Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-01
REGULATING THE TRUSTS.
Progressive steps TOward a Decision
by n Highest Court.
uo.ha.wtnn Gfar

Matters are unouestionably on the move
In the direction OF the restriction of the
trusts whose operations are inimical 10 the
nublIc welfare. The great northwest rail-
road merger has been pronounced illegal by
the lower federal court and an appeal 10
the United States supreme court Is on It's
way for early hearing. Judge Grosscup OF
the United States circuit court at chicago
made permanent the temporary injunction
against the beef trust which was granted
to complainants a few months ago. That
clears the way for an appeal to the SUI
preme court, which will render a final de-
cislon. This Injunction is sweeping, and II
sustained will form the basis for a most
important line Of procedure against all cor
porations dealing with food supplies. It's
effect is to maintain free competition in the
meat markets of the world. Secret meet
ings to agree on uniform prices are pro-
hibited. The defendants must not arbitra-
rily raise, lower or fix prices by agreement,
they are enjoined from establishing uniform
rules of credit to dealers and they must not
maintain a common blacklist of delinquent
customers.
It may be that the beef trust will find
a way TO avoid this decree, but the de-
ermined manner In which II has fought
the suit indicates that it does not com
placently 'egard the prospect of such an
injunction. The great evil of course arises
from secret proceedings. which are not mat
tiers Of record and do not give the public
a chance to scrutinize the workings of the
corporations. But a new element Of safety
is afforded by the publicity section Of the
law passed at the last session OF congress
and the creation OF the new bureau Of cor
porations under the Department OF Com
merce. BY means OF these agencies II should
be possible for shrewd government inspec-
tors to detect signs OF a common under
standing on the part of the possible com
ponents OF a trust, whether they are as
sembled under a single corporation name
or remain as distinct entities. The PEN
alties provided by the Chicago Injunction
for violations of any of it's clauses put a
weapon in the hands OF the officials which
should. when welded, produce wholesome
results.
The inquiry into the methods Of the coal
trust Is proceeding with signs Of success.
There is no doubt whatever in the minds
OF the people that. although the several
coal mining and carrying roads are not
definitely Incorporated into a distinct trust,
they are associated in a working agree
ment'' as ~nagrantly opposed to the public
welfare as the beef trust proved TO be a
year ago. The deniais NJ President Baer OF
the Reading do not shake this belief I'm the
slightest. His testimony before the Inter
state Commerce Commission a few weeks
ago amounted 10 a defiance Of the public
and the law and II has deepened the pur.
pose Of the advocates Of the regulation OF
the trusts to bring the offending corpora,
lions 20 book. The schedule Of prices. call.
Ing for an increase in the coal rate OF II
cents a ton a month for several months. 4,
not justified by the circumstances and Is 2
direct proof OF the existence of the sam,
sort OF agreement as that against which
the Chicago Injunction has Just been iss1,ef
in the beef case. Further sdvances there
fore in the line OF governmental regulatior
and relief may he expected shortly IN tbi,
instance unless an unexpected kink IN IN,
law is encountered. TO set back the pro
gram.