The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1902-11-27


dence, in connection with the fact
that as soon as the independents"
were crushed, the trust would have
complete monopoly, ought to be
enough TO cause the president to move.
But, suppose this evidence is not
sufficient to cause a grand jury to in
dict, or, if sufficient to cause a grand
jury to indict, it is not sufficient to
move a petit jury to convict, it Is GER
tainly sufficient to cause the president
to commence civil suit in equity for
the purpose of putting the defendants
under oath and of getting more evil
dence. The fourth section of the law
which gives the circuit courts of the
United States jurisdiction for the pur-
pose of preventing and restraining
violations of this act" and which au-
thorizes the president to order the at
torrey general to commence such suits,
can be used for getting additional or
sufficient evidence for an indictment
by grand jury and conviction by petit
jury. 1t is as much the duty of the
president to hunt for, evidence by
means Of suit in equity as it is to
use the evidence for trial and convic-
ton in the ordinary criminal proceed
ure by grand and petit jury. And
this evidence cannot only be used by
the president in criminal proceed
ing, but for the purpose of enjoining
and restraining the parties from going
further with their, monopolistic busi-
ness. The right to commence suit
fn <fr
an injunction, carries with it, inciden-
tally, the right to have a temporary
and, perhaps, a permanent receiver ap-
pointed. We have plenty of precedents
for injunctions against labor unions,
and 1t is high time to have precedents
for injunctions against such combina-
tions as the steel trust, il 1t proposes
to monopolize the whole steel business
of the country and to do it by putting
UP and putting down prices.
There is not much disposition, here,
to interfere with the great aggrega-
tions of capital, merely because they
are great aggregations, but when they
attempt to break down small con-
Germs by lowering prices or to fleece
the public by raising prices inordinate-
ly, then we all wake up. and the news
papers are obliged to follow suit or
lo-e their circulation. This is so, es-
pecially when prices are raised, OPP
pressively against consumers. The
meat combine was an illustration Of
this. We could stand idly by and see
the business of our little butchers
here in the east destroyed by the COM
petition of the great butchers of the
west, but when it came to paying two
prices for every pound of meat, then
We all found out that a meat monop-
oily is a crime and that it can be pun
ished as such-not only by the laws
of the several states, but by the laws
of the United States as well.
The Washington special correspon-
dent of the New York World wrote
November 9 as follows:
President Roosevelt has cast Wall
street overheard, hook, line and sinker.
1t is stated on good authority that he
has decided to ignore the big financial
interests, typified by ]. P. Morgan &
Co., and similar organizations, and to
| advocate such policies as will benefit
the people and enhance his popularity
with the masses.
His plans are to be accomplished
without any reduction of the present
tariff. When tariff revision comes lt
1t to be placed on a strictly scientific
basis and handled by tariff commits
sion.
My aim.' the president said last
lex to a representative of one of the
biggest houses in Wall street, will be
to benefit the people without disturb
ing commercial conditions T.
ITO that end radical laws to prevent
railroad combinations and against or
CARNATIONS formed to control food,
fuel and clothing products will be rec
commended to congress by the presi-
dent. Every effort will be made to
have laws embodying the presidents
recommendation passed at the coming
session.
'Tn addition the president will ask
Attorney General Knox to institute
additional suits to prevent gigantic
combinations of railroad lines. The
attorney general is now considering a
number of combinations with a view
of bringing legal action against them.
"Tha close advisers of the president