The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-21
ROOSEVELT ON TRU- rs
Senator Knox Explains the Position
of the President.

New York. Oct. Ex-senator Philan-
der c. Knox, former United States at
torney general, was rendered a recep-
ton here last night by the Union
League club. In his address he review
ed the attitude OF the Republican par
ty toward the great corporations and
save in detail the situation as it con-
fronted President Roosevelt at the time
the question of legality of the Nortn-
ern Securities was brought up. The
president did not hesitate long, he said,
in reaching conclusion and announc-
ed that the position or the administra-
ton was that the power of congress to
regulate commerce with foreign ma
tionS and among the several states and
with Indian tribes, was plenary and
instrumentality. In the course of Leg
1sIatiVe procedure, the speaker said,
he, as attorney general was asked by
the chairman of the Judiciary commit
tee in the respective branches of con-
gress for suggestions as to what might
be desirable in the way of further leg
islation before consideration was be-
gun OK the various bills introduced in
view OF the presidents conception of
the scope of congressional power. These
requests, he said, were brought at once
to the presidents attention. Now
here was an opportunity" Mr.. Knox
continued. for a president who de-
lighted to make inroads upon the con-
stitution to indulge himself to his
hearts content. After he had closed
his eyes and picked at rand0n1 from
the 81 bills and resolutions then before
congress he would likely have drawn
one that violated the constitution in
several places. That defect character
lied many of them.
4 had the honor to be disputed by
the president to express the conclusions
he had reached and did SO. 1t was
stated to be the presidents view that
the end desired was that combination of
capital should be regulated and not
destroyed and that while efectual meas
ures should be taken to correct the ten
dency toward monopoly even the sug-
gested legislation regulating the BUSH
ness interests of the country beyond the
point necessary to accomplish that end
was a thing to be avoided.
THAT it was believed that a monop-
oily in any industry would be impossi-
BILE in this country where money is
abundant and cheap and in the hands
or within the reach of keen and cap
able men, If competition were assured
a fair and open field and protected
against unfair, artificial and discrinl-
mating practices.
Judge Parker" the speaker went on,
"sayS leave the trusts to the common
law, which means leave them alone as
the common law furnishes no remedy
to prevent com binations in restraint of
trade while the Democratic platform
denounces rebates and Determinations
by the transportation companies as the
most potent agency in promoting and
strengthening these unlawful conspir-
acies against trade.
when you consider what has been
done since January, 1903, you can I'M
derstand the Democracy is only now
approving that which the Republican
party has so effectually accomplished.
eff no other act looking to the preser-
walton of constitutional power can be
placed to President Roosevelt's credit
than his acceptance of the challenge to
the national power involved in the
northern securities device his name will
be honored by those who realize that
the constitutional power of congress to
regulate national commerce is the cor
ner stone upon which national existence
rests"