Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-21

influence for peace7 and when have we
rested more insecure friendship with all
mankind2
At every election, the regulation of trusts
had been the foot ball of campaign ora
tory and the subject Of many insincere
declarations.
Our republican administration has taken
up the subject in a practical, sensible way
as business rather than political Ques-
ton. saying what 1t really meant. and
doing what lay at its hand to be done to
accomplish effective regulation. The prin-
ciples upon which the government pro-
ceeded were stated by the President In his
message of December, 1902
Three Practical Statutes
After long consideration. Congress passed
three practical statutes: On the 18th Of
February, 1908, an act to expedite hear
ings in suits in enforcement of the anti
trust act; on the 14th Of February, 1908
the act creating a new Department Of
Commerce and Labor with a bureau Of
corporations, having authority to secure
systematic information regarding the Or
ganization and operation OF corporations
engaged in interstate commerce; ana on
the 10th of February. 1903. an act enlargo
commission and of the courts, to deal with
secret rebates in transportation charges
which are the chief means by which the
trusts crush out their smaller compeu-
tors.
The Attorney General has gone on in
the same practical way, not to talk about
the trusts, but to proceed against the
trusts by law for their regulation. In sep
arate suits fourteen of the great railroads
of the country have been restrained by
Injunction from giving illegal rebates to
the favored shippers, who by means OF
them were driving out the smaller ship
business Of the country, The beef trust
was put under Injunction. The officers
Of the railroads engaged In the cotton
carrying pool, affecting all that great in
dustry of the south. were indicted and
have abandoned their combination. The
Northern Securities Company which under
took by combining in one ownership the
capital stocks OF the Northern Pacinc ano
competition in the northwest, has been
destroyed by a vigorous prosecution ex-
pedited and brought to speedy and ct.
fective conclusion in the Supreme Court
under the act of February III, 1903.
Interstate Commerce Rights.
The right of the interstate commerce COM
mission to compel the production of books
end papers has been established by the
Judgment Of the Supreme Court in q suit
against the coal-carrying roads. Other
suits have been brought and other indict-
ments have been found and other trusts
have been driven back within legal bounds.
No investment in lawful business has been
jeopardized, no fair and honest enterprise
has been injured; but 1t Is certain that
wherever the constitutional power of the
national government reaches, trusts are be-
ing practically regulated and curbed within
lawful bounds as they never have been be-
fore. and the men of small capital are find
ing in the efficiency and skill Of the ma
tional Department of Justice a protection
they never had before against the crushing
effect Of unlawful combinations
The postal service has been extended and
improved. It's revenues have increased from
SIG 600 600 in 1895 to 500, 600 GOO in 1890, and
$144 600 600 in 1904. In dealing with these
vast sums, a few cases Of peculation, tri-
fling in amount and by subordinate officers,
have occurred there as they occur In every
business. Neither fear nor favor, nor po-
Iitical or personal influence has awaited to
protect the wrongdoers. Their acts have
been detected investigated, laid bare; they
have been dismissed from their places,
prosecuted criminally, indicted, many of
them tried, and many of them convicted.
The abuses in the carriage of second-class
mail matter have been remedied. The rural
free delivery has been widely extended. 1t
is wholly the creation of republican admin
istration. The last democratic Postmaster
General declared 1t impracticable. The
first administration of Mckinley proved the
contrary.
The Department of Agriculture has been
brought to a point of efficiency and prac-
teal benefit never before known.
Benefits to the Farmers.
The systematic collection and publication
Of information regarding the magnitude and
conditions of our crops is mitigating the
injury done by speculation to the farmers
market.
To increase the profit Of the farmers
toll, to protect the farmers product and
extend his market and to improve the con-
ditions of the farmers life; to advance the
time when America shall raise within her
own limits every product of the soil con-
sumed by her people. as she makes within
manufacture-these have been cardinal OBJ
jeots Of republican administration; and we
show a record of practical things done to-
ward the accomplishment of these objects
never before approached
Four years ago we held the Island of
Cuba by military occupation. The OPPOSE
ton charged, and the people Of Cubas be-
pledge of April 20, $685. that when the