New-York tribune., 1903-03-22
NORTHERN SECURITIES.
End of arguments against Com
Dany-DecisiOn ReserUed.

St Louis March 21.-The arguments in the
great Northern Securities case were concluded at
1884 o'clock this afternoon a3d the left
with the Fedora Court Of Appeals. Because OF
the enormous mass Of evidence and the volun!nous
arguments which the judges are called upon 70
consider it doubtful II a decision Will be pos
sible within two months and the probabilities are
the time will be longer than that.
Assistant Attorney General Beck asked at the
opening Of the hearing this morning how much
time would be allowed TO the attorneys for the
government to prepare and submit their briefs
After conference between the Judges It was
nounced that the government could have three
days
The matter OF the hrerz being settled T. T
Watson resumed his argument which IN prog
ress at last nights adjournment. lie insisted that
the position taken by the defendants. that they
had the right under State laws to form
bnatiun, not we'll taken. for the reason that
behind the sovereign power of State was power
still more sovereign. and this latter power said
that such a combination Unlawfu, and tended
stife competition.
They combined in New-Jersay.' said Mr.. Wat
son. Why? What purpose mad they in NsU-J'r-
sey? To manufacture: To make sIlko Even 20
railroad? They wanted to run railroads in
Minnesota. and for these mon to come here art
say they had any other object IS IuGicrous-"
Mr.. Watson declared that all railroad business
in the territory of the Great Northern ard North
Pacific railways Absolutely in control -
the Northern Securities Company. and IL VS. the
State q New-Jersey one THOUSAND miles from
power to establish rates and dictate policies irr
Minnesota. Dakota. Montana and ether States
Such a condition. he declared OF al
equity and Justice
II the of the Northern Securities Company
upheld. Mr.. Watson declared there r.'fh-
ing to prevent absorption Of all other trans
continental lines or. indeed. OF all other line II
would enable them TO stifC all competition and
regulate all freight rates. This last. b" sti!
not matter of such SreIt importance. h.:t Il Was
the power that would tI.- corpora I'd
the loss OF liberty 10 the Hdiy !dudi CIt.Lcl. hat
formed the great objection 10 tE, merger
Trust act lid not apply to tL'' pres Mt ease" be.
cause IL did not apply Cirertly TO The ,JutrOl q
commerce. for the reason that the roads 90
Grated through agents. was vigorously ,uin'rtt'r!
by Mr.. Watson. who claimed that 1t ir griur.
and that the position Of the defendants ~
1t Is the question OF control that 0.t r1utr.S
this case he said And It is utter
these men who OwE the stock 10 That tie ,r't
does not apply To them. 1t - control. -u0tr
nothing but control. that counts. and tis>- nl'I
have it
The argument o. Mr Rum for the railway com
panieS. that IL the States and tht
tiOnal government that had power rpsuHf-
thu consolidation of railway companies uI<-
clSS''d briefly by Mr. Watson. Who I~rI red sun
a theory to D" absurd. claimed that the NortF-
ern Securities Company had right erC,;rn
under the laws Of N~w-JerSoy Il charter that Vrt''
enable II to Violate the laws of Ninuc-ltl l-G
Wisconsin. He declared further that the laws ~
\ew-Jersey conferred UDur II <lrrh power aS e
claimed under them.
At 12:24 o'clock Mr. WatSOn'S argument was go
cludPd. and the was taken under adyissurnt
By the