The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-28
"BilIy" MasOn's "On to Washington
Army Composed Only of N Score of
Maybury-LiiSe Men.
CONVENTION A BRIEF ONE
FEDERAL OFFICIALS CRITICISED
FOR NOT wIPING OUT TRUSTS,
And Resolutions Adopted Calling on
the President to Direct Enforce
ment of the Laws.

delegates from a number of large cities
were present and the keynote of the adj
dresses was criticism OF federal officials
for not enforcing the antitrust laws
against those responsible for the coal
shortage.
The convention was called to order by
Mayor Maybury, of Detroit, and Senator
Mason. of Illinois presided Mr.. Mason. in
his opening address, charged that the coal
dealers In the various cities have conspired
to keep down the supply and suggested
that government ownership or a receiver
ship of the mines might be a practicable
solution of the problem.
Representative Gaines, Of Tennessee, crit
icised the President and attorney general
and district courts for not enforcing the
Sherman antitrust law and the interstate
commerce law against the alleged coal
monopolies, and suggested that the people
of this city petition the district judges to
enforce the law, and said that If the laws
cannot be enforced I'VE can then see about
impeaching the officials who fail Of their
duty
Corporation Counsel Tarsney, of Detroit.
cited decisions to sustain his contention
that the coal problem might be settled by
the courts.
Mayor Maybury said the municipality of
Detroit had caused a slump in coal prices
there by selling 150 tons daily at reduced
prices to the poor.
DECLARATIONS.
The convention at it's evening session
adopted a series of resolutions calling for
remedial action by the proper officers of
the government from the existing condi-
tons. These resolutions are prefaced by a
preliminary statement and long series of
declarations. The preliminary statement
says the convention, consisting Of delegates
from nineteen States and the District of
Columbia, disclaims any official character
or desire or purpose to encroach upon the
official prerogatives of the President, the
Congress or any department of the govern
ment or duly authorized commission. 1t
appreciates, however, that 1t is exercising
the right possessed by all American citi-
on whom the duty and responsibility rests,
to see that the laws of the land are en-
forced and obeyed. and to restrain and
punish attractions thereof
The declarations set out that 1t is the
judgment and opinion of the convention
that contracts and combines in the form
OF trusts and conspiracies exist in restraint
OF trade and restriction OF competition, and
especially in the production, transportation,
distribution and sale of coal; that COM
binations, agreements and conspiracies
companies whereby special rates, rebates
and drawbacks are allowed to some ship
perS which are denied to others: that pools
and combinations exist for the purpose and
with the effect of restricting competition
and enhancing the cost of fuel: that such
contracts constitute open and palpable
violation of the interstate-commerce act,
and are in violation of the antitrust act;
that adequate power is vested in the United
States courts to restrain such unlawful
and criminal doings and practices. and to
dissolve such illegal combinations; that it
Is made the duty of the district attorneys
and the direction of the attorney general
to institute legal proceedings to compel a
proper observance of the law and to re-
strain such unlawful combinations, and to
cause all persons violating these laws to
be indicted and punished. and deplores the
power and authority in them vested in the
enforcement of said laws. The resolutions
adopted follow this preliminary statement
and are as follows:
THE RESOLUTIONS.
Resolved, That the President, whose
duty ii is to see that the laws of the United
States are faithfully executed, be, and is
hereby respectfully requested to direct the
attorney general and all other proper off,
Gals to at once cause to be instituted civil
proceedings in the several Circuit Courts of
the United States where such attractions
exist to restrain such illegal combinations
and conspiracies and strictly enforce the
several remedies in said acts of Congress
above cited, and that the President direct
the said attorney general to cause to be
summoned grand juries in the several jul
dicial districts where said unlawful acts
and doings are perpetrated and cause to be
indicted and punished in the manner pro-
vided by law, all managers. directors, off,
GERS and other persons whatsoever found
guilty OF violation of the law.
Resolved, That the President be request
ed to direct the Interstate-commerce Com
mission to inquire at once into the reason
ablenesS OF the rates or transportation
charged by the coal transportation COM
panies and concerning any rebates draw
backs or Determinations allowed or per-
mitted by such transportation companies;
also to cause said commission to make ap-
plication to the courts for injunctions to re-
strain further exercise Of such business.
Resolved, That 1t is the sense Of this
convention that If such proceedings be in
stituted and such laws enforced immediate
relief will be had from the existing evils
resulting from such unlawful acts; that
such combinations will at once dissolve,
normal conditions of production. transpor-
tation and distribution will be restored and
healthful competition revived, cheaper and
more abundant supplies of commodities
necessary to life will be obtained, conf
dence in official integrity will return and
the American people will be saved from the
humiliation and loss of confidence resulting
from lax or nonenforced solemn vows en-
acted for the common good and general
welfare Of the whole people"
An amendment to the resolutions was
adopted providing for the appointment of a
committee of five persons whose duty IT
shall be 10 secure and present to the at
torney general from time TO time evidence
| OF any acts apparently in violation OF the
antitrust act and the interstate-commerce
| act. This finished the work of the conyen-
| ton and adjournment was taken subject