Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-24
AF1ER TOBACCO TRUST
President Said to Be DESTROYS Of
Having the Tobacco Trust
Investigated
THINKS LAWS ARE VIOLATED
The Big Monopoly May be Made an
Example of Its Bold Defiance of the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. in Possession
of the Attorney General - Misce'-
Ianeous News.

Washington. Dec 24.-The tobacco
trust will probably be prosecuted for
violation of the Sherman act. Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Attorney General
Moody are hot on the trail of this pre-
datory enterprise and will spare nc
pains to bring its operations, both In
the fields of industry and finance, to
the attention Of a federal grand jury
in either the state of New York or the
state of New Jersey The trust is or
ganized under the laws of New Jer-
sey, but it's actual headquarters are In
New York.
Mr.. Moody has in his possession an
immense amount of accurate informa-
ton pertaining to the trusts methods
of transacting business. He IS only
waiting for Special Assistant Attorney
General Garner to complete his inves-
tigation OF the trusts operations in to-
bacco growing states to file informa-
ton against the company and its Off
GERS.
inquiry IN Mdny 0Sd1eSs
Mr.. Gamers Investigations are sup
posed to cover the states of Virginia,
North Carolina, Tennessee and Ken
lucky, where tobacco growers have
been plundered by the trust year in and
year out, apparently without hope OF
relief.
Yesterday the attorney general COM
manded Mr. Garner to finish his work
in the states enumerated and transfer
his activities to the states of Wiscon-
sin, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New
York and New Jersey.
The purpose Of Mr.. Gamers investi-
cation is to ascertain the nature OF
the expressions and restraints that are
placed upon tobacco growers by the
trust. He will find that the tobacco
growers are receiving less and less
for their product from year to year,
notwithstanding that the tobacco trust
goes on enriching it's stockholders ana
officers in a manner than has no par
allel in modern finance.
Would Make Example OF Trust.
The president and attorney general
believe that an example ought to be
made of the tobacco trust; that 1t Is
the most audacious violater OF anti
trust laws now in existence, and that
its course for several years past mas
amounted to an insult and defiance Oh
the authorities.
At Yesterdays cabinet meeting Sec
rotary Wilson urged upon the presl-
dent and his associates the desirable
ity of the senate passing the pending
hill which repeals the internal revenue
fax of 6 cents per pound upon stemmed
tobacco.
The house passed this bill last WIN
ter. It's purpose is to relieve tanners Oh
a. burden of taxatfons, which, exper-
fence has shown, aids in making them
the victims of the greed Of the tobacco
trust. If they did not have to pay the
tax they would be more or less 1nde-
pendent Of the trust.
Blanc Aldrich for Delay.
The bill was referred to the finance
committee of the senate, Of which Sen
ator Aldrich, of Rhode Island, is chair
man. and thru the manipulations or Al
drich, the committee on finance has moi
been permitted to consider the bill.
The president and his cabinet will ask
Senator Aldrich to permit the commit
tee to pass upon the merits OF the
measure. and either vote it down or
report 1t to the senate.
It is a most singular fact that when
ever legislation affecting the tobacco
trust comes up in congress a host OF
earnest defenders rush in to protect
Mr.. Dukes philanthropic corporation.
This spirit Of protection was respon-
sible for the failure Of congress to re-
uuire the trust to restore their tobacco
packages to the sizes and weights
which they Appropriated previous to
the enactment Of the war tax after that
law was repealed.
Trust Maintains High Price.
The trust reduced its packages both
in weight and quantity on account of
having to pay the war tax, but after
the war taxes were repealed, they did
not restore the packages to their ORR
ginal weights and sizes, neither did
they reduce selling prices to the con-
sumner.
The administration legislative pro-
gram in connection with the interstate
commerce reform contemplates the es-
tablishment Of a national court of ar
bitration. which will be composed of
three members. These members are
to be selected for their learning, ex-
perience in public and business affairs
and especially on account Of their ia
miliarity with the complex and deli
cate relations existing between ship
pers and railroads.
In the language of a gentleman who
has been one Of the presidents advis-
ors since the subject of interstate com
merce reform was suggested to con-
gress. the fundamental idea of the au-
thors of the national board Of arbitra-
ton is to secure for it's personnel big
men in the fullest meaning of the
term.
ROCKEFELLER FOR TRUST LAWS