The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-09
CREAM of the SPECIALS
TEST FOR PRESIDENT.
Walter Wellman Sees in Coal Trust
 Opportunity to Carry out Policy.
Walter Wellman's Washington Special to I

water WellmanS WaSnlnRtOn Specldl tO
 Chicago Record-Herald.
 President Roosevelt declared in his Fourth of July speech at Pittsburg that it was his purpose to enforce the anti trust law without fear or favor, and he paid Attorney-Ge Knox a high com pliment by adding that as long as that gentleman was at the head of the De- partment of Justice there need be no fear of the antitrust law becoming dead letter. All of which sounds very well.
 But if President Roosevelt wishes to give the best possible proof of his sin cerity and of the merits of his Attorney General, he will see to it that prosecu- ton of the anthracite coal trust is net blocked by a lawyers pretexts.
 Mir Roosevelt said in his Pittsburg speech that it was deeds. not words, that counted And he has one of the best chances in the world to show that he practices what he breaches. If he or ders prosecution of the anthracite trust that will be deed. If he fail to do so the country will come to the conclusion that he is trying to get credit through the uttcrance of words not followed by acts It Is believed here that the Prcsi- dent is in earnest in his desire to enforce the law. He has already asked that d preliminary investigation of the anthra- cite trust be made, and if he were to have his way. uninfiuenced by those 1T less earnestness and more prudence. he would follow investigation with prosecu- tion. 's
 But in this matter the President is kedged about with discouragements. A torney- General Knox for some reason Is opposed to prosecution of the coal trust. He does not deny that there is such a trust, that it is violating the law and encroachiDg upon the public intcrests in many ways but he is raising lawyer 5 excuses for not taking that trust into court vhenever the President mentions the subject to him the Attorney-Generil II has an excuse or a word of discourage ment or poStpcnement to offer. The real reasons why he is opposed to prescott ton of the coal. trust have not been made public. They are supposed to be something more than lawyers caution.
 But President Roosevelt is on trial in this affair. His sincerity is not ques- toned. No one sipposcs he is trying to gain credit as an opponent of monopoly trusts while. refusing to order proseru- ton of one of the worst of the trust monopolics. The trouble does not lie there. It lies ir part in the unexplained lnwillingness of tile Attorney General to go into court and ask. for an injunction rgainst the coal combination. and in the influence which he is able to exert upon his chief.
 Is President Roosevelt lfraid of J. Pier pont Morgan? This Is another phase of the inqury Is the President timid about ordering d prosecution of the coal trust because the mightiest financier in Amefl- ca is behind that combination? Does Mr Roosevelt hold bis hand bee Iuse he fears that MT. Morgan may turn OF him and try to prevent his nomination and re- election to the Presidency?
 No one likes to think that Theodore Roosevelt is showing the white feather It Is not like him. No one likes even to suspect that political expediency, very great desire to be nominated and to aVold stirring up powerful enemieSs in Wan Street, are together undermining the courage of the most courageous Presi' dent we have seen in the White House In many years. But if MT. Roosevelt goes through the country making speeches which amount to an approval Of hls O. administration because 1t dares to entof the law and batting his Attorney-Gehe on the hack because he is such a fearl and conscientious trust buster, and ming applause with his aphorisms ah' the value of deeds and the worthlessn of words, prosecution of the anthrac trust must inevitably follow,
 To say all these things and fhen tall rrosecute a notorious laW-breaktng co hination because the most powerful ca tal;st in America is behind 1t, becat MT Roosevelt wants another term in | White House. is simply impossible. those reasons those who best know a most admire the President arc connde his PittsburE speech may be regarded inc forerrnner of a vigorous prosecutl Of the anthracite monopoly.
 LAYS WIRES FOR 1904.