Arizona republican., 1903-01-10
THoENIx, ARIZONA. JAN. 10, 1903
The Probability of Antitrust Leg
 iSlation.

DiSDatcheS from Washington duTllS the last two days have indicated a gen eral belief among senators and repre- sertatives that there will be "conser- vative trust legislation" before the close of the session. It is generally admitted that if any antitrust bill is passed, 1t will be partly due to President Roose- Velt's urgent requests for such leglsia- tion. The influence of the president is tremendous. Antitrust legislation would have much clearer sailing, how ever. if the president would throw his influence on the side of the omnibus statehood bill. The opponents of that measure are blocking everything by their long -winded speeches and their stubborn refusal to permit vote. And some of them, doubtless, are not sorry to head off the presidents antitrust programme by keeping the statehood LilI on the boards so long that nothing e.se but the appropriation bills can have a hearing. However, it is the Judgment of the best informed that the omnibus bill will be disposed of, one way or another, by the end of this month, and in that event it is not inn probable that bill aimed at the trusts will be passed.
 Opinion at the capital has veered around so suddenly as to the chances Of legislation against the trusts that there has not been time for reliable fore cast of the measure which is to be passed-the only thing. reasonably cer- tain is that the president has rounded ul congress in such shape that he will te able to jam his general programme through both houses. In these columns q few days ago we gave d digest of the bill introduced last week by Senator Hear. but there appears to be very unanimous opposition to the Hoar bill. What Mir. Roosevelt would like to see enacted is very accurately shown in Attorney General Knox's letter made public on Tuesday of this week, to the judiciary committee of the house and senate The letter from MT. Knox con tained these recommendations:
 That all discriminatory practices affecting interstate trade be made of lenses to be enjoined and punished. Such legislation to be directed alike against those who give and those who receive illegal advanta ges, and to cover discrimination in prices as against competitors in particular localities re- sorted to for the purpose of destroying competition. In order to reach pro- Gucers guilty of these ofrenses, a pen ha inn ha int state and foreign transportation of soods produced by them, and federal courts should be given power to re- strain such transportation at the gov ernment's suit. Such legislation is nec- cssary, because the existing interstate commerce law does not give an effect i've remedy in this class of cases against either shipper or carrier.
 ''The caucus omissuS in the inter state commerce act should now be sup piled by imposing a penalty upon car r'or and beneficiary alike and by giving to the courts the right to restrain all such infraCtiOns of the law. The pro- blbitDn against carriers should be linn ited to those subject to the act to regu- late commerce. Only carriers operating line of railroad or a rail and water line as one line are required to publish their rates and adhere to them It is lmpracticablle to control lines operat- Ing wholly by water. Rates of water transportation are necessarily open to the freest competition. are invariably low by comparison. and thus naturally furnish the standard of reasona bleness without express regulation
 Tt should be made unlawful 70 tI ansport traffic by carriers subject to no int tsata
 rates than the published rate, and all who participate in violating the lav. should be punished
 Provision should also be made to reach corporations and combines which Produce wholly within a state, but whose products enter interstate com merce. This provision should relate first to concerns which fatten on re- bates; second, to concerns which sell commodities below the general price in particular localities, or in any other way in particular localities seek to de- stroy competition.
 There should be a comDrehensive rlan to enable the government to get at all the facts bearing upon the or ganization and practices of concerns engaged in interstate commerce.. no, With a view to hampering any legiti- mate business of such concerns, but in order to be in position to take action if necessary.
 To this end. q commission. or spe- cai bureau in the proposed bureau of commerce could be created. whose duty 1t should be to investigate the opera tons of concerns engaged in interstate or foreign commerce; to gather infor- nation and data enabling it to make recommendations for additional legis- ldhon to report to the president This would be first step in securing proper publicity. This commission should have authority to inquire into the manage