Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-01-10
after declining to submit to jurisdie>a
lion in the state court.
FACTS SHOWN BY EVIDENCE -
IN THE FEDERAL cnlfRT

FACTS SHOWN BY EVIDENCE =
IN THE FEDERAL COURT.
A large amount of Testimony has al-
| ready been taken in the federal court
| Ind this testimony shows, among other
things, that the stockholders of the
Northern Pacific Railway compan1
| have already exchanged more than 90
| per cent of the total capital stock OF
| that company for the stock of tha
Northern Securities company. It also
lhows that the stockholders of the
Ereat Northern Railway company have
| llready exchanged 80 per cent of tho
Total capital stock of that company for
| the stock of the Northern Securities
company; thus giving the latter COM
fany complete control of the property
Ind lines of railway of both the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific Rail-
way companies. The testimony also
shows that during January, 1902. q
Joint circular was issued by the officers
Df the two railway companies, with
drawing an equalizing or competitive
rate between junction points in this
state where the distance was greater
by one route than the other, and re-
luiring the freight to be shipped by
the shorter route unless the shipper
was willing to pay distance tariff or
higher rates by the other road. I refer
to this only for the purpose of showing
the effectiveness of this consolidation
| The executive officers of the state
are doing, and will continue to do, all
In their power to defeat this consolida-
| ton. 1t may be that the courts will
decide that the laws of one state can
| vic INV of
corporation organized under the laws
Of another state; if so, all the benefits
Of the more perfect union," so earnest
ly sought by the trainers of the con-
stitution ard SO much desired by all
law abiding citizens, will not be real
lied. l have an abiding faith, how
ever, that the laws of this state will
be sustained, and that the attempt to
evade them in the manner stated will
| be defeated.
The law of this state prohibiting the
consolidation of competing lines OF
railway is declaratory of wise public
policy and any effort to weaken or un-
Germine it should be defeated, and
every effort put forth to enforce and
strengthen it's provisions.
We hear much these days of good
and bad trusts. l do not wish to
take any of your time in discussing
the fallacy or correctness of such q
term. | do assert, however, without
hesitation, that no trust or cOmblna=
ton is more dangerous to the public
welfare than combination of trans
po1tation companies, or facilities,
which either has the power to or docs
6tifle or remove competition in freight
and passenger business.
1t seems to me that few, if any. COM
binatiOns of trusts can be successfully
maintained unless they are connected
with, or in such position that they
can control the avenues and means e
transportation.
TO PROMOTE MONOPOLY
AND sTiFLE COMPETITION
This Northern Securities company Is
the most ingenious scheme ever
brought into existence to promote
transportation monopoly and sti1a
competition.
If you agree with my conclusion in
this matter you will use every menaa
in your power to strengthen and aid
the state in it's efforts to enforce the
laws already upon it's statute books
against such consolidation; and pass
any additional legislation which you
may be advised by the legal represent
tatives of this state is necessary to
accomplish this object. Every well
wisher of both the state and nation is
seriously considering the complex
problems involved in the solution OF
the so-called Trust Question:" The
first great duty of corporation
through which such consultations as
are called trusts" are made possible,
is to obey all constitutional laws
adopted for their regulation or control !,
whether such regulation or control can
be successfully accomplished through
national legislation is a question about
which there seems to be much differ
ence Of opinion. Each state, however,
can very largely regulate and control
| corporations OF it's own creation. It
thus becomes the imperative duty Of
this state to do what it can and to
adopt such additional laws as may ia
necessary for the accomplishment of
this object.
l call your attention to the condition
of the suit of the state against tha
Northern Securities company and the
two railway companies involved, 50
that you may be informed of the situa-
ton and pass such legislation as I am
informed the attorney general Will
submit to you, provided it meets with
your views, looking toward the re.
moval of some of the obstacles en-,
countered by the state in its suit.
Our state is engaged in a great legal
battle to protect our rights. The state
Of Washington has a suit pending in
the supreme court of the United
States, and by order of the president
Attorney General Knox has COM
menced action looking to the dissolu.
ton of this company. Realizing the
power of corporate wealth congress
has appropriated 100000 to aid the
legal officers of the government in
prosecuting this and all other illegal
trusts and unlawful combinations.
Whatever the result there need be ne
apprehension, for there is a powea
greater than corporate wealth; greater
than even the supreme court of the
United States, and that is the power
of the American people, and when once
aroused no evil can resist this mighty
force.
Before closing I desire to commend