Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-08
Discusses Presidents State
ment on the Trusts.
HE PROCESSES SURPRISE
SAYS CONGRESS WAS NOT AD-
VIsED ON THE MATTER.
Declares That Democrats Were De-
sirous Of Prolonging the Session
to Take Up Remedial Legislation.

President Reesevelts announcement
agains trusts Is being scrutinized in all its
bearings and discussed most energetically
by the managers of the democratic congress
sional campaign
1t would seem from Mr.. Roosevelts
statement that all the country need do is
TO wait until the reassembling of Congress,
When forthwith the trusts will be reg
ulated. remarked Chairman Griggs. as he
TOOK his seat at his desk in democratic
headquarters this morning after few
days absence in Georgia.
Mr.. Griggs Expresses Surprise.
Il am somewhat surprised he continued
that the President should have waited
until after Congress had adjourned to de-
llver his message on regulating the trusts.
The Constitution requires the President to
advise Congress as to legislation on any
subject considered necessary by him, and
his failure to advise Congress on this ques-
tion is indeed strange, considering the fact
that he thought it necessary to say some
thing on the question two days after the
adjournment Of the session.
Inc legitimate conclusion must be that
ms message is to the people and not to the
law'-making power.
The democratic party in Congress in the
last caucus held before adjournment insist
ed on antitrust legislation. We not only
d'd that, but we urged that Congress re-
nam in session until such legislation could
De enacted The President knew Of this,
and with his assistance we probab bly, could
have accomplished something. If he is in
earnest. let him call Congress together, and
the democratic party stands ready to vote
ior anything that will rid the country of
the trust burden.
But does the President suppose that the
people of the country do not know that the
republicans have had full control Of both
the legislative and executive branches of
the government since 1897 and that he can
point to nothing that has been done since
that time to regulate trusts. If anything
mas been done have been unable to find
a record Of it
Will Not Influence Democratic Pro-
gram.
Mr.. Griggs stated, that the proposed re-
publican campaign against trusts will not
turn aside the Program of his party to
make that question a leading issue. He be-
lieves it to be the question uppermost in the
public mind, and he also believes that the
democratic manner of providing trust regu-
lation-through tariff reforms the only
correct method of accomplishing the desired
end. 81
am. Of course not prepared to say
Just what good might be accomplished
through law RECURRING publicity and scru-
tiny of business methods At best any re-
form on this line can be accomplished only
by moral suasion, and moral suasion, In nv
opinion. will be as weak with the trusts as
1t is with the average republican
The republicans have had the opportu-
nifty to pursue their program to their
hearts content, but they have refused so
far to do anythiDg-eyen this"
Attitude, Of the Trusts.
Mr.. Griggs was asked what he thought
might be the future attitude of the trusts
toward the republican party should their
regulation be made feature of the repub-
lican program.
81 will not charge that the republican
leaders are in COLLISION with the trusts" he
replied, but these institutions know per
fectly well that they have not been hurt so
far by the republicans. and they know also
the result if the democra tic idea to regulate
them through tariff reform be carried out.
For this reason they may not withhold
their support from the republican party in
the belief that republican threats and no
action is far preferable to democratic regu-
lation."
Mr. Griggs will go to New York In a day
or two to hold conference with Mr. Lewis
Nixon and Mr.. Ben T. Gable of the execu-
tive and finance committees of the demo-
cratic organization.