Evening star., 1901-10-05
Mr.. bryan on Trusts.

In his Labor day speech at Minneapolis
Mr.. Roosevelt had word to say about
trusts, and Mr.. Bryan now reminds him of
the deliverance In this fashion:
''Mr. Roosevelt was then Vice President.
and as such had little influence in shaping
the policy of his party. He Is now Presi-
dent and in a position to give force ana
effect to his views on the trust question.
AS the chief executive it is his duty to
enforce the law as he finds it. If the pres
ent Attorney General is not willing to carry
out his Instructions he can demand his
resignation and appoint a new Attorney
General. He can give no excuse for a fail
ure to enforce the law. When he was
exercising authority In New York city he
took the position that a law ought either
to be enforced repealed. 1t is to be
hoped that he will take the same position
now
Not only is he in control Of the execu-
tive branch of the government, but he has
a Senate, House and Supreme Court In po-
litical harmony with him. If existing laws
are not sufficient, he has the power of rec
sufficiently severe to give to the people the
protection which he admits to be needed"
Eminent lawyers, without regard to party
on the trust question Inadequate to cor
rect the evils complained of by the people,
and more than one effort has been made
to secure additional legislation on the SUBJ
ject- Unfortunately for the public inter-
ests, however, the trust question has been
seized by the politicians, and both sides
make use of 1t for campaign material. The
result Is that nothing is done, and the
trusts remain undisturbed. The present
situation. for which both parties are re-
sponsible, is precisely to the tastes of the
trusts.
One of the great difficulties in the way
of reaching this matter is In finding
monopolistic trust. What Is trust with
in the meaning of the prohibition of the
law?
Strangely enough, there is a public de-
bate now in progress on this point between
two prominent democrats, one Of them
near and trusted friend of Mr.. Bryan. Sem
ator Jones of Arkansas Is Offering for re-
election, and the charge is brought against
him that he is trust magnate. He is the
owner of a large block of stock of the
Round Cotton Bale Company, and his op-
ponent, Mr.. Clarke, declares that the COM
pany is a monopolistic trust. 1t controls
the patents under which the business is
transacted and therefore the entire busf-
ness. which. according to Mr.. Clarke, is
very profitable. But Mr.. Jones repels the
accusation. and insists that the company is
y.
He describes 1T as a legitimate business Or
ganization, and fairly entitled TO the pros
perity it Is enjoying. But the democrats of
Arkansas are stirred up on the subject
and United States senatorship is involved.
Now. instead of going into Ohio on the
difficult errand of trying to help Colonel
kilbourne without helping John R. Mclean
why should not Mr.. Bryan go to Arkansas
and assist In clearing I'd this question OF
the Round Cotton Bale Company? The
people would hear him with pleasure, and
maybe accept his decision in the premises
His definition would be of more value than
that Of either Mr.. Jones or Mr.. Clarke
They are at the disadvantage Of speaking
from personal interest. Mr.. Bryan would
speak as party leader and statesman
and in doing so he might perform great
national service Generalizations are tire
some and unilluminating. The Round Cot
ton Bale Company affords a specific text
What has Mr.. Bryan to say, reasoning
from that?