The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-06-13
The President and the Beef Trust.

ne FreSlOcnt anu tHS DceI iFuSt'
In the last issue of the Comwoney the
editor, w. J. Bryan, calls the attention Of
President Roosevelt to that portion of the
Sherman antitrust law which declares
criminal any conspiracy in restraint Of
trade and names the penalty therefor, and
asks him few pointed questions con-
corning his course in bringing the vio-
Eaters to justice. The following is All ex-
tract from the article:
"You are the chief executive of this
nation and as such are not only empow-
cred, but are required to enforce the law.
By commencing a civil action against the
members of the beef trust you declare
that the members of that trust are in your
opinion guilty of violation of the law.
Why do you hesitate to commence a
criminal action? The penalty fixed in
the statute is insignificant compared with
the penalty prescribed for violation Of
less important statutes When a man
violates the internal revenue laws there is
no hesitation about prosecution, although
the license fee is small and the fine for
selling without license heavy in proper
portion to the crime. If the members of
the beef trust have raised the price Of
meat one cent per pound, they have laid a
tax OF millions of dollars upon the people
of the United State, aud it means an
f>pnEf n fhat,ca1yac Hna IF
$1,000 is insignificant, and year in the
penitentiary would be small punishment
compared with that which is given to a
man who steals a horse or a hundred
dollars. Why do the members of the beef
trust escape criminal punishment? Is it
because of their responsibility? If the
doctrine of equal rights to all and special
privileges to none applies to the admin
istration of justice, there can be no such
thing as responsibility among those guilty
of violation Of the laws of the country
Does their wealth shield them? Certain
ly, no one will justify the mild treatment
of rich criminal and the harsh treat
ment Of poor one. Are they favored
because of the political influence they
exert? Surely the republican party has
fallen from its first estate if rich trust
magnates can violate the law with impu
nifty and defy the authorities of the Unit
ed States.
"Imperialists have placed the dollar
above the rights of the Filippinos, but
will your administration show partiality
in the enforcement of the law in the
United States because of the business
interests or political contributions of those
who conspire against the welfare of the
public?
at is publicly stated that some of the
capitalists have condemned you for at
tempting to enforce the antitrust law
even by civil process; it is even limited
that they threaten to oppose your re-
nomination if you show the strenuous
ness i'll this direction that you have shown
toward the Filipinos, but can you be
scared by such threats You have shown
physical courage and bravery upon the
battleield-you were not afraid of bullets
when any one Of them might have taken
your life; will you now fear to face con-
centrated wealth. Civil suits may annoy
the captains of industry but if you are
going to 'shackle cunning you will have
TO shackle it with criminal laws A prison
cell will prove more effective in the pre-
ventiou of monopoly than judgments or
DEGREES for the payment of money. You
have chance to show that you were in
earnest when you made that Minneapolis
speech-so far you have not convinced
even your friends"