The Topeka state journal., 1903-01-12


There was considerable divergence OF
opinion at first as to the most effective
method to be pursued to obtain relief
from the present congestion and exorbi-
made that an open letter be Addressed T
to President Roosevelt, that conven-
ton be called in Detroit or Chicago or /
that congress be appealed to for action /
The proposal to -'mOve on Washington I
in body" finally prevailed, it being I
agreed that the enforcement of existing /
laws offered adequate means of relief
The permanent committee of the De-
troit coal convention consists Of:
W. C Maybury, mayor of Detroit.
Rev. R A White. Chicago.
2. N. Lahiff, Chicago.
United States Senator Mason.
Judge Edward f. Dunno, Chicago.
Father R. B. Condor, Reedsburg.
Wis
T. E. Tarsney, corporation counsel OF
W. c. P. Breckinridge Of Kentucky.
George Alexander of Providence. r. /.
Judge W. A. Babcock of Cleveland.
All were present save Messrs. Breck-
inridge, Babcock and Alexander.
Following an executive session in the
afternoon, Mayor Maybury explained
the action of the conference in formal
statement.
1T was the order of the convention
at Detroit" he said. that this commit
tee should call the convention to reas-
Semble whenever such course was
y
committee is that the convention be re
convened. The question of a place was
discussed and it was decided to select
Washington, the gathering to assemble
at the earliest practicable date.
In addition the governors Of all the
states and the mayors of all the larger
cities viii be asked to designate repre-
sentatives to attend the convention, it
being the desire to make the personnel
of the gathering as widely representa-
tive as possible.
THE question of anticipating the
work Of the anthracite coal strike COM
mission was considered The commit
tee decided that the coming convention
| would not in any way conflict with the
duties or tasks of the arbitration hoard.
The work of that commission relates to
events of the past. We have to deal
with an emergency OF the present We
now confront q scarcity of coal and an
oppression exercised by exorbitant
prices, forming a situation little short
in gravity OF an absolute nonproduc-
ton of coal The prices now charged
for coal are practically prohibitive and
/ a burden is im9osed on all classes
The poor face great suffering, if rot
death, from this condition of affairs We
nope our movement Will arouse the IN
terest and command the cooperation of
| all those inspired by the desire to see
that none suffers injustice.
The movements of the Goa, strike ar
bltratlOn commission are slow. We have
already observed the elapse of a long
interval since that body assumed its
I duties and there is prospect Of a still
longer engagement with it's tasks be-
fore the commission viii be ready 10 re-
port. 1t is our purpose to make the
consensus of popular opinion felt in
quarters where that consensus will
evoke immediate action of a character
that will relieve the present situation.
This movement, divorced as it is
from all relationship to politics, we be-
lieve viii command the respect and at
tention of all who seek to prevent hu-
man suffering. Those gentlemen who
sympathize with the movement from
this standpoint of humanitarianism
are invited to attend the convention at
Washington with no further credential
? than their sympathy
l In conclusion Mayor Maybury ex-
planned that the date for the gathering
at the national capital would be fixed
T according to the developments that
: telegraphic correspondence would
: evoke with relation to the convenience
J of those expected to take a prominent
t part in the convention
] The speeches made by Senator Mason,
2 Mr.. Tarsney. Rev r. A White and
Mayor Maybury indicated that the con-
e vention at Washington would be de-
f voted largely to the presentation OF
= charges that Attorney General Knox has
A failed to grant the relief that the laws
e make possible. In fact, more than
0 three hours Of speech making was con-
cerned chiefly with arguments to that
c effect
! 'sThe time has come when we must
s talk plainly and talk from the shoul-
f der" Mr.. Tarsney said. There are
I duties which the attorney general has
q / to perform and the performance OF
which would give the relief now Sc
. eagerly sought. 7 noticed the other
? day that the attorney general asked
: for supplemental legislation in order
= that the machinery OF the government
+ might proceed against combinations in
restraint of trade IF the learned at
he will see that it already contains the
he asks"
The speaker then cited provisions Of the
original interstate commerce act the Sher-
man antitrust law and the amendments tc
those measures
I'VE have seen no EFFORT on the part OF
the attorney general to enforce these posi-
) tive provisions Of the law he continued
IF It be true that a contract or an TN
+ derstandiug exists in restraint Of trade OF
4 / has there been no recourse to section q
y the act Of 1892 Why have not the fedora
district attorneys or the attorney general
/ under whose direction they should proceed
invoked the provisions Of this act2
LAW PROVIDES AMPLE REMEDY
Y "A summary remedy is already provided
y for the existing conditions OF affairs ..
d the interstate commerce act, the Sher
;, i man antitrust law and the amendment
- thereto. That eminent jurist, Senator Hoar
: in order to hurry Up this n machinery Of II
= law. has introduced q bill to give prece
dence to actions brought under the stat
utes covering these cases
If Containing no lead, lime or poison
r Skin Powder is safest for you
t. = 7o1