesses over
this most important subject should be
promptly ascertained and asserted.
TRUSTS IN THE PAST.
President Harrison, in his annual
message Of December 3, 1889. says:
Earnest attention should be given by
Congress to a consideration OF the Ques-
tion how far the restraint OF those COM
blnations Of capital commonly called
trusts Is matter Of federal Jurisdiction.
When organized. as they often are, 10
crush out all healthy competition and
to monopollze the production or sale Of
an article Of commerce and general
necessity. they are dangerous eonsplra-
cles agains THE public good and they
should be made the subject Of prohibit
DRY and even penal legislation"
An act TO protect trade and com.
merce against unlawful restraints and
mOnopolies was passed by Congress on
the second Of July, 1890. The Prov.
sions Of this statute are comprehensive
and stringent. IL declares every con.
tract or combination In the form OF a
trust or otherwise or conspiracy In the
restraint Of trade or commerce between
the several States or foreign nations 10
be unlawful. II denomlnates as
criminal every person who makes any
such contract or engages In any such
combination or conspiracy and provides
a punishment by fine or Imprisonment
II Invests the several circuit courts Of
the United States with jurisdiction TO
prevent and restrain viola ti0ns Of the
act and makes II the duty Of the sew
eral United states district attorneys
under the direction Of the attorney
general TO Institute proceedings In equi-
ty to prevent and restrain such Viola
uons. 1t further confers upon any
person or corporation by reason OF any
thing forbidden or declared to be- IN
lawful by the act the power 60 sue |
therefor In any circuit court Of the /
United States without respect to the I
amount In controversy, and 10 recover /
,hreefold the damages BY him sus-
talned, and the costs OF the suit In /
reasonable attorney fees. II |
will be perceived that the act Is aimed |
at every kind OF combination In the ma
ture Of a trust or monopoly In restraint |
q interstate or international COM
merce
ANTITRUST PROSECUTION.
THE prosecution by the United States
Of oifenses under the act OF 1890 has