The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-29
THE PRESIDENTS WAR ON MO-
NOODLES.

In one of the earlier sympOsiums in which
those who Drofessed to know al! about
trusts exchanged misinformation one man,
who was conspicuous for speaking with
caution. remarked that the determinations
Of railroads in favor of one competitor
against others was one OF the most prolific
promoters Of harmful combinations TO con-
troll trade. His observation did not attract
much attention because he was not IA
nous as other speakers. This was said at a
time when railroad managers were assert
ing that the rates which they advertised
were paid by all customers shipping the
same quality Of goods. At the same time
the Interstate-commerce Commission in
sisted that discrimination was practiced.
The commission complained of a lack of
power TO stop it, and did very little else
than complain. Soon after Mr.. Roosevelt
became President the commission began to
take testimony to prove that discrimina-
ton had been practiced Railroad man
ayers were called TO Chicago TO give testi
mony. To the surprise of the country, most
Of the managers declared they had given
rebates TO large packing companies in Chi
cago. Kansas City and Omaha. II was
stated at the time that the increasing ex-
| actions of the large packing companies had
become so burdensome that the railroad
managers confessed violation of the law in
order &c put an end to them. IL seems from
/ the evidence that several lines had been re-
funding to the packing companies between
is and 20 per cent of the amount paid as
/ freight. Even if the rebate were half those
/ figures competitor which did not have
/ ii could not do business. Therefore il was
an arrangement in restraint of trade
When this information was made public
/ President Roosevelt caused suits to be be-
| gun to enjoin the railroads from carrying
freight for any person for less than their
advertised rates and from making rebates
/ to shippers. The railroads against which
such actions were begun seem not to have
made any opposition. This is further evil
dence that the railroads are satisfied with
any action which will enable them TO re-
fuse the further exactions of the packers
1t is not too much to claim that this i'm
pOrtant step to break up the most effective
form of conspiracy would not have been
taken without the positive direction of the
President. Therefore, to President Roose-
welt is due the credit for putting an end to
the abuse of rebates in violation of the
interstate-commerce law.
The practice of discriminating in favor Of
large shippers having been stopped by the
enforcement of the provisions of the inter-
state-cOmmerce act, the attention of the
President was called TO the alleged beef
trust, or combination of packers. by the
rise in the prices of meats. Before dema-
gogues in Congress had offered their made
| quate remedies President Roosevelt caused
the machinery of the Department of Jus
tice to be set in motion to investigate the
policy pursued by the large packing COM
panies to ascertain if they were violating
the Sherman antitrust law. Such evidence
has been found and suits will be instituted
information which they will give the public
will throw light upon what has been hidden
for years. If the packing companies have
cOnspired TO stifle competition and to con-
| troll prices the people will know it, and they
also know that the penalties of the law will
be enforced. II 1t shall appear that there
is no such combination the people will also
know 1t. Whatever those who rail against
trusts may say, and whatever remedies
they may advocate, the country knows that
the President is resolutely enforcing the
laws to prevent the restraint or trade and
that he has already accomplished much.