The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-17
RERF rRIsr coMMENr-

The big packing houses give as the
cause for the high prices of meats. the
reason that cattle are scarce. This
moves the New York World to say;
The treasury departments tables of
exports for April. just published, show
that the meat packers combine sent to
foreign countries during last month 81
321, 1872 worth of fresh beef. over $1,000
600 of canned and sailed beef. and So
651, 245 worth of fresh and sailed pork
So that meat products valued at near
" So, 000, 600 were sent out of the country,
to be sold at lower prices to foreigners
than the home market prices to Ameri-
cans, in month when. according 10
the meat monopoly, there was "a rea!
scarcity of CATTLE"
Hubby up that suit Mr.. Knox!
Commenting on the case being prose-
cuted by Attorney General Knox in the
Chicago courts the World says:
The interstate commerce act of 1889
amending the original act of 1887, pro-
vides that any railroad corporation. or
any officer, director or agent thereof,
who shall violate it by making an un-
lawful discrimination IN rates fares or
charges
shall in addition to the fine hereinoe-
fore provided for (s5.0o0 for each Of
fense), be liable to Imprisonment in the
penitentiary for term of not exceeding
two years. or both such fine and i'm
prisonment, in the discretion of the
court
Attorney General Knox, in his bill OF
equity against the beef trust, charges
that under the Sherman antitrust law
of 1890 the receiving of these rebates by
agreement with the railroads is "a com
bination and conspiracy in restraint OF
trade and commerce" If the court
sustains this view not only the man
ayers of the beef trust but those of all
other combines receiving rebates from
the Enthusiastically the Standard Oil
and the coal combines, both Of whose
monopolies are founded on proved IA
voritisin in freight eharges-are brought
under the criminal provisions, section .
of the Sherman law. which says.
Every person who shall monopolize
or attempt to monopolize, or combine or
conspire with any other person or per-
sons to monopolize, any part Of the
trade or commerce among the several
states or with foreign nations, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and
on conviction thereof shall be punished
by a fine not exceeding $4,000 or by inn
prisonment not exceeding one year, or
by both said punishments, in the dis
erection Of the court
The fact that in the twelve years
since this law was passed no trust pres
| idents or directors have been either
fined or jailed under this provision does
not necessarily make it certain that
none ever will be. Attorney General
Knoxs bill IN equity looks squarely il
that direction. The spectacle Of a rail-
road president, a millionaire packer, a
coal baron or an oil king doing time"
for breaking the laws and defying in>
! functions would, of course. be shocking.
But then the American theory of law
is that it is no respeeter of persons. "
/ Debs vents to Jail for defying a federal
court. and why not an Armour or a
4 Cudahy a Rockefeller or Baer?
Attorney General Knox has q great
/ opportunity to make himself famous as
the man Who caused government By
f~inienetion to work both ways.