Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-04
TEIT2EGNES..
PRESIDENT AND THE TRUSTS.

A careful reading of President Roose-
~elt's message is ty no means calculated
10 dissipate any suspicion that may have
existed touching the sincerity OF his
claims that he tavorcd curling the trusts.
Quite the contrary. When what he says
regarding the tariff is placed in juXtapo-
sition with mis- deliverance on the trust
issue we find him playing fast and loose
holding with the hare and running with
the hounds We are confronted with
paipable Inconsistencies on his part which
leave him In the position of having to
choose between being considered insincerc
or lacking in the power 10 discern what
IS pra cticable. The American people
know that Mr.. Roosevelt is not so lack
ing.
The President tells US that he would
have tho interstate commerce act SO
amended and strengthened that under 1t
the trusts could he snorn of their power
Cor evil. and if that be not possible he
would place remedial authority in the
hands of Congress through an amend
,nent to the Constitution. Assuming, for
Roosevelt is sincere the very suggestion
of this alternative is evidence that he
doubts seriously whether Congress has
now the power 70 reach the trusts BIZ
amending the interstate commerce act,
or passing any other legislation. Then
as to amending the Constitution, the
President cannot but be aware that that
is long and tedious process, and that
the fate of a proposed amendment on the
lines lle advocates would be exceedingly
problematical. Conceding. however that
such an amendment would be ratified, the
trusts would gain, to them, valuable time
in which TO continue their oppres
sion Of the people. Nor would the suffer
ers from the trust evils be much better off
should ii prove that Congress has at
present the power to control and curb
them. For, under whatever Legislation
Congress might enact, there would come
interminable litigation in individual cases.
So we say that admitting Mr.. Roose.
welt is entitled 10 the benefit Of the
doubt on the question of sincerity, the
adoption Of his recommendations would
serve only to delay, Indefinitely perhaps,
any effective dealing with the trusts,
and insure them a long lease of life il
which to pile up burdens on the masses.
But the truth is. as We see it, that this
is exactly what the President desires to
accomplish lie would confuse and oh
scure the issue and keep it in allegiance.
IN the hope Of its gradually becoming
eliminated from the arena of public dis
cussion. AS a concession to the antitrust
sentiment he has good deal to say
about the evils ol the trusts, bat he an
agonizes attacking the root Of those
wills This he does in defending the tariff
tetich. de stands PAL on barring the
My quick and direct cut TO relief from
The yoke Of the trusts. He is opposed to
revising the tariff. which is the founda
ton on which the trusts are built ana
without which most OF them would tun1-
bic to pieces. SO Tar IS is concerned their
ability TO mulct the people by UBIQUITOUS
sxact!ors. To sum Up, the President has
attempted to sit on two stools at once.
has fallan between them, and In so doing
has made an exhibition which must dis
credit him in the eyes Of the public, both
as respects his sincerity and his judg-
mont.