The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-25
goods from partnerships. and yet nobody

goods from partnerships. and yet nobody
seriously advocates any such prohibition.
The trouble with all these matters said
the Senator from Nevada. us that You con-
fuse the good with the evil. | said In the
beginning that the difficulty was In drawing
the proper line. have never been able TO
do it and nobody else has been ablet TODD II.
The only remedy that | have ever seen that
would be effective II competition. We
should pass no laws giving exclusive privi-
leges. Let composition be untrammelled n
a free people will soon rid themselves to a
great extent Of trusts"
After Senator PROCTOR Of Vermont had
pointed out that the law now limits the pur-
chasing officer To buying Army supplies
from the lowest bidder. and had int1mated
that Mr.. BERRY's purpose In Offering the
amendment was merely to place the Repub-
licans at a disadvantage because they did
not believe that trusts could thus be exter-
minated. tho proposition was rejected by a
vote Of 20 nays to IS yeas.
II should be noted that in the course OF
the debate Senator SEwRLL Of New Jersey
had the temerity to say a good word In
favor OF two Of the greatest trade combi-
nations now In existence. the Standard Oil
Company and the Sugar Trust. The Stand
ard OIL Company. said the General, has
lit up the world at a cheaper rate than its
predecessors ever did" and the so-oalled
C,,.n, TN.,a% pkoa ,haonano1 TIM YHno NJ
sugar every day since the combination. and
hos been a benefit to the whole world. and
particularly TO the United States"
The difficulty OF dealing with great trade
combinations by legislation is appreciated
In quarters where such breadth Of view
might hardly be expected. Even such a
socialistic leader as EUGRNR V. DEBs refuses
to Join in the howl at the Republican party
for not making and enforcing more anti
trust laws. In a recent interview at Cleve-
land he Is quoted As saying:
Much has been said agains, 'he Republican party
because Of the great combination Of capital during
the last four years, but in reality the party is not re-
sponstle for that al all. at least not directly. This
great concentration Is bu, a natural step In the prog
ress Of events, and while II might perhaps have been
retarded 70 some extent by legislation you might as
well legisate against the force OF gravity. That there
will be concentration n certain. The question now II
whether It will be controlled by a few individuals or by
and for the benefit Of the people at large"
II anything is attempted, however. in the
way Of law-making by Congress- or In any
State against the trusts. the greatest care
will have to bc taken TO avoid putting down
the good In endeavoring to put down the
bad. A precise definition Of the trade
combination which Is to he deemed
unlawful will be essential. That defni-
tion must not include partnerships or
corporations designed TO make money in
the ordinary methods that have been sane
toned for years by the customs of the mer-
community. The element which is
10 constitute illegality must be distinctly
indicated. This can be done In a statute,
II the statute Is drawn with sufficient
care. 1t was done in a judicial deci-
sion when the courts OF this State dis
the North River Sugar Refining Com
pany for joining the Sugar Trust. on the
ground that II was a violation Of law for q
manufacturing corporation TO enter into a
partnership. The only effective legislation
against trusts will be found In the enact
ment of some simple rule like this. capable
of comparatively easy enforcement.
In dealing with this subject Congress will
have to take care whom 1t hits. There Is
danger lest thread on the toes OF the farm
ers. There was organized recently at Abilene
the Knights Of the Soil. Each lodge is
called a Head Farm and is presided over by
a Head Farmer. The purposes Of the or
ganization are thus stated:
1T is In the nature OF a trust. In which farmers Of
the West are to be interested Members are TO make re
ports 20 the Supreme Farm. or Lodge. as required by
the head officers, OF the number Of acres OF given grains
raised and the crop held In stock II Is proposed tha,
the lodges shall help their members to hold their
grain FOR higher prices and that there shall be mutual
assistance given 70 those who are In need
A similar combination of manufacturers
would be regarded in Kansas IA a highly
Objectionable trust, which should be
stamped out by law. But We have fire.
quently observed that 1t makes a great
deal Of difference whose OK ia gored.