The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-26

FdH!es VI tlIS CDuIltlS'
Canada and England. If formed, it
will control the production of from
100000 to 100000 tons of salt an
nually: and, says one of it's promoters.
"outside of the savage countries and
Russia it will supply the entire world
curing. Not only will the company's s
markets include the countries of the
Western hemisphere, but they will
also include Continental Europe.
Africa and Japan, China and other
Asiatic countries" The name of the
company will be the International Salt
company, and its capital is expected
to be at least S5O,0Oo,oOO.
In this general connection Wash
ington letter published in the Clcve-
land Leader has timely interest. j..
says that an investigation to deter
mine whether certain great corporate
combinations are operating in contra
vention of the Sherman anti trust law
is being made by the federal depart
ment of justice. If it is ascertained
that the statute has been and is be-
ing violated, and the department. can
go into court with sufficient evidence
to make a prima facie case, action
will he instituted to vitiate these COM
binations. The trust question then
would resolve itself into paramount
legal issue aud be fought to a finish.
Against the federal government would
he arrayed vast aggresations of capi-
tai which go TO make up so-called
Dctopuses.
Just what trust or trusts is being
locked into is known only to the in
veStigators. The first information
which must be secured relates to the
character of the agreement which OBJ
ta!ns among the several constituent
actors OF the trusts in question. Next,
it must be determined whether this
compact when in force violates the
sp,llt and intent of the antitrust law.
II IL easy tn appreciate the difficulties
which may he encountered in an effort
to learn of the terms under which the
anna !Eam ion of interests was effect
ed. Trusts are not required to make
public such contracts. Therefore in
formation OF this character must be
procured in a quiet way.
The principal provisions of the anti
trust law which was passed in the
Summer OF 1890, the late John Sher-
ran, of Ohio. being the author. may
he summed up as follows: Every
contract, combination in the fovm of
trust or otherwise, or conspiracy. in
restraint of trade or commerce among
the several states, or with foreign
nations, is hereby declared to be ille-
gal Every person, corpora
tion, or association that shall monopo-
lie, or attempt to monopolize, or conf
hine or oonspire with any others to
monopolze any. part of the trade or
commerce among the several states
or with foreign nations, shall be
deemed guilty of misdemeanor
Every contract. combination
In the form OF trust or otherwise, or
conspiracy, in restraint of trade or
commerce between any territories or
states or. between any states or for
eign nations, is hereby declared ille-
gal" ,a..
In the Missouri Freight asso-
citation case the Supreme court held
that the Federal antitrust law applies
10 railroads, and prohibits all agree
ments in restraint of interstate trade
and conmerce, whether the restraint
be reasonable or unreasonable. An
other case was made by the depart
ment of justice against the Joint
Traffic association few years ago.
In this case the court followed the
decision lin the Trans Missouri case,
and held in addition, that the anti
trust law is valid and constitutional,
and that congress has the power to
say that contract or combination
shall not be legal which restrains
commerce among the several states by
shutting. out the operation of the gem
eral law of competition. In another
case the Supreme court held that con-
gress may prohibit the performance
OF any agreement between individuals
or corporations where the natural or
direct effect of 1t Is TO regulate or re-