The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-23
MERRIAM'S BACKERS
we're TOO HEAVY
4 LOAD
Senatorial Representatives
of the Trusts Indorse Him
for Secretary of Commerce,
Which, Largely, Was Why
He Was Not Appointed
Nelson Sulphurously An
CRY.
From Globe Washington Bureau.

From Globe Washington Bureau.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb 22.-Sen-
ator Nelson, of Minnesota, is doing
some lurid thinking anent the appoint
ment OF COrtelyou and Garfield as sec
retary Of commerce and commissioner
of corporations, respectively. Nelson
does not approve. In fact, he disap-
proves to the extent of SulphurouS
language. Because Nelson had two
candidates of his own for these jobs
William r. Merriam and Fred S. In
gersOl, of St. Paul, were names pre-
sented by him to the president, with
his strong Endorsement. In political
parlance he went to the front" for
them
Nelson thought he could land a
couple of these jobs He had taken
an active part in securing the legisla-
tiOn and he supposed he would get
this reward. He does not claim that
Roosevelt ever promised him anything,
but under the old order of things, and
by the traditions of other administra-
tiOns, this would have been the Sc
Quence. Undoubtedly Nelson was. en-
cOuraged in his hope and his purpose
by Hanna and Aldrich, who had also
picked Merriam for secretary and
seemed to approve of the other Nelson
candidate.
But Roosevelt has had one idea in
mind from the beginning of this anti
trust campaign, which was that no OBJ
stacle should be interposed, in the
shape of an inadequate or unwilling
official, to the effectual enforcement
of the law. One thing he was deter
mined upon, namely, that he should have
the say as to what should be done
in applying the publicity law to the
trusts. To this end it was essential
that he be, eX OfficiO, secretary of COM
merce and commissioner of corpora
tiOns. Therefore, for these places he
chose men of his personal selection.
Both are unmortgaged and unhamp-
cred by obligations to senatorial or
other hackers. They will support the
president and will second his efforts
In spirit as well as in letter
That is said to be the presidents
Idea, at any rate. Nelson's motives
in endeavoring to land these two
places for constituents Of his were
doubtless quite unselfsh and honor
able, but President Roosevelt made
up his mind long ago that no candi-
date indOrsed by the representatives
in the senate of the trustsWhich were
to be investigated would be the man
whom he would name to conduct such
investigation. Nearly every senator
carrying a Rockefeller telegram in his
pocket was among Merriam's indors-
erS for secretary of commerce. With
nothing else considered, Merriam's in
dorsements were enough to damn him.
And they did
Roosevelt Holds the SearchIiqht.
That expresses the situation brought
about by the creation of the publicity
bureau of the department of commerce.
The new law reposes almost unlimited
discretion in the chief executive He
is to direct and determine everything
What corporations shall be inVeStigat-
ed, to what extent they shall be in
Vesugated, how much, if any, of the
results shall be made public-every-
thing is in his hands. A chief execu-
tive not in sympathy with the pur-
poses of the law would have it in
his power to make it a nullity He
could make it merely bureau for the
collection of worthless figures; every
thing important could be suppressed;
or he might even order that only triv-
ialities be gathered. Again, he could
command that the investigation be di-
rected only toward corporations which
are engaged only in legitimate and
harmless business, leaving the coal
trusts, beef trusts and all the rest to
pursue their ways
1t is up to Roosevelt to say, first
where the inquiry shall begin; and
second, what he will do with the re-
suits brought to light.
Oil and Coal.
There is not much doubt as to either
of these determine tions. Mr. Rookie
feller has probably brought it upon
himself, and by strenuous telegraphing
has become a hot rival of Baer of an
thracite coal fame.
The Standard Oil Is typical among
trusts and has the unique distinction
that it is not mothered by a tariff. It
was built up by conspiracy with the
railroads and by a predatory competi-
ton which put its rivals out of busi-
ness. A casual inquiry will show
that it sells abroad more cheaply than
at home; and it has a monopoly of the
Oil product and sources of supply that
is practically complete
The anthracite coal trust was earlier
in counting investigation than the
Standard Oil and there are certain
grounds upon which it might seem to
claim first notice. In hundred ways
1t is more oppressive, at present, than
the Rockefeller trust. Coal is more
essential to comfort and harder to get
than kerosene oil. The EMPLOYEES of
the Standard Oil-even the professors
OF political economy at the Chicago uni
Nerslty-are not so harshly treated or
so ground down as the men who mine
anthracite Then again Mr.. RockefeI-
Ter mas shown more benevolent and
reHglous disposition than Messrs. Nor
gan ana Baer and perhaps less in need
of the Christening rod than the latter.
All of which considerations will he
taken into account by the president In
determining whittier first to direct the
searchlight.
And then there is the beef trust paw
ing to have its methods exploited. Rut
it will doubtless have to wait. chewing
its cud with what patience it can until
the summons, Next"
What President Roosevelt will do
with the results of his investigations
can be easily guessed He will make
them public, and he will make them
the basis for a message to congress
recommending further legislation.
Plenty of Authority.
A misleading report has gone ont
that the law creating the publicity bu-
reau does not give sufficient authority
to the officials who are to administer it
This report is cOntradicted by all who
have any knowledge of this legislation.
The law as passed is as it was drawn
by Attorney General Knox, and he is
willing to stake his professional repu-
tation that it will hold water" The
powers given to the commissioner of
corporations are the same given by
the present statutes to the interstate
commerce commission. The new law
simply refers to these statut.G and ap-
plies them to the new department. This
plan has the advantage that the stat
utes have already been subjected to the