The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-05
MISUNDERSTANDING THE PRESIDENT.

For a bill that never stood a ghost Of a
chance Of passing Senator Foraker's bill to
amend the antitrust law has attracted un-
deserved attention. This is mainly due 10
the fact that it was seized upon by the
Democratic press as a pretext for partisan
Misrepresentation and by enemies of the
President to place him in a false position.
The bin is very short one. Aside from its
title and enacting clause it reads as fol-
lows:
That nothing I'm the act to regulate COM
merce, approved Feb. 4. 1857, or in the act
10 protect foreign trade and commerce
against unlawful restraints and mOnopolieS,
approved July 2, 1880, or in any act amenda-
tory or either of said acts. shall hereafter
apply 10 foreign commerce, or shall pro-
hlbif- any act or any contract in restraint
or trade or commerce among the several
states, provided that such restraint be rea-
scnable. or shall hereafter authorize i'm
prlsonment or forfeiture of property as
punishment for any violation of said acts,
except for perjury or contempt of court.
The Democratic press Immediately
jumped to the conclusion that the bill was
an administration measure and indicative Of
a change of front by the President. They
construed it showing a desire to placate
the trusts by materially limiting the scope
and effectiveness of the antitrust laws.
The New York Stats Zeitung Oemocratic)
described the bill as sweeping away all
the limitations which previous antitrust
laws have attempted TO establish. and said:
And this with the appreciation of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, seeking TO assure himself
of Wall streets support. Either two years
ago he spoke contrary to his own convic-
h.f ffof., ", ar.Sla
to win the trusts to himself However one
may look upon it, this much is clear-that
never yet has the presidency been sought
with greater demagogism.
The New York Sun. independent and anti
Roosevelt. approved the principle of the bill
but thought the time and manner of its in
PRODUCTION would prove damaging to Mr..
Roosevelt. 1T Is humiliating," said the
Sun. ito reflect that the legislation of the
country has been so perverted to the ends
and uses Of demagogues that such a meas
ure should be necessary to set it straight;
bit It is still more humiliating TO have to
confess that the remedy is now vouchsafed
only from discreditable and unworthy
Motives
That there was no foundation whatever
for these views appears first from a state
meat by Senator Foraker, and second by a
prompt and emphatic denial by Attorney
General Knox, speaking for the President,
that the bill was an administration meas
ure. Senator Foraker says he drafted the
bill about year ago, but held it up until
the Northern Securities case, which had
then been brought, should be decided. He
assumes the entire responsibility for it and
thinks it would make the antitrust laws
more conformable to the common law and
to the English practice than they now are.
Whether this is the case or not need not be
discussed at present.
When Attorney General Knox was asked
if the bill was introduced with the knowl-
edge and approval of the administration he
rcrlled: Absolutely no." He then went
on TO state what the effect and operation of
the bill would be and wherein they would
depart from the views and policy of the ad-
miristration. The two statements of Sen
ator Foraker and Attorney General Knox
prove beyond doubt or question that the
Fcraker bill not only was not an admins
tration measure, but that it was a distinct
departure from the Presidents views.
AS Senator Foraker is an avowed friend
of the President it is not to be supposed
that he intended to bring criticism on the
President by introducing his bill, nor is be
responsible for the fact that it was distort-
ed to that end. That it was seized upon as
a basis of partisan Misrepresentation shows
the eagerness of the Presidents enemies to
find some charge against him that will
stick This one did not more than others,
and it remains to be seen if the papers that
have used il will retract and apologize.