Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-01-31
TRUSTS FIGHT
Mr.. ROOSEVELT
Are Against Transfer Of Inter-
State Commission TO Depart
ment of Commerce.
HUMOR OF ELKiNS' BILL
impossible to Take the West Vireinif
Mans Measure Seriously Tax
Lazy Makes Washington Less
a Rich Mans Paradise.

the trust interests against RooSeVeltS
plan for trust regulation is now BEING
directed TO the vital point of prevent
Ing the transfer of the interstate com-
merce commission to the proposed de,
partment of commerce.
The plan Of the president contem7
plates such a transfer. His plan is
first, to augment the scope and powers
OF that commission, giving 1t pub
iicity" functions and other greatly en-
larged powers, and then to make II
subordinate to the secretary of COM
merce.
The reasons for and against are APP
parent. To enforce a law properly, the
president reasons hat 1t is essential
that the Observation-Disclosures charged with
Its execution be placed at the disposal
of the executive department of the
government.
BY the terms of the present law the
interstate commission is an
Independent concern creature of the
law, reporting directly and only tc
congress. The president has no power
to issue orders to the commission. BY
its very nature it is more subject TO
railroad than to presidential influence.
To enforce acts 10 compel publicity
equal rates and to stop secret alliances
and predatory competition through the
instrumentality of common carriers,
the president feels that he should have
direct control and supervision of the
department of the government which
is charged with the execution of the
laws which forbid those practices.
With this purpose in view he has
planned to transfer the interstate COM
merce commission to the department
entitled, in the department of COM
merce bill, "the bureau of corpora
tions." A provision was inserted In the
bill, when the measure passed the
house, giving to the president the pow
er to transfer to the new department
any bureau of the government which
he might designate.
Senatorial Opposition.
The interests opposing trust legisla-
ton have directed their persuasive la
bors chiefly upon the senate. In that
body the real difficulty will be encoun-
tered. The senators who will voice II
n the arguments they will use are
becoming evident.
The activity of the national board OF
trade against the department of COM
merce bill will be understood when II
is remembered that the local boards of
trade and chambers of MAX
Ing up this national body are close to
the railroads and in an important sense
under railroad control. Through these
trade organizations, therefore, the rail-
roads, and the trusts which are close
W llASilJ aIS pIlllSllS pressure 10 pear
on ongress against the department OF
ommerce bill and the presidents plans
for the solution of the trust problem.
1t Is a pretty game, and may be
watched with interest and profit by ali
students of politics.
Meanwhile, the Elkins bill continues
to act the part of a ghost" in the sem
ate, It's real purpose being that of OBJ
struction n delay at the proper mo-
ment, should the presidents plan seem
dangerously near being carried out by
appropriate legislation. The attitude
which the trusts assume IN the Elkins
bill of being themselves trust busters"
is enough to bring a smile to the face
of a cigar Indian. 1t will be impossible
for intelligent men to take this Elkins
bill seriously. But there is plenty that
Is serious connected with the efforts
being made to prevent the president
from bringing about what the whole
country is so vehemently demanding.
Gentle Hint to Wilhelm.
At the request Of the war department.,
the state department will probably in
form the German government, If II has
not already lone so. that il is regarded
as wiser by the United States to post
pone the unveiling and dedication of the
statue of Frederick the Great which
was to ave been placed ia the grounds
Of the new war college IN Washington.
The statue was offered to this govern
ment by Emperor William as n mark of
friendship for the United States. The
reason for the desire to postpone the
dedication is stated to be the chaotic
condition of the war college grounds.
The matter might have been regarded
as of much significance if it were not
for the talk at the time of the admin
istration's feeling of resentment over
Germany's course in Venezuela and the
panprtG that a S1I SniCipn of Tho 49,,
poses of that government has been en-
rendered in the minds of those in an
thority here.
For this reason the question of ask
ing Germany not to send the statue I'M
til the United States was ready to re-
Ceive it was regarded as one of great
delicacy, and was determined in the af-
1rmative only after much consideration
The Personal Tax Law
Washington Is less a rich mans paradise
than a year ago. Now, personal property
is taxed; prior to last session Ii was not.
Many rich men come to Washington. as
a city whose government never taxed
their money in bank, securities, gold
plate or rich TAPESTRIES. They entoyed
immunity from the impertinent questions
Of the persons. tax gatherer. There are
many mansions of W~ashington's leisure
class whose votaries ave nothing to do
a V to swell socially. 1t is a parade of
wealth involving fabulous expenditures
No city offers such opportunities to un-
married eligibles of rich, proud families,
and each year witnesses the advent of
new families. Washington is rapidly be-
coming one Of the most beautiful cite.
in the world.
The new personal tax law is yielding a
handsome revenue. The first year brought
over a million and a half of dollars to the
district. This government pays half the
cost of municipal government. Congress
man Burkett of Nebraska fought for com
peiling taxes on personality, and incurred
the ill-will of many leading men here.
Hot Springs ~sanitarium.
South Dakota will set a prize if all
goes we'll. For years the veterans of the
civil war have been trying to induce the
government to build a sanitarium at Hot
Springs, whose waters are so beneficial
for rheumatism. Last winter congress APP
propriated $3.50, 900, but the plans are Sc
ambitious hat an effort is being made to
raise the amount to $500, 600. The chances
are the amount will be forthcoming. This
promises to be one of the most important
projects ever started for the benefit OF
South Dakota, whose delegation has In
defatigably worked upon it. Construction
will proceed in the spring.
Ask $1o,oo0,ooo for improvements.
The Commissioners who rule Washing.
ton are asking permission to bono fol
$40, 600, 900 for public improvements. Some
of the house appropriations committee
would grant permission, but others, among
them MIR. Burkett, are opposed. This hos.
tility is regarded by Westinghouse as a
menace The newspapers dub him as q
hayseed statesman with his pants in his
boots. If. however. Mr.. Burkett attacks
the bond proposition upon the floor some.
body will think he is an apt understudy
of Uncle Joe Cannon, watchdog Of the
treasury" The more vigor Burkett dis.
| MIA We I'm this huSiness tha stropQar he he.