Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-28

convention. The majority Of the members
seemed inclined to fix the responsibility for
the alleged nom enforcement Of antitrust
laws upon Mr. Knox, and before the meet
ing 1t was thought that there would be no
opposition to such action. 1t developed,
however. that the Attorney General had
strong supporters in the committee and
warm discussion ensued. Representative
Gaines entered the committee room just be-
fore vote was taken on an amendment to
the resolutions modifying the language used
therein with reference to Mr.. Knox. He
made a strong protest against the use Of
mild language in connection with the At
torney General and read an attack on the
head Of the Department Of Justice.
Mr.. Barry Bullley urged the committee
to use diplomacy in dealing with the mat
ter, and after stubborn contest the reso-
buttons were framed in mider terms.
The convention proper was reassembled
at about o'clock. Rev. r. B. Condor of
Wisconsin presided in the absence of Sen
ator Mason, who was detained at the Sen
ate. Several short addresses were made
by the delegates.
Provokes Discussion.
The report Of the committee on resolu-
tions made by Chairman T. E. Tarsney OF
Detroit was the signal for warm and ex-
tended discussion. Immediately after the
reading Of the report Maj. J. w. Long, rep
resenting Michigan in the convention, but
q resident Of this city, addressed the meet
Ing in protest against the consideration
Of the resolutions, and made motion that
they be recommitted to the committee, with
instructions to draft a new set. He de-
clared that the country have anticipated in
the convention remedy for the coal stu
alton, but the resolutions aimed at diff
ferent thing, and he felt sure his own state
would not indorse them because Of their
criticism Of the government officials.
Representative Charles +. Cochran OF
Missouri supported the resolutions, assert
ing they were not too strong. He declared
that in Pennsylvania railroad companies
owned and controlled coal mines in viola
ton Of the laws, that there were many IA
grant violations Of the laws of the land by
the trusts, and that investigation should
be made and proceedings instituted against
the offenders. Continuing, he asked:
"Is 1t not VIGOROUSLY true that when
vacancy occurs on the judicial bench the
position Is filled by the appointment of a
person prejudiced in school of thought
favorable to the corporations? do not
want to disparage our judiciary or say that
they are dishonest, but if federal Judge
were to drop dead on the streets of Wash
ington tomorrow, before the widows tears
were dry the big corporations would select
his successor and their choice would be
appointed.
and throttle the monopolies or they will
work the ruin Of the nation Modern cor
porations have come into this country in
the place Of the nobility. We approach a
time when these big corporations or the
state must die, and 1t will not be the state
that dies. 1 believe corporate charter
should be granted to any body Of men
less it can be proved that the corporation
can serve the people better than the private
individual cam.
Mr.. Walker Opposes.
Mr. Mortimer E. Walker of Racine. Wis,
opposed the adoption Of the resolutions, de-
claring they contained yelled arraign-
ment Of the officers Of the government.
Among other things he said II am not as
yet one of those who have lost faith in the
integrity and honesty Of our President. our
Attorney General or our federal judiciary.
This body. sitting for only two days-one
day in Detroit and one day here-should not
presume to have greater knowledge Of the
facts than our government officials. 1t Is
not for us to say that the proper authorities
have not taken steps looking toward the
punishment of existing evils. To convict a
person you must have proof and we know
that is not always easy to obtain. I am not
in favor of an arraignment Of the admins
tration or the administration officials
The resolutions were further supported by
Representative Gaines of Tennessee, who
declared: 1.-THE interstate commerce law
explicitly provides that the Attorney Gen
eral is not to sit in his office and do moth
ing but he Is required to enforce the laws
The Attorney General of the United States
is not and has not been enforcing the inter-
state commerce law. In report filed over
a year ago 1T was stated that 131 Illegal
trusts existed and not a single action has
been Instituted against these corporations
The Attorney General yes, and the Presi-
dent who declared SO strongly against the
trusts in the last campaign, should take
some action toward Furnishing the Offend
ers against the law"
Several other delegates spoke in favor of
the resolutions, and Mrs. Evelyn H. Belden
of Sioux City. Iowa the only woman dele
gate in the convention. made a short adj
the women the right to vote and they would
help to drive out the evils Of the trusts.
The Resolutions.
In order to bring the, matter to a vote Mr..
Buckley introduced an additional resolution
providing for the appointment of a commit
tee Of five to carry on the work Of the con-
vention and the resolutions were adopted
as follows: 50 10
This convention, consisting Of delegates
from nineteen states and the District of Co.
lumbia, disclaims any official character or
desire or purpose to eflcroach upon the Off
cial prerogativesfof the President the Con-
gress or any department Of government or
duly authorized commission. It appreciates
however, that 1t Is exercising the right pos
sessed by all American citizens to call upon
those In official stations upon whom the
duty and responsibility rests to see that the
laws Of the land are enforced and obeyed
and to restrain and punish mira ctions
thereof We therefore declare:
First-That it is the Judgment and opin-
ion Of this convention that contracts, COM
binations in the form of trusts and conspir-
acies exist in restraint of trade and restric-
ton of competition in trade, especially in
the production, transportation, distribution
and sale of coal. and such contracts and
conspiracies tend to create a monopoly of
one of the actual necessities of life, and
have already occasioned suffering to mil
lions of our fellow-citizens and disease and
death to many.
second-We declare that, in the opinion
of this convention, combination. agreements
and conspiracies exist between and among
many of the transportation companies
whereby special rates. rebates and draw
hacks are allowed to some SINNERS which