The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-12-27

New York December 26.-According to
special to the World. Attorney General
Knox's troubles did not end when he was
confirmed by the senate, The special says
that the Antitrust league has delivered
itself of an ultimatum TO the effect that
"Sttorney General Knox must ut once
enter suit TO dissolve the five great trusts
OF the country, or the failure Of the de.
partment of justice to enforce the anti
trust law win be made the subject Of sen
satioual disclosures in open session Of the
senate"
1t is insisted that pledges were made IN
behalf Of the attorney general at the time
his confirmation was held up aud that they
must be fulfilled without delay.
These alleged pledges were that the at-
torney general would at once begin suit
against the trusts. 70 dsarm opposition
10 Mr. Knoxs immediate confirmation 1t
was also promised, so 1t is asserted, that
steps would be taken 10 materially
strengthen the antitrust law.
Secretary Martin Of the Antitrust league
said tonight: "In executive session Of the
senate on the day Mr.. Knox was confirmed,
and just before the vote was taken on con
irmation, pledges were made In behalf of
MIR. Knox that he would ut once bring
suit against the Ave great trusts Of the
Countrywide United States Steel corpora
ton, the Armor-Plate trust, the Standard
OH trust, the anthracite coal combine and
the railroad combine. The friends of Mr..
Knox also agreed that the law should he so
amended that the exclusive power TO bring
suit for violation Of the antitrust law
should not he vested exclusively in the at
torney general as at present, but in any
United States district attorney
Senator Hoar made the statement that
the attorney general had made the pledges
10 our committee to begin surh suits but
our committee states specifically TINT he
did not make any such promise or any
promise approaching such pledge.
"The test Of the honesty and sincerity OF
purpose of the attorney general aud those
who secured his prompt confirmation is 10
be made after the senate conyenes In Jan
uary. If the confirmation Of Mr. Knox
which could have been postponed indefinite
| Is. IL NOT absolutely defeated, was the re-
| suit of promises intended merely as a trick
/ the country shall know it, and the senate
| shall be plunged into a discussion that VIII
Law bare the whole situation, including the
pledges made and the betrayal of good faith
! soIemnly given the United States senate 10
secure favorable action upon the nominal
tion of man against whom there has BEEN
and is today, very serious question as to
his fitness for the high office OF legal ad-
wiser of the government of the United
! States.
"These pledges" Mr. Martin continued
"were made both on the door OF the senate
! in executive session and In committee.
( william NJ. Dewart myself and others call
ed upon Chairman Hoar Of the senate judie'
larry committee, and Senator Hoar told US
he had talked with Attorney General Knox
about the charges and had asked him what
answer he wished TO make.
''AIr. Hoar said the attorney general toia
him that he had not refused TO take up tne
case against the steel trust. His failure 70
proceed, the attorney general saia, was be
cause the time was too short, because there
had been such pressure Of public business
because there had been change In tn
presidency. and because the assembling OF
congress had so encroached upon his time
all Of which had rendered action by hin
impossible.
eve sent Mr.. Knox letter Novempel
rs and asked for an answer by the 2Tth