The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-16
No Tangible Remedy.

Inc ANTITRUST conference Wi''h H"@
been il, session In Chicago for some days
past. has adjourned without having pre-
scented one single concrete suggestion
for dealing with the problem of nonop-
olistlc trusts. or having thrown a SIN
gle ray OF light upor this great econ
cmic aluestion. and this after speeches
innumerable had been made. sufficient
in amount to AL several volumes
The trouble with the ANTITRUST con-
ference. and with other assemblies OF
like character held since the trust qnes-
tion has pressed itself home upon the
people. IL that Its proceedings from
start to finish we're dominated and con-
troiled BY a cheap class OF Democratic
and Populistie politicians. who thrust
themselves into the movement, shout
dsrins to one side the few earnest and
thoughtful men who were really trying
inteiligently 70 discuss the subject.
They endeavored to make political cap
itai out OF the whole thing for them
selves personally and for the parties
which they represented by wholesale
denanolation. rather than by the sus-
gcstion II any tangible scheme Of legis-
lation to meet the conditions
Remedies were the last things which
they sought: political capital the sole
idea which dominated them, and as
result. the final expression of the con-
veution was simply reaftlrmance OF
certain pianks of Populist platforms.
which have also been accepted by the
Democrats In certain parts Of the coun-
try. The political platform finally adopt
ed. and which differs in but slight de-
gree from that OF the ordinary Popuilst
or fusionist instrument OF like manufac-
ture. IL. In substance. declaration
against trusts. for government owner
ship OF railroads ana telegraph lines,
opposition 10 the protective tariff and
IN favor OF the so-calied referendum.
With side denuncis ton Of the pending
currency bill
Not one single tangible PROPOSE
ton was pat forward or seriously
considered, no remedy was sug
s0ssed witch would reach the es-
saaee Of the matter; not a single hon
est attempt was made TO discuss the
DIFFICULTIES which lie in the way OF les
islation, There seemed 10 be little sp-
probation Of the slight power which
congress has under the constitution ia
deal with matters OF domestic concern
within the states and :; was but
weak effort that was made to solve the
problem presented by the attempt 10
draft constitutional legislation which
would forbid the operation ~ monopo.
ns,ic trusts without At the same time
preventing combinations OF farmers.
fruit srpwrrs, or even labor unions,
These are the important questions
which thoughtsn mea. seeking a REM
eAy FOR monopolistic trusts. find press
ing home upon them. and Il Is sions
these lines that study OF future lcslsia-
ton directed against trusts must pro-
c~ed. Wholesale aenunciation and alb.
stract theorlEing are all very well for
political stump speeches. designed mere
~ for the purpose Of vote getting for
political party. bat they add nothing
towards the solution OF the problem
with which abe country win have 60 deal
by concrete legislation,
In this particular the late convention
stands squsrely with the Democratic
and Popuhstic politicians who controlI-
ed e. It's formulated platform is sim
ply an abstract from stump speech,
and none " its offered remedies is OF
the slightest tangible value IA remedy
for the monopolistic tendency of trusts.
The referendum Is proposed, To what
ends Where is the distinct legislative
remedy for trusts which win require
submission TO the popular vote? II such