Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-02-18
The Antitrust Fiasco.

IlAG GreSlO6QL ROOSEVELT WAS III
earnest last fall when he made known
his intention to secure antitrust legis-
lation by the present Congress we have
no doubt. But that he would succeed
in procuring legislation that would
materially prevent the trust magnates
from continuing their nefarious bust
ness, no one who has given thought or
consideration to the leading methods of
politicians Of the republican party, for
q moment believed.
The trusts are sll-powerful in this
country. 1t is from them that the
money to elect republican presidents,
congressman and legislators is obtained,
and as rule the tools do the bidding of
their masters rather than be cast out of
the political fold to make room for 9TH
ers who will.
Last Friday congress concluded the
legislation on trusts for the present SEES
sion, and as was to be expected. the
trusts escaped without scratch. Wal
ter Wellman, the Washington cores
pondent of the Chicago Record Herald,
In letter to his paper, under date of
the 14th inst. says:
"By the decisive vote of 241 to 6, IN
der special order which cut off
amendments, after debate of an hour,
the house of representatives yesterday
passed the 80 called Elkins anti-rebste
bill. This concludes the antitrust legls-
lative program for this session. All the
trust-busting bills that are to be passed
have now gone through both houses
and will soon become lsw-the depart
ment of commerce, with its publicity
attachment; the anti-rebste bill, and q
measure designed to expedite the de-
cision of cases in the federal courts, in
other words, the program adopted more
than month ago by the representa-
tives of some Of the big corporations
and the republican leaders has been
carried through without break.
It goes without saying that the trusts
have not been hurt. II Is known ID
evefy public man in Washington that
the legislation now adopted will mot and
cannot have the slightest effect upon
the operations of the great trusts. In
circumstances which admit of frank
speaking, no republican pretends to
claim that this legislation is anything
more than dress parade affair. Itwas
deliberately designed to do two things;
l. To convince the people through
out the country that herepublican par
ty is not afraid to legislate against the
trusts.
2. To convince corporation mana
gers and trust chiefs that the republican
party may be depended upon not to d.
anything that will hurt the business in
terests.
1t is perfectly understood among al
classes of people in Washington tina
the party leaders set out to perform thi
trick of riding both horses in the trus
ring and the men who have engineered
the work feel proud of their skill. They
believe they will get credit among thu
people for having made fair begin.
ming toward trust regulation. The,
know they will get credit among tn
trust owners for being conservative
thoughtful and harmless. 1t is ais
thoroughly understood by everyone VIII
knows anything at all about the subjec
that the republican managers adopte
this course upon the following line Q
reasoning:
1. The people of the country deman
antitrust legislation, and we must Civ
them something which will satisf
them and put stop to the pressure fl
more drastic action.
2. But in doing SO we must tax
good care not to offend the business ii
terests.
The result is series of laws whic
in the opinion of the best judges, wi
have no more real effect upon the oper
tions of the trusts than q drop of wat
upon the back of duck. has on tt
health and happiness of that contente
fowl"