New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-28
TRUST PROSECUTIONS.
attorney General KnOr Tells of
Merger and Coal Case PROCEEDINGS.

Washington. April 27.-Attorney General Knox to-
day transmitted to the House replies the two
resolutions OF inquiry introduced by Mr.. Williams
OF Mississippi. relative to trusts
First replying to the question to whether any
criminal prosecutions had been begun by him
against persons involved in the decision OF the Su-
pTeme Court OF the United States in the Northern
Securities case guilty Of violating the by
entering into combinations in restraint Of trade the
Attorney General says:
have the honor to say that no criminal prosecu-
tons have been instituted against the persons
do not deem it compatible with the public interest
TO comply with the resolution.
The other resolution asks IL any investigation
was made by the Department OF Justice of the
called Anthracite Coal Trust. consisting OF the
coal carrying railroads. The Attorney General
plies to this as follows:
have the honor to say that during the time of
the anthracite coal strike. the Department Of JUS
tice began an Investigation for the purpose Of
terminng whether the anthracite coal business was
violation Of the Antitrust act OF 1890. This inves
LEGATION had not proceeded far until I dscovere!
its existence had been adroity concealed and that
81 II was to be established would largely depend
chain OF circumstances which. in tbs aggregate.
IN view OF the fact that this department pos
sessed powers 10 compel the production OF books
and papers to examine witnesses under oath. I
opened up ths subject through representative Of
visabilftv OF the Inferstste Commerce Commission
making a general investigation into the general
question 10 whether the anthracite coal roads
were engaged IN pooling. charging eXorbitant rates
Tor the transportation Of coal preventing the coal
from reaching its natural markets. and. in short.
OF obtaining through the powers of the commission
evidence Of the facts the suggestion being that the
commission should in this respect and within its
functions repeal Its action which led TO the de-
velopment Of the facts upon which the government
based its against the Joint Traffic Association
and. later. against the Northern Securities Com
panv.
About this time a complain. made before
the Interstate Commerce Commission, raising tho
questions above referred 10. During the progress
OF the hearing before the commission upon this
complaint several witnesses refused TO produce
papers and answer questions which the commission
considered and ruled TO be Eermane to the inquiry.
whereupOn. under direction OF the Attorney
General, proceedings were begun in the United
States Circuit Court IN New-York. for the purpose
OF compelling the coal companies TO produce papers
and answer questions. The Circuit Court dismissed
sion whereupon appeal taken hy tho
United States under the act OF February Ia. 1893.
directly TO the Supreme Court OF the United States
on uO.fG1 - the Attorney General the case
advanced and argued by Z representative Of the
Department Of Justice and special assistant at
torney at the instance OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission This appeal was decided in favor Of
duction Of the testimony, and as | am informed
the commission is about TO the hearing,
which. when completed, viii lay before the De- !
Dartnent OF Justice. in connection with other evil
oence IL has gathered itself. and has been fur
nished TO IL by sundry persons, ell tho available
Information IN relation to the alleged combna- |
ton.
Further than this DO not deem # compatible
with the public interest to comply with the resolu-
ton