The Van Buren press., 1903-01-17
HE WANTS FACTS.
Senator James X. Jones Digs Up the
Trusts aud Causes Stir in
Republican Ranks.

TRUSTS anu tNUsts sur III
Republican Ranks.
The New York American and
Journal on January 9th published a
splendid full-length picture Of" Senator
James X. Jones Of Arkansas making
his earnest demand for the facts called
for in the proceedings instituted by
VIM Il. Hearst
1t also features upon its first page the
following pointed extract from the sem
.ator 5 address;
IF it is Il fact that Mr.. Hearst has
furnished to the attorney general evil
deuce which will prove that certain
railroad companies engaged in inter
state commerce have entered into an
illegal conspiracy for the purpose of
controlling the coal trade and suppress
ing the use of coal, it is IA fact that
ought to be known to the senate and to
the people.
The resolution introduced by Senator
Jones is as follows;
Whereas, On October 4th, 1902, n
sworn statement or petition was filed
with the attorney-general of the United
States by William Randolph Hearst,
charging the existence of an Illegal
combination or conspiracy among rail
roads therein named engaged in inter
state commerce, the tendency and pur-
pose of which was the establishment Of
II monopoly in the business OF trans
porting and selling anthracite coal and
and in connection with said petition
request was made for permission to
present evidence establishing the exist
.ence of such combination
Whereas, Said petition was re-
ferred to the United States district at
torney for the southern district of New
York with instructions to receive the
evidence proifered and report the same
to the department of Justice
whereas, A protracted interval has
elapsed since the filing of said petition
and the submission of such evidence;
Resolved, That the attorney general
be, and he ia hereby, directed to trans
init to the senate the evidence presented
by said petitioner, together with re-
port thereon by said United States dis
trict attorney.
Below are extracts from Senator
Jones address on the resolution, upon
which he held spirited colloquy with
ySpooner of Wisconsin:
MIR. President, do not see how ask
ing for Information from the attorney
general can in any sense be considered
a reflection on that officer or on the dis
charge Of his duties,
1.-The statement has been published
all over the country that the Information
was furnished to the department. of
justice that Mr., Hearst had in his hands
evidence which would prove that Ger
tain railroad companies engaged In
Interstate commerce had entered into
an illegal combination in connection
with the coal business.
1.-The senator from Massachusetts
(Mr Lodge told the senate this morn.
that there ia condition of suffering in
New England, that the people Of New
England today, the manufacturers and
the poor people, were absolutely suffer
Ing for the want OF sufficient coal
supply,
"While agree with the senator
from Massachusetts In having conf
.dence In the attorney general, | have
confidence also In the senate of the
United States, and | believe 1t can do
no harm TO the public interests for this
body to know the truth as to charges Of
this kind,
III the evidence has been presented
which will satisfy these men that rail-
road companies have engaged in this
conspiracy it is time the senate Of the
United States should know the fact, and
there is no reason why 1t should be sup
pressed aud held In the hands OF one
officer Of the government,
II cannot speak for Mr. Hearst, |
.am speaking for myself, | should like
TO know, in view Of the fact that his
newspaper alleges that more than three
months ago statement was made TO
the encouragement that Mr., Hearst
had evidence which he believed WAS
sufficient TO convict these people Of this
crime, and the paper says this has been
ia the hands Of the attorney general
during these three months, |, as u
member Of the senate, would like to
know what this evidence IT, and they
can make up their own minds whether
they think 1t sufficient to reach the case
or not, -
s-.aHaaa-saa-~ -
Why Ia II that the county Judge ex-
,.nu1 A.. Al a., IA.