The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-01
Urgent Questions.

I, The fifty seventh congress- which meets
to-day in closing session, has three most
important SUBJECTS above all others mo-
mentous, to meet with the spirit Of prac-
tical craftsmanship and patriotism. These
relate to trusts, tariff revision and reci-
procity. A candid consideration of the re-
suggests that the country, returned a re-
publican majority: Of thirty in the house
of the fifty eighth congress as an indi-
cation that it wished that party to carry
out those republican policies Of trust regu.
lation. tariff revision and reciprocity trea-
ties with Cuba and other countries.
. Yet, on the Threshold of the closing
session Of the present congress, when the
public will has been clearly indicated and
the members have an opportunity to act
on the suggestion Of public sentiment,
there appears to be a large amount Of
indecision on the part Of those who have
been recognised as favorin9 the legisla-
ton indicated. There is a considerable
element fatty opposed to antitrust legis-
lation which means something, and who
propose to defeat such legislation or to
weaken it 30 that it will be practically
worthless as a curb and regulator of
trusts. ---'
There are likewise those who swear by
the hoary beard Of monopoly that there
shall be no tariff revision at this session,
and who do not even accept; the presidents
resort to the ancient method Of organic
ing a tariff commission, whose labors will
carry the subject over to 1908. y .. +.
Cuban reciprocity is opposed by the.
same element which, opposed it last win
ter, and, If the Cubans do not care to ac-
cent the liberal terms offered by the gov
eminent through General Bliss, it is not
likely that anything will be done by con-
gress. ..--- -
There remains some assurance, how
ever, that the opposition to trust legis-
lation will not avail against the pFesi-
dents reconnme ndations for decisive ac-
ton. The democrats cannot oppose the
antitrust legislation because they have
shouted for such action until they are
hoarse, and will stultify themselves by
their inconsistency, They have tried to
catch the republicans bathing and run
away with their clothes, but they have
failed . The republicans initiated anti
trust legislation and stand on guard, and
they will. as the president has said, find
solution and right solution; found 1t
Will be-
! The presidents position is unassAilable
and meets with public approval if It is
not Endorsed by the benefciaries Of mo-
nopolistic greed. Corporations and joint
stock associations, trading beyond their
own states, must be required to do bIsi-
ness everywhere on the same terms and
conditions, with no discrimination in
prices or preferential service; transporta-
ton companies to keep the channels OF
traffic open to all on the same terms.
Food supplying corporations must organ
ize their business so that public needs
shall be regularly and reasonably supplied;
visitorial supervision must be established
to report at intervals on the conduct OF
corporate operations and secrecy mus. be
abolished.
In other words, there must be publicity
and scrutiny. It is difficult to see how
this program can be strengthened raticn,
4 ally. It may not please those who desire
to abolish the trusts but it ought Il
meet the approval Of every man who be.
iievcs that combinations and centralizatior
OF capital should be supervised and con
trolled within reasonable limitations.
The result Of the voting in Noyen1bel
did not mean that the country was will
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