The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-23
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
FRIDAY. MARCH %. 1900.
Are Democrats SqusreIy Against the
Trusts.

Are Democrats SquareIy Against the
Trosts.
The strongest plank likely to be spiked
into the Democratic platform Of 1900 win be
that declaring the party hostile TO trusts ana
mouopolies. II Mr.. Bryan advice is followed,
as is most probable. the cormorant corpora
lions. which have taken refuge in such sym
pathetic States as New Jersey and Delaware,
viii be denounced as heartily as those
which have been fortified into robustness
BY Congressional legislation and favoritism.
The National Bank Trust is one OF the
Iast-named order, the Railroad Trust is an
other. According to the best authorities,
the railroads of the United States at the
present hour represent a capital Of about
eleven billions OF dollars. Their real cost
was probably not far from seven billions,
The other four billions mere bagatelle
as one might SAYS water, padding or
stufing 1t represents the sums which have
been distributed to the inside rings OF pro-
motors or manipulators, on which il is the
object of the managers to earn and dis
tribute dividend OF al least four per cent
per annum. and more IL possible. To secure
this, freight and passenger rates viii have
10 be forced to the highest point the traf-
ic will bear. and to provide against the
competition which would be likely to de-
feat such an object. consolidation OF lines
naturally competitive or where consolida-
ton or combination is impracticabie or
prohibited. a purchase under some form
will be resorted to. These precautions
taken. rates will not only be put up, but
Kept up. SO that dividends may be earned
On the extra four billions OF valuation.
II Congress can be kept quiet and docile
all OF this can be done. It is too late for
the railroads to dispute the constitution
ality Of the Interstate Commerce law. The
highest court has recognized it. and it must
stand unchalienged So that what is now
needed is to amend this law in accordance
with the suggestions of Mr.. Knapp. the
Chairman Of the Commission, as expressed
in the bill introduced at the beginning of
the session by Senator Cullom. Without
this amendatory legislation the power Of
the Commission to effect anything service
able to the country. to curb the rapaclty
OF the railroads. or to prevent the crystal
Hzatiou OF this great trust is absolutely de-
stroyed.
Evidently from Its inaction the Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee has been
hypnotized by what methods every one
may Judge for himself
1t can be awakened. however. and
spurred to action The Democratic Sen
ators can do it. One Senator. even, could
do it. if he made it his sole business.
The committee could be made to report
the Cullom bill either favorably or with
q recommendation that it be indefinitely
postponed. On that report the Repub-
lean majority could be forced to show
its hand. The Democrats have not SUI
1icient strength to pass the bill. but they
can drive the Republicans to declara-
ton for or against this colossal trust.
II they refuse or fail to pass the Gull
lom bill they can be placed in the pillery,
and no pleading. no resounding resolution
against the trusts. will aid them.
II the Democratic Representatives are
sausrely against the trusts. as they pro
test they are. here is their opportunity
to prove it. There is no greater one than
the railroad monopoly, and. unlike many
others. it is accessible to a square at
tack.
Senator Allen Of Nebraska has been
pIethoric in declare tions. and is mem
Der OF Mr.. CuIlom's committee. Why
doesn't he start the movement? He has
not been sparing OF denunciation: but
will he follow up promise with perform
Snce? The same question might be asked
Of Mr. Chiffon OF Texas. and OF Mr.. Till Z
man Of South Carolina.
Let the contest be stripped OF all coIlat- (
ersl issues and come straight to the mer- |
its Of the measure-either the passage Of 1
the cullom bill. to equip the Interstate |
Commerce Commission with power TO han |
die this particular trust. or its defeat.
The roll cali viii settle the pretensions /
OF many a Democrat who has been heard /
for his much speaking It viii also, in an (
probability, smash to splinters the plank I
with which the Republicans contemplate I
the decoration Of their Philadelphia plat I
form. But whatever the outcome. let the /
people know who are their friends, and /
who are the serylceable agents Of the /
trust
Again Comrades.
We are greatly edited in learning that I
The trust family trouble. which broke out