The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1903-04-23
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MAKES A WAY OUT.

"The decision handed down In the
Northern Securities case' says the Kins-
Hey Mercury, 'afords tlle first real, ef-
fective, and practicable solution of the
trust question. In this case the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific Railroad
companies had bought the Burlington
All of these were transcontinental aud
competing lines especially the former
I two. In order to secure that "commun-
| ity Of interests" which would absolutely
do away with competition, these roads
formed what was known as the Northern
Securities Company, New Jersey Cor
poration with capital of four hundred
millions. The securities company
bought all of the stock Of the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific thus en-
bodying the control of the three rail-
roads absolutely ia the hands Of a siDgle
corporation. The move created an in
surrection in Minnesota and the Dakotas
where the people saw themselves abso-
lutely at the mercy of this single vast
corporation.
.'rhe Governors of these states took
d up the matter but nothing effective was
done until President Roosevelt instructed
Attorney General Knox to investigate
the legality of tile Securities Company.
1t will be remembered that General
Knox had been for many years a trust
lawyer, engaged in just such business as
the formation of the Securities Company
and lie opposition had inveighed Bit
terly against his appointment as Attor.
ney General for that reason. Mr.. Knox
brought to the examination of the ques-
ton all bis splendid knowledge and an
industry and conscience not at all I'M
paired by his previous connection with
the trusts. He reported to the President
That the combinations was illegal and that
lie could dissolve it. Without waiting to
consult with Plerpont Morgan, Jas. j.
Hill or any of the trust magnates the
President instructed General Knox to
bring suit to annul this corporation. 1t
was done with the result that the other
day the l. 5. Circuit Court Of Appeals of
three members handed down a decision
that the new company was obnoxious to
the Sherman law, Illegal because in re-
straint of trade and commerce and for
bidding its ownership OF the stocks of
these two companies,
"Of course the case will be appealed
but thanks to general Knox q recent law
of Congress requires such cases to have
precedence instead Of sleeping on the
docket for three or four years, So the
appeal will be heard before the year Is
out aud The case finally determined.
Little doubt Is expressed anywhere that
The decision will be sustained as the
opinion makes it very clear even to The
ayman that the much abused Sherman
aw is effective for such cases.
"'lhat the decision will immeasnrably1
strengthen The Presidents hands in his
var against the trusts goes without say
ng aud 1t Is equally clear that 1t makes ;.
lim an irresistible candidate for the /
presidency next year. Fearlessly and ID /
he face of much hostile criticism from
lis own party, he has carried on a war !
against tile trusts aud combines, not in 3
10Y aparchlstlq or lawless way but .
thclly within tho law. Simply using
he powers conferred by existing law /
md the machinery Of the courts. a
"If the decision in this case stands the ]
Steel trust and all the great mergers may !
stand at the mercy Of The Attorney Cen !
,ral, They must dissolve Or be dissolved. q
Itis a great victory for the President :
ind a greater one for Attorney General !
Knox" /
Y 4 "a l. |