The Washington times., 1903-01-28

10 order the Attorney General to prose
cute Senator Mason, the permanent
chairman OF the convention, who was
unable to he present last night vas
also authorized 10 appoint a committee
of five to raise money. obtain evidence
against the combinations which control
the output of coal, and present the same
10 the Attorney General for action
The convention adjourned last night
subject to further call. The entire pro
ceedings were embodied in a series Of
resolutions which were extensively dis
cussed but finally adopted without
dissenting vote
a Statement OF Principle
The resolutions discIaim any official
character on the part OF the delegates
from the nineteen States and the Dis
trict of Columbia in convention or any
desire OF intention OF eucroaching upon
the official prerogatives of any depart
ment Of the Government.
It was recited that in the judgment OF
the convention trusts and conspiracies
existed. particularly in the production
and distribution of coal. tending to ere
ate monopoly Of the actual necessities
OF life. occasioning suffering 10 millions
and death TO many. It was further given
as the opinion of the convention that
consptracies existed among various
transportation companies whereby spe-
ciaI rates, rebates. and drawbacks al
lowed TO some shippers were denied to
others. exoTbitant rates of transporta-
tion were charged for coaI and pools and
combinations restricted and enhanced
the cost Of fuel to the consumers TO a
point hitherto Unknown.
The convention was further Of the
opinion that adequate power was already
vested in the courts under the interstate
commerce and the Sherman antitrust
acts to restrain these unlawful practices
and that it is the duty of the several
district attorneys Of the United States,
acting under the direction OF the Attor-
ney General. 10 institute legal proceed
ings and have the guilty punished.
The resolutions call upon the Presi-
dent 10 direct the Attorney General and
the Interstate Commerce Commission to
institute civil proceedings against the
combinations and insist that the proper
law officers lay the facts before the
grand juries and cause TO be indicted
and punished those who are found guilty
Of violation OF the law
A Stirring Discussion
The fight over the resolution began
with its introduction before the eom-
mittee On resolutions. Of which T. E.
Tarsney was chairman. The original
draft deplored the manifest dIsinclina-
tiou Of the Attorney General to use she
power and authority Of his great office"
in the enforcement Of the laws. On
motion Of Barry Bulkley, representing
the District of Columbia, 1t was finally
amended as IL was adopted.
Following the reporting OF the resoIu-
ton TO the convention, the motion 10
adopt the report Of the committee. made
by Mr. Tarsney. was seconded by 5Ir.
Bulkley. A vigorous protest against
the adoption of the resolution was then
entered by Major J. u. Long, Of Mehi-
gan, who thought the arraignment Of the
officials was uncaIled for in view OF
the limited information before the con
venuon.
Representative Charles +. Cochran. of
Missouri, was on his feet IN q moment
and began By saying that in general
when statutes are violated they are
violated secretly. IN recent years, jlow-
ever. the trusts and corporations have
thought nothing OF openly and fragrant
Is disregardiug the statutes. The i'm
mense mergers Of railroads had given
US the great transcontiuentaI railways
the steel trust was a matter Of public
knowledge. and now there was a com
biuation Of The owners OF the coal
mines and railroads that carry their
product 10 market which absolutely con
uolIed the situation. Every bar TO the
safety of the people seemed to rave
been broken down by these corpora
tIons, through the unacc0untable mac
tivity Of the judiciary and the officials
charged with the enforcement Of the
law
Exit NobiIity-EateTs Trusts.
we have but escaped the titled no
biIity to fall into the hands Of the
trusts" he declared
We arc rapidly approaching the time
when the whole business fabric OF the
country VIII rest in corporations. IT
is for Us TO change the system now
or never.
An extended discussion which follow
ed was brought TO q close by Barry
BuIkIey. who moved the previous ques-
tion and brought the resolution TO a
vote.