Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-06
THE TRUST QUESTION.


Prosecutions ~ Federal Govern
ment Under act OF 90 Frequent.
The President next discusses the ques-
ton of trusts. on which he SAYS: Com
binations Of capital organized into trusts
TO control the conditions Of trade among
our citizens, TO stihe competition. limit
production. and determine the prices OF
products used and consumed by the peO-
pie, are justly provoking public discus
sion. and should early claim the atten-
ton of the Congress.
THE Industrial Commission. created by
the act of the Congress Of June IS lSgS,
has been engaged i'm extended hearings
upon the disputed questions involved in
the subject of combinations I'm restraint
of trade and competition. They have not
yet completed their investigation OF this
subject, and the conclusions and recon-
mendations which they may arrive at are
undetermined.
1.-THE subject is one giving rise to many
divergent views as TO the nature and va
riety. or cause and extent Of the injuries
10 the public which may result from
large combinations, concentrating more
or less numerous enterprises and estab-
lishments. which. previously 10 the for
nation Of the combination, We're carried
on separately.
EVIL OF TRUSTS.
1T Is universally Conceded that the
combinations which engross or control
the market for any particular kind Of
merchandise or commodity. necessary to
tho general community by suppressng
natural and ordinary competition, where
by prices are unduly enhanced 10 the
general consumer, are obnoxious not only
TO the common law. but also TO the pub
lie welfare. There must be a remedy for
tho evils involved in such organizations.
If the present law can be extended more
certainly to control or check these mo-
nopolies or trusts. it should be done with
out delay. Whatever power the Congress
possesses over this most important sub
ject should be promptly ascertained and
asserted"
The President quotes from President
HarrisOns message OF December 3, lsN',
on this subject, and adds:
THE ANTITRUST LAW.
IAN act TO protect trade and commerce
against unlawful restraints and monopo-
lies was passed by Congress on the "a OF
July. 1898. The provisions OF this statute
are comprehensive and stringent. Ii 0e-
clares every contract or combination, i'm
the form Of "a trust or otherwise or con-
spiracy in the restraint of trade or COM
merce among the several States or with
other nations 10 be unlawful. 1t denomi-
mates as a criminal every person who
makes any such contract or engages in
any such combination or conspiracy, and
provides punishment by fine or impris-
onment. 1t invests the several circuit
courts of the United States with juris
diction to prevent and restrain violations
OF the act. and makes it the duty Of the
several United States district attorneys.
under the direction of the Attorney Gene
raj. 10 institute proceedings I'm equity 10
vent and restrain such violations. IL
further cOnfers upon any person who
shall be injured i'm his business or pro-
perty by any other person or corporation
by reason Of anything forbidden or de-
clared to be unlawful by the act, the
mower TO sue therefor In any Circuit
Court of the United States. without re-
spect TO tho amount I'm controversy, and
10 recover threefod the damages by MIN
sustained and the costs OF the suit. IN
Guiding reasonable attorney fees. II will
be perceived that the act is aimed at
every kind OF combination in the nature
of a trust or monopoly in restraint of in
terstate OF International commerce.
"The prosecution by the United states
of offences under the act of 1870 has been
frequently resOrted 10 In the Federal
courts. and notable efforts in the re-
straiut of interstate commerce. such as
the Trans Missouri Freight Association
and the Joint Traffic Association. have
been successfully opposed and SUPPRESS
ed"
The President dismisses the subject as
follows:
STATE LEGISLATION PROPOSED.
1T is apparent that uniformity Of lesis-
lation upon this subject In the several
states Is much 10 be desired. IL ~ 10 be
hoped that such uniformity founded In a
wise and Just discrimination between