New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-03
HANDSOFF IN BEEF STRIKE
PRESIDENT NOT TO ACT.
Meat Trust AIready in the Laos
Chtches-Status of the Case.
rFRon THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


Washington, Aug. 2.-Despte numerous and
fanciful Tun'ors regarding the President ana the
Beef Trust the Chicago strike and the Colorado
labor difficulties. It may be said authoritati'el3
that the President does not intend to take aH-
has not contemplated taking any action regard
ing any Of these affairs.
AS for the prosecution Of The Beef Trust
there is no occasion for the President 70 act
Months ago Attorney General Knox Instituted
legal action against this combination, based on
It's alleged violation OF the Sherman act. The
suit was brought in Chicago and took the form
OF az application for injunction against the
larger packers restraining them from jointly
fixing The prices OF beef on the hoof ana on the
block. The injunction prayed for was granted
by Judge Grosscup. Of Chicago. The trust en-
tered an appeal. and the case Is now on the
docket of the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the
Injunction stands. and so far IS that case is
concerned il is the packers move.
1t has been charged however. that the trust
is violating the Injunction, and the special
agents of the Department of Commerce and
Labor undertook. some time ago, to ascertain
the truth Of the allegation. What the results
Of their investigation. which is still in progress.
have been is not known, but 1t may be assumed
that they have not discovered legal proof of
such violation Such proof would be promptly
submitted TO Judge Crosscup. VINO would. if the
packers for contempt OF court.
1t is declared by those who know Judge Gross
cup, moreover that he is not the man TO permit
any tTifing with injunction granted in his
court, and that the District Attorney able
70 valid proofs OF violation of that IN
junction the judge would insist upon his so
doing and would make example of the cor
pora tons which de1ed his order. What effort
the District Attorney, who obtained the inJuuc-
90 Of viz
ton Of that Injunction is not known in Wash
!ngton, but attention is called to the vast
difference between moral evidence and legal
evidence, and those who have attempted TO
secure satisfactory proof of trust combinations
declare that it IS attended with almost insur
mounta BILE difficulties 1t IS added however.
that, in the case Of murder, II will OUT in
time If a violation exists. After the granting OF
an injunction the persons enJolned, II unwilling
comply with its restraint, will take extreme
precautions TO cover up their evasion of the
order OF the court, but III time they grow care
less and then comes the opportunity of those
whose business il IS TO establish the existence of
such violation. In the mean time only patience
and vigilance can be exercised.
The above is virtually the explanation given
10 the President by the Attorney General at
to-day's Cabinet meeting. The President had up
10 that time been unaware of the status Of
the beef trust prosecution. and moved by
the numerous reports connecting his name with
IL TO inquire Of Mr.. Moody the facts in the case
1t is by means improbable that some time
In the not distant future. possibly when the At
torney General goes UP 70 Vermont this month";
he will incorporate in public speech the ex-
PLANTATION of the status OF The beef trust prose-
cution which he to-day gave 10 the President.
Mr.. Moody declared to-day that everything
possible was being done 10 carry the prosecu- /
ton 10 successful issue, but that il a
routine case in which there occasion for !
the President 10 interfere. and the President ex-
pressed satisfaction thai he coulG rest content /
that the law would be enforced without effort /
his part.