The Minneapolis journal., 1901-10-10

the country sober expression of opinion
on three of the paramount questions with
which the Roosevelt administration will
have to deal-the trusts, steamship sub
sides and reciprocity.
Editors on Trusts.
Trusts leading all three questions In
popular interest, this message was the
first sent to the newspaper editors in the
north, south, east and west.
What, in your opinion, is the best method
to deal with the trust question? Is the fol-
lowing general suggestion from President
RooseVelt's Minneapolis speech a good one ?
Yet more and more it is evident that the
state, and If necessary the nation, has got to
possess the right of supervision and control as
regards the great corporations, which are its
creatures. particularly as regards the great
business combinations, which desire portion
Of their Importance from the existence OF
some monopolistic tendency"
Twenty-Five replies were received, nine
teen from editors of republican papers,
four from editors of papers of indepen-
dent policy and two from heads of dem
ocratic organs. Almost without an ex-
ception were President Roosevelt's views
indorsed; practically all agreed upon the
necessity of some action looking to a re-
striction of monopolistic combinations
though the means of attaining this end
were somewhat diverse. Government con-
troll was generally favored.
The Replies.
Following are the expressions received:
General Felix Angus, editor of the Balti-
more American (democratic)-The law should
check an evil In the field Of finance and
trade as well as one found on the high
ways.
James B. Morrow, editor of the Cleveland
Leader, one of Ohio's most influential re-
publican papers-There should be laws. and.
if necessary, amendments to the constitu-
ton, which would give to the national gov
ernment power to hold monopolistic corpora
tions in check, when such action is neces-
sary to the public welfare. There should be
the widest possible publicity given to the
financial operations and conditions of monop-
oles and trusts.
The editor of the Springfield, Mass, Re-
publican declares that public legislation
is necessity" while H. D. BurrilI, editor
of the Syracuse, N. Y, Journal, says: I'm
regard to so-called trusts. we are now
many men of many minds. Some man
must lead, and who if not Roosevelt?"
G. H. Gere, editor of the Nebraska
State Journal, heartily concurs with
President Roosevelt" and points out the
advantages that may come from a ma
tional tribunal.
The editor of the Cincinnati CommerA
cial Tribune (republican) says "trust SUI
pervision is necessity
W. D. Page, editor of the Fort Wayne
News, says he is In most hearty accord
with the spirit Of President Roosevelt's
speech and declares that congress must
act"
D. G. O'Malley. editor of the New Orleans
Item, one Of the few republican papers In
the south-While congress may give efficacy
to general effort toward preventing com
binations in restraint of trade our chief de-
pendence for relief must necessarily be upon
the local assemblies.
e. W. Barrett, editor of the Birming-
ham, Ala. Age Herald, advises the repeal
Of duties on all trust wares, while the
editor Of the Grand Rapids Press suggests
that trusts be placed under government
supervision the same as banks.
Joseph B. Bates, editor of the Blooming
ton Paragraph, inclines to the opinion
that constitutional amendment is need
ed, and Charles Mclean Of the DUBUQUE
Times believes that the federal govern
ment alone can apply the remedy.