The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-05-08
Trust Threats Fail to Swerve
Roosevelt From Path
of Duty.
H6 WILL ENFORCE LhWS
If Statutes Are ViOl0ted by Combines,
Offenders VIII Be Punished Re
gdrdleSS of Politics.

WASHINGTON, May 2-Attor-
ney General Knox's rebuke to the
New York gentlemen who sought
to arrange for a conference be
tween the "beef barons" and the
law officers of the government,
clearly represents the attitude of
the administration. Neither the
president nor the attorney gener-
al has invited the beef barons or
the representatives of any other
trust or combination whose busl-
ness methods are under investi-
CATION to conference The at
tempt to create that impression
comes from circles entirely out
side the administration.
President Roosevelt has very
clear idea as to the dignity Of his
office. and as the executive he is
consulting only the attorney gen.
eral and his advisers in the de-
partment of Justice in matters of
such prosecutions. He followed
that course in regard to the
Northern railway merger and
also in regard to the alleged beef
combine. He did not consult
J. Pierpont Morgan as to whom
or how or where the proceedings
should be begun against the
Northern securities company.
He consulted the attorney gener-
al. and when that official was
satisfied that such a suit should
be brought it was publicly an
ounced that it would be done.
He did not notify friends Of Mr.
Morgan and Mr.. Hill two days
inadvance of the public announce
ment, that they might be pre-
pared to protect their stock in
the market and avert panic.
He followed the same course
regarding the inquiry into the
methods of the beef combine. He
followed the same course regard
ing the combination of the At
lantic steamship lines which Mr..
Morgan is now perfecting in
London. The lawyers of the
department of justice are watch
ing developments IN this matter,
for it's recognized as clearly in
defiance of the antitrust law.
The only question is as to wheth-
er Mr.. Morgan will be able to
make his organization in such
way as to avoid the laws of this
country. He can do this by
making his combination under
English law.
The administration has faith
in the law and confidence in it's
ability to enforce it. The attor-
ney general believes the courts
will sustain his position regard
ing the Northern Securities
company. The bill of complaint
against that company was filed
at St Paul on March 10, nearly
two months ago, and while Mr..
Morgan's attorney professed a
readiness to have the suit brought
to an early hearing. they have
not yet filed their answer and it
is understood they will not until
about June /, so as to delay the
hearing until the fall term of
court They are seeking delay
while the government is ready to
proceed.
In the meantime there are con-
slant insinuations that the bust
ness interests of the country will
resent MISUNDERSTANDING assault
upon these interests. President
Roosevelt is not to be intimidat-
ed by such insinuations. He has
moved cautiously though fear
lessly in this matter, and has not
directed or permitted any suits
to be brought until the attorney
general had satisfied himself that
they were demanded in executing
the law. There has been no trust
batting by the administration, to
create dissatisfaction with the
trusts or court favor with the
people who fear these combina.
tiOnS.
The whole campaign against
the trusts has been in the line of
executive duty, and the president
and his cabinet are not to be