The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-30

member that the government has never
invoked the first section OF the Sherman
Antitrust law. which contains the GRIM
inal clause, and that its efficacy to pre-
vent and restrain trusts has never been
tested. The Antitrust league has p-ti-
toned the attorney general TO attack the
trusts criminally, but with no success.
Publicity is recommended by many Re-
publican speakers, and publicity would
undoubtedly do some good, although
think the shadow OF jail would do more.
But why have we not publicity after all
these years? | will tell you why in one
instance On the 18th of last February
In the United States senate Mr.. Dubois
of Idaho offered an amendment TO the Dill
TO provide a permanent census office.
which amendment provided for true ana
exact reports from all the incorporated
trusts OF the country regarding their busi-
ness i'm detail.
This amendment was. as Senator Du-
bois said. simply carrying out the sug-
gestion OF President Roosevelt in his mes-
sage to congress upon that subject but
IL was defeated by party vote, 81 ke-
pubicans voting against II and II Demo-
Gratis voting for IL; not a single Republi-
can voted for IL. not single Democrat
voted against IL. So you see, gentlemen,
why we have not publicity.
MOIHEtt Of' ALL TRUSTS.
But there is at any rate a remedy,
which In some cases would be, believe
eminently successful. The mother OF all
trusts is The customs tariff BILL said the
president of the sugar trust three years
ago. and the Dingley tariff act was in
tentionally or not a copartnership agree
ment between the Republican party and
the trusts. Immediately after it's pas
sage the increase in number and capi-
talization began. until we have today 2S1
industrial combinations or trusts, having
total capitalization OF S6,672, i4S S51. or
these, l6S enjoy direct tariff benefits and
have a capitalization OF s5,096, ,sS4 012. The
proportion OF trusts enjoying tariff Bone
fits is "a per cent.
Dissolve the partnership between the
government and the trust No longer tax
American enterprise $3.50 on every ton
of steel rails brought into the country
abolish the duties on all trust made goods.
Let the organizations who have us a our
laws to build up business OF whicn they
will not give the American pc eoole The
benefit be deprived of their protection.
Take the duty Off of beef. now oelts
a pound on dressed beef, and the lnpor-
tation of cattle from Canada and the Ar
gentine republic will lower the piice.
But IL IL said that all this will be done
by the Republicans That there are Re-
publicans who honestly advocate a re-
vision Of the tariff, l gladly admit Crly
this week Senator Hoar admitted X was
needed
II would be glad IL thought that the
leaders OF that party intended doing 1t.
but unfortunately we know too well that
we cannot expect II. Take the organizers
and the controllers OF the great trusts
and name them over and you Will find
they are the men who furnish the funds
for he They "a
all know, Republicans. and II s uSel>ss
to expect from that party any honest re-
vision OF the tariff.
1.-THE Republican party has been IL
complete control of the Federal govern
ment since 1897. and during TIM. line
illegal combination OF capital has fol:irn-
ed within the country as never before In
the world Has any legislation been pass
ed by them TO control these trusts!
THE PRESIDENT MOVES.
The president moves after congress as
adjourned and tells us that We must ilake
n constitutional amendment; doubtless lie
was so informed. but that has b"eG
throy-n overheard, and we are now told
that the powers of present rnti tnrif Ia v
haze not been exhausted. Then they
must admit that with plenty OF law on
hand they have failed to apply II. The
activity OF the Republican party against
monopoly is an ante election cry with the
leaders. Ii Is only by compelling them
TO fear for 1904 that any rigorous action
can be expected.
81 wish TO be very frank In my own
statements OF my position IL am elect
I'd will favor the abolition of the tarin
on free raw materials and such reduc-
ton on all trust-made goods as will Sc
cure the sale of their products In Ameri-
ca at as low rate as they are giving
the foreign market. 1 will support any
honest measure for revision OF the tar
iff. | will vote for any amendments that
may seem necessary to make effective
the present Antitrust law.
II freely admit that any tarin revision
must be undertaken in conservative
spirit. recognizing the industries that
have honestly grown up under IL. but
believe that the time has come for this
nation TO cease to help those industries
whose greed is making every family In
the country pay tribute upon over-capi-
talized combination carried on In viola
tion of the spirit II not the letter OF the
law.
II have carefully read the addresses OF
my friend. the present representative
from this district | hoped TO find there
some statement from him OF his views
on these questions. questions which are
discussed the length and breadth or the
land by men OF both parties. 1 read his
speech at the state convention. lt was
not, he said. his purpose TO discuss ma
tionai questions there.
ATMOSPHERIC FoGGY.
yesterday he spoke again at the free
lunch which our Republican friends are
serving daily 20 the thinking voters OF
Providence. Again I hoped to find some
words from him which would make his
position clear Words were there. gentle
men. but the atmosphere remained as he
described it In his nrst speech. somewhat
foggy. From Mr.. Bulls speech no man
would suppose that his own party was
rent In twain over = question which Will
not down. lie takes no position upon any
remedy for the trusts and gives forth no
statement OF position upon the tariT. on