The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-04
Republicans VIII Present Carefully
Known Facts of the Situation.
PLANS FOR REMEDIAL LAWS
CURB TO BE PUT ON MoNOPOLIEs
INJURIOUS To THE PEOPLE.
No Agitation That Would Injure Le-
gitimnte Industrial or Commercial
Progress-WOrk of the Past.
Special to the indianapolis Journal

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Aug. 3-The treatment
given trusts in the Republican campaign
textbook. Just issued for campaign use, is
moderate and fair TO the point Of being
Courageous The usual political talk about
trusts for campaign use is vigorous, prac-
tically assault and battery. Representative
Overstreet. secretary OF the Republican
can1N 1Nk6n committee who has had charge
OF the preparation OF the textbook has
taken cool and business-like view OF the
trust question Inasmuch as the textbooks
are the handbooks of the speakers for the
campaigns and are intended 10 systematic
the arguments to be used, it Is a fair infer
ence that the Republicans in the fall con-
gressional campaign will not resort TO anti
trust agitation but deal frankly with vex-
atious problem. giving reasonable promises
IN the way OF relief, and Offering TO do as
much as possible TO curb the power Of the
trusts without hurting other industries.
This is very different from the Democratic
plan of campaign being worked out under
Chairman Griggs, who proposes the whole
sale determination of all trusts. Under the
head of Attitude OF the Two Parties is
10 be found this paragraph in the book
about trusts:
The attitude OF the two great parties on
TIE trust question is clearly defined. That
OF the Democratic party looks TO constant
sCftation. with no restrictive legislation;
| that OF the Republican party to such re-
strictfoa as will prevent arbitrary advance
I'm prices or reduction in wages through e1-
elusive control. but not the destruction by
legislation or injury by fictitious agitation
OF legitimate enterprises through great
manufacturing systems by which produc-
tion is cheapened. prices of manufactures
reduced. and permanency OF employment
assured"
The text book points out that the Demo
crats bc~an their investigation Of the trust
question in the Fiftieth Congress, when a
cor1rittece examined 100 witnesses and
took 600 pages of testimony. but made no
recommended tions because no agreement
could he reached 1t says the Republican
party has recognized the limitations of the
federal legislature in dealing with institu-
tions which arc of exclusive state origin.
anu not Dire 10 any legislation by Congress
or executive act in the administration of
federal laws. The only power the federal
government has 10 reach these trusts or
corporations Is where they cross the State
lines and touch interstate or foreign COM
rrerce The Republican party has tried to
enact laws that would prevent the trusts
interfering with interstate commerce.
FIRST ANTITRUST PLANK.
William Mckinley. as chairman of the
Republican national convention of 1883,
came forward with the first antitrust
plank. This recorded approval of efforts
OF States and of federal government 10
prevent undue discrimination between
States. unjust transportation rates between
States and unequal burdens in delivering
those products controlled by large capital
istic organizations. President Harrison was
elected on this plank and called attention
TO IL in his MESA ge to Congress The di-
rect result was the Sherman antitrust law,
the most important legislation of its kind
ever cOnsummated. When William Nc
kinley, as a member of the committee on
rules, reported 10 the House May l,
1890. a special rule for the immediate con-
siderstion Of this antitrust bill the Demo-
Gratis opposed him and voted against the
rule. Carlisle. of Kentucky: Bland of
Missouri Springer, of Illinois; Richardson
OF Tennessee; McCreary, of Kentucky. and
Wilson, OF West Virginia, opposed the rule
and the bill as the wrong way to deal with
trusts.
Representative Wilson opposed the bill be-
cause IL originated number of new crimes
and he said IL would damage the course of
trade among the States and bring doubt
and uncertainty in many lines of business
both OF production and distribution in the
country. He said IL not only seriously af-
fected the business and prosperity of the
country. but the rights and liberties OF the
people He laughed at the remedial pro-
posed by beginning the regulation of com
lrerce between States, preventing discrinn
ination. and offered free trade as the proper
trust cure. Tariff reduction is the position
taken by the Democrats of this dav as a
remedy for the evils OF trust reigns and
various commercial monOpOies. There has
been but little change in the attitudes of
the two parties in a dozen years That is
II they had TO be judged by legislative an
pication and not by random talk Ii is
F.r nj hat in -
ocrats will stand for lower tarfff as a
means OF dealing with the trusts The text-
book points out that the Republican policy
has been steady progression along the line
inaugurated since the Sherman anti-trust
act was passed. on the part of the IeeisIa
turs 10 md means OF strengthening this act
ano on the part OF the executive i'm enforc-
ing IL Important cases are cited II quotes
from the message of President Roosevelt
showing his recommendations along this
line.
RELATIVE PRODUCTION.
II is declared that trusts have occupied
larger place in public discussion than in
actual business life. According 10 the CEN
sus report the value OF all manufacturing
products last year was s15.O44. 4OO143. while
the value OF articles made by trusts were
81. .667 350.94l. or l2S per cent OF the whole
This computation showed 1Ss trusts with a
valuation OF $500. .S5l. .74O In the matter Of
food supplies. agricultural products not be-
ing included unless In a manufactured
state. II Is shown that s. 227. .702 OlO is the
total value and that OF this S2S5 qf1 0gg is
the value or the share made by the trusts
This again Is II per cent. OF the total. i'm
iron and steel. &.4; I'm tobacco. 262 and i'm
metals other than steel and iron "a: and
IN liquors and other beverages. p per cent
In this connection IL is interesting to know
that the drink bill OF the United States
amounted last year 10 S425 504 .l67, OF which
tss. .ss2.Z74 was paid 10 the trusts. This in