Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-05

EA"SNS AL - = N0N AAAN
from which greenbacks shall be redeem
upon presentation, but when once re-
deemed shall not thereafter he paid out
except for gold.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
me Valne OF an American merchant
marine to the extension of our com
merclal trade n the strength of every
power upon the sea invites the imme-
dlate action of congress. Our national
development will be one-sided and un-
satisfactory so long as the remarkable
Grown or our inland industries remains
unaccompanied by progress on the sea.
Ihere is no risk Of constitutional
authority for legislation which shall
give to the country maritime strength
with it's Industrial
achievements n with it's rank among
NATIONS OF the earth. The past year has
recorded exceptional activity in our ship
in ship building are abundant.
Advanced legislation for the protec-
,lon OF our came have been enacted
ana our coast trade under regulations
wisely framed at the beginning of the
soNernhleft n since. shows results for
~ past nscal year u~nequalled in our
records or those of any other power. We
ShaA tall to realize our opportunities.
however, II we complacently regard only
at home and blind ourselves to
the necessity of securing our share in
me ~Valuabl carrying trade of the world.
q ear american vessels transported
a smaller share of our exports and i'm
ports than during any former year in
all u history and the measures of our
dependence upon foreign shipping was
painfully manifested to our people.
Without any choice of our own but
rom necessity the department of the
government charged with military and
naval operations in the East and West
indies had to obtain from foreign flags
merchant vessels essential for these
operations.
The other great nations have not hest
ta1ed TO adopt the required means to de-
Velop their shipping as a fact, or in ma
tlcnal defence, and as one of the surest
and speediest means of obtaining for the
producers a share in foreign markets
ike vigilance and effort on our part
cannot fail to improve our situation
winch is regarded with humiliation at
nome and with surprise abroad. Even
these seeming sacrifices which at the
beginning may be involved will be off
later by more than equivalent gains.
me expense is as nothing compared
to the advantage to be achieved. The
OF our merchant ma
rH1e Involves in a large measure our
industrial progress and the
expansion Of our commercial triumphs.
] am satisfied the judgment Of the coun-
try favors the policy of aid to our mer-
chant marine, which will broaden our
and markets and uDbuild our
sea carrying capacity for the products
OF agriculture and manufacture and
which, with the increase Of our navy
means more work and wages to our
countrymen, as we'll as a safeguard to
American interests in every part Of the
world.
THE TRUST QUESTION.
Combinations Of capital organized into
which control conditions of trade
among our citizens, stitle competition,
limit production and determine the
prices of products consumed by the peo-
pie are probably provoking discussion
and should early claim the attention Of
congress. The industrial commission,
by the act Of congress of June
Is, 1898, has been engaged in extended
hearings upon the disputed questions in
volved in the subject of combination in
of the trade and competition.
have not yet completed their inves-
of this subject and the con-
and recommendations at which
may arrive are undetermined.
The subject is one giving rise to many
divergent views as to the nature n
variety or cause and extent of the in
juries to the public which may arise
large combinations concentrating
more or less numerous enterprises and
GSldIDllSlll1lbillS MICH prev lOtS 10 lie
formation of the combination We're ar
ried on separately.
1t is universally conceded that combina-
ions which engroSs or control the mar
ket of any particular kind of merchand-
ize or commodity necessary to the gem
eral community by suppressing natural
and ordinary competition whereby
prices are unduly enhanced to the gem
nral consumer are obnoxious not only
TO the common lay but also to the public
welfare. There must be a remedy for
he evils involved in such organizations.
IF the present law can be extended more
to control or check these mo-
aopolies or trusts it should be done with
)ut DELAY.
Whatever power congress possesses
this important subject should be
promptly ascertained and asserted.
President Harrison. in his annual mes
of Dec. 8. 1889. says: Earnest at
should be given by congress to a
consideration of the question of how far
the restraint of the combinations of cari-
tai commonly called trusts is a matter
Of federal jurisdiction. When organized,
as they often are, to crush out all heat by
competition and to monopolize the pro-
duction or sale of an article OF
and general necessity they are dangerous
conspiracies against the public good they
be made the subject of p~rohibitory
and even penal legislation"
An act to protect trade and m
against unlawful restraints and mo-
was passed by congress on July
1890. The provisions of this statute are
n stringent. 1t de-
,lares every contract or combination in
he form of a trust OF otherwise, or on
in the restraint of trade or COM
nerce between the several states or for
.ign nations to be unlawful. 1t denomin-
ates as a criminal every person who
makes any such contract or engages in
my such combination or conspiracy and
provides a punishment by fine or Inn
1risonment. It invests the several cir
,uit courts of the United States With jur-
to prevent n restrain viola
ions of the act and makes it the duty of
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