Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-01-22

fortunate position with respect to all
past differences of opinion upon this
subject and can now join in dis
charging the solemn obligations of a
public trust more clearly defined than
ever before in the legislative history
of the state. We can unite III an eff
fort to give the people of Wisconsin
the most perfect statute which can be
framed in accordance with tie instruc
tions received from them
Combinations liz Restraint OF Trade.
On the subject Of trusts Governor
LaFollette has this to say
THE growth in number as we'll as
in magnitude Of combinations to Ell
nance profits through creation of
monopoly. OF by restraint of legitimate
trade has become recognized through
out the country as one of the chief
dangers to the rights of the individ-
ual as we'll as a constant menace to
the general prosperity Of the common
wealth. Conditions originating in the
strike by anthracite coal miners and
plainly maintained by combinations
which control coal mine owners.
transportation companies, and coal
dealers. merely emphasize and make
apparent to every mind the necessity
of remedy for these evils. That the
right to control organizations and
powers of it's own creation is inner
ent to government admits Of no ques-
ton. How to exercise this right with
out the adoption Of revolutionary
methods and a disregard Of rights Of
individuals and property heretofore
considered and protected by constitu-
tional law, is the question pressing for
answer. To assume that a remedy
cannot be provided in legal form and
manner is to admit the failure of gov
eminent in it's most important func-
lions. To assert that laws have been
framed adequate fully 20 meet the
emergency. either by national or state
legislation, is to assail the most APP
parent indisputable facts with sheer
presumption.
.Yet much has been accomplished
to limit the encrOachment by these
great combinations of capital and pow
er. through both federal and state
laws. without injury to any legiti-
mate enterprise or interest. Without
doubt much more will be accomplished
as the subtle methods and influences
employed become more generally ana
better understood, and united intelli-
gent Efforts are applied to the cor
rection of the abuses practiced. Mean
while, there can be no difference OF
opinion among honest men respecting
the duty of legislators and public OF.
fcials to enlist every power and to
exercise every right under the constl-
tuition to secure the largest possible
measure of relief from the dangers
presented and threatened.
Without Force or Effect.
1.-THE so-called antitrust law of
Wisconsin is an act without force or
effect under existing conditions. 1t
applies only to corporations organized
in Wisconsin. There are no trusts OF
the first class native to this state. Yet
few states perhaps suffer more direct
ly through the influence of these artl-
own. The state law gives us abso-
lutely no protection against corpora
tons organized outside the state, yet
depending for their profits upon tribute
exacted from the people of this and
other states by disregard or abuse OF
the common rights of our citizens uI,
der the common law.
I'm my judgment the coal famine
now existing throughout this state pre-
sents subject calling for prompt leg
islative inquiry, with full exercise OF
the large powers granted to legislative
committees. Such inquiry should be
conducted with a view to ascertaining
what, if any, combinations within this
state. or agencies of combinations or
ganized outside the state. compel thou
sands of our citizens to suffer from
lack of fuel, which is furnished in
abundance to other citizens, although
at prices unrea sonable and unwarrant-
ed under natural trade conditions, even
after making full allowance for neces-
sary shortage in coal on account of the
miners strike last year. If the citi-
zens of this state are being victimized
by conspira cies of men within as we'll
as without the state, I believe that
the powers of the state are ample to
enact and enforce laws to prevent repe-
tition of the offenses in future. even if
those who are guilty cannot be pun
ished under existing laws for present
wrOng-doing.
st renew the recommendation made
to the legislature two years ago for
an entire revision of the laws relating
to this subject, and the enactment of
such laws as shall promise most eff
cient remedy for the existing evils
without hampering legitimate individ-
ual enterprise, or taking from capital
reasonable returns to which it is fairly
entitled when invested in business In
consideration of the experience and ex-
amples afforded by legislation on this
subject in other states, desire to en-
phasize for your attention the impor-
lance of providing most specifically the
for,,, and manner for enforcement of