The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-04-16
MERGER DECISION
The A|I-Absorbing Topic Of
Discussion Just Now.
WILLIAMS GIVES VIEWS
Speculation on Effects Of Ultimate kc'
ton of High Court Is Indulged
in BY Politicians in
Washington.

Circuit court VI cppSdlS IL IAC AVA w
ern Securities Company case, Mr..
John Shelton Williams, president OF
the Seaboard Air Line railway system.
says he regards as ono OF the greatest
blessings and the brightest promises
for railroad interests and general bust
ness that ''le country could have. 10
an interview Sunday, with represen-
tative of the Associated Press, when
asked his opinion Of the decision, Mr..
Williams said:
81 am satisfied that when they
come to study the matter carefully
railroad men and thinking mea OF az
classes, not only in the south, but in
the country generally, except those
whose ambitious schemes arc directly
hindered, will be united In the feeling
that the decision Is sound law, good
sense, and for the advantage OF all
legitimate interests and for the coun-
t.y's welfare. From loyal standpoint!
it aceords with the opinions OF many
Of the ablest lawyers Of tn: country,
and it seems to be fortified with au-
thorities and reasoning too strong 70
be shaken.
Il have no fer that the supreme
court will reverse or seriously modify
it. Public policy, public sentiment and
established principles and precedents
of law combine to sustain the circuit
court. From a commercial and practi-
cal railroad standpoint the soundness
Of the courts position is lndisputabls.
1t voices the judgment of probably
nine-tenths of the most conservative
business men Of the country. Last No
vember, in New Orleans, In an address
before the trust company section OF
the American Bankers Association, |
took the ground that there must be 4
check to the processes OF merger and
com bination. 1 found my position was
heartily approved by most Of my hear
ers and by the public generally, It /
may judge from press comments, and
an satisfied the country at large will
welcome the courts action"
Discussed In Washington.
A Washington special says: The
possible effects, politically, OF the
merger decision which has created
such a stir in the industrial world are
being discussed very prominently by
politicians of both parties in Wash
ington. While nobody will he satisfied
until the principles involved in this
case are passed upon by the supreme
court of the United States, there is
general disposition to believe that the
action Of the circuit court Of appeals
may be taken as fairly indicative OF
the final decision Of the highest court
The first credit for the success OF
the case brought by the government is
given, by those who understand the
history o. the proceedings, to Attor-
ney General Knox-and that is where
it belongs. While President Roose-
velt was preaching the necessity Of an
amendment to the constitution in or
der to pave the way for legislation
which would recognize the new rela-
tionship between capital and the gov
ernment," wnlcn he was proclaiming
in his speeches, Attorney General
Knox took the position that the laws
upon the statute books were sufficient
to cure some Of the most fragrant
evils which had grown up as part OF
the trust system, and that the fault N
the past had been largely due to lack
Of aggressiveness on the part Of the
officials Of the department Of justice.
IN his speech at Pittsburg, Attorney
General Knox took this position and
his prosecution of the case against the
Northern Securities Company was in
line with his declaration in that
speech. 1t is we'll known that Presi.
dent Roosevelt had no part whatsoever
in shaping this case until after Attor.
ney General Knox had drawn his bills
and had made his case complete.
The credit for the success Of the
governments case belongs, therefore,
n the ATTORNEY general