The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-21

shortened. till his head was brought to
the ringbolt in the floor, and made immov-
able for the sure descent of the finishing
blow.
The steers willingness to "be there"
parallels Mr. Baer's-Mr. Baers and that
of the whole group of trust conspirators
associated with him in interest and in
guilt.
At every step they have resisted to the
utmost each effort of Mr.. Hearst to bring
them TO Internationally when that
was possible, openly when resistance had
to be open, as in the Interstate Commerce
Commissions investigation and in Judge
Lacombe's court.
On October A. 1902-eight months ago
today-Mr. Hearst petitioned Attorney
General Knox to proceed against the Coal
Trust. and offered to supply him with
documentary proof of its criminality.
Did Mr.. Baer and his confederates use
their influence to induce the Attorney
General to bring suit against them in
the proper forum?"
Mr.. Knox instructed District Attorney
Burnett to receive Mr.. Rearst's evidence
and report upon it.
Have Mr.. Baer and his confederates at
any time asked Mr.. Knox to proceed upon
that report, or even to disclose it's char
acter? Were they heard from last Win
ter when members of the United States
Senate sought to compel the Attorney
General to make public that report and
ITO explain why he had remained silent and
inactive respecting 1T?
Did Mr.. Baer and his confederates show
sny Willingness cooperate with Mr..
Hearst in his endeavors to persuade the
Attorney General of New York to take
legal measures for determining whether or
not the Coal Trusts methods of doing
business in this State bring it under the
provisions of the Donnelly Anti Trust Act.
IA measure whose passage by the New
York Legislature was procured by Mr.
Hearst?
The Interstate Commerce Commission
was petitioned by Mr.. Hearst on October
30 last-more than seven months ago-to
undertake the investigation upon which it
has entered
In what spirit have Mr.. Baer and his
confederates met that investigation? AS
the whole country knows, in spirit OF
stubborn and insulting antagonism, dis
putting the authority of the Commission
by withholding documents called for and
refusing to answer questions vital to the
issue raised.
And now, when Mr.. Baer and his con-
federates, processing an ardent desire to
be brought intho the proper forum" find
themselves there, they dodge behind a
bubble and pettifog for delay.
| A burglar sitting in the prisoners dock
and sullenly declining to take the stand in
his own behalf, or who, having taken the
stand, refuses to answer question lest to
do SO would incriminate him. presents
quite as convincing figure of innocence
as the doggedly demurring and delay
seeking Soal Trust does.
| Delay it has secured, and by the efforts
of ingenious attorneys it may secure more
delay.
But in the end it will be forced to stand
quences of them. The pursuer who is on
| its track is to be neither wearied nor
shaken off. Mr.. Hearst's reply to Mr..
Baer's boast that he would "be there"
when summoned into the proper forum, .
closed with these words:
Had we an Attorney-Gen willing to
take the initiat tive against the Coal Trust
it would not have been necessary for me
to exert myself as have done to drag
it into court.
MY object is to smash the Coal Trust
Naturally, cannot expect the Coal Trust
| to feel grateful to me for my pursuit OF
it. but | am not solicitous of the graft
tude or approval of the Coal Trust or any
other group of monopolists who prey upon
the people and snap their fingers at the
law, relying for immunity from moiesta-
ton or punishment upon the indifference
lethargy or friendship of the laws officers
-incluGing President Roosevelt's Attor-
ney General
| 81 intend to smash the Coal Trust. And
it is in process of being smashed before
the Interstate Commerce Commission in
response to my petition of October 20.
And when the Coal Trust goes down
in ruin no other pillaging combination in
this Republic will feel safe.
THAT is the end toward which / am
working, and every man in the United
States whether millionaire or day labor
er, who is patriotic citizen, preferring
!. prosperity to hard times and democratic
institutions to government by predatory
wealth organized into lawless trusts,
should be with me"