The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-06
ASKS LEGISLATION TO CONTROL TRUSTS.
Flag Must Continue to Float In the PhppnesDuty of
Nation to Provide Just Government to Natives-Aust
Increase Navy-Merchant Marine Should Be Encour-
aged--Prosperous Condition of the Treasury--Pro-
vision Should Be Made Against Future Panics

elgn markets. Like vigilance and effort
on our part cannot fail to improve our
situation, which is regarded with hui
initiation at home and with surprise
abroad. Even the seeming sacrifices,
which at the beginning may be involved
will be offset by more than equivalent
gains.
MUST GAIN CARRYING TRADE.
The expense is as nothing compared
to the advantage to be achieved The
re-establishment of our merchant mar
inc involves in a large measure our
continued industrial progress and the
extension of our commercial triumphs.
am satisfied the judgment of the
country faVOrS the policy of aid to our
merchant marine, which will broaden
our comerce and markets and upbuild
our sea-carrying capacity for the pro-
ducts of agriculture and manufacture;
which. with the increase of our navy
mean more work and wages to our
countrymen, as well as a safeguard to
American interests in every part of the
world.
Combinations of capital organized
into trusts to control the conditions of
trade among our citizens, to stife COM
petition, limit production and determine
the prices of products used and con-
sumed by the people, are justly provok-
ing public discussion and should early
claim the attention of the congress.
J The industrial commission created by
the act of the congress of June Is, 1898,
has been engaged in extended hearings
upon the disputed questions involved
in the subject of com binations in re-
strafnt Of trade and competition They
have not yet completed their investi-
cation of this subject. and the conclu-
sions and recommendations 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
establishments, which previously to the
formation of the combination were car
ried on separately.
MUST CONTROL TRUSTS.
It is universally conceded that COM
birations which engross or control the
market of any particular kind of mer-
chandise or commodity necessary to the
general community, by suppressing
natural and ordinary competition
whereby prices are unduly enhanced to
the general consumer, are obnoxious
not only to the common law, but also
to the public welfare There must be
a remedy for the evils involved in such
organizations. If the present law can
be extended more certainly to control
or check these monopolies or trusts,
1t should be done without delay. What
ever power the congress possesses over
this most important subject, should be
promptly ascertained and asserted
President Harrison, in his annual
roOa Of o III,
attention should be given by congress
to a consideration of the question how
far the restraint of those combinations
of capital commonly called trusts, is
matter of federal jurisdiction. When
organized, as they often are, to crush
out all healthy competition and to mo-
nopolize the production or sale Of an
article Of commerce and general ne
cessity, they are dangerous conspiracies
against the public good, and should be
made the subject of prohibitory and
even penal legislation"
TRUST LEGISLATION.
An act to protect trade and commerce
against unlawful restraints and monop-
olies was passed by congress on the
I'd of July, 1890. The provisions of
this statute are comprehensive and
stringent. 1t declares every contract
or combination, in the form of a trust
or otherwise, or conspiracy in the re-
straint Of trade or commerce among the
several states or with foreign nations,
to be unlawful 1t denominates as a
criminal every person who makes any
such contract or engages in any such
combination or conspiracy, and pro-
vides a punishment by fine or impris-
onment. 1t invests the several circuit
courts Of the United States with ju-
riSdiction to prevent and restrain viola
tions of the act and makes it the duty
of the several United States district at
torneys, under the direction of the at
torney general, to institute proceedings
in equity to prevent and restrain such
violations. 1t further confers upon
any person who shall be injured in his
business or property by any other per-
son or corporation by reason of any
thing forbidden or declared to be I'M
lawful by the act. the power to sue
therefor in any circuit court of the
United States, without respect to the
amount in controversy, and to recover
three-fold the damages by him sustain
ed. and the costs of the suit, including
reasonable attorney fees. 1t will be
perceived that the act is aimed at eV-
cry kind of combination in the nature
of trust or monopoly in restraint of
interstate or international commerce
The prosecution by the United States
of offenses under the act of 1890, has
been frequently resorted to in the fed
eral courts and notable efforts in the
restraint Of interstate commerce such
as the trans Missouri Freight Associa-
ton and the Joint Traffic Association,
have been successfully opposed and
suppressed.
Continued on Page Two.)