The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-04-28
HOUSE GOT
TRUST TIPS
FROM KNOX

Washington, April 1--Attorney Gener-
al Knox yesterday transmitted to the
house replies 20 the two resolutions OF
inquiry introduced by Mr.. Williams
CAfiss) relative TO trusts.
First, replying TO the question as to
whether any criminal prosecutions had
been begun by him against persons In
voived IN the decision OF the supreme
court OF ths United States in the Northern
Securities case. as guilty OF violating the
laws by entering into combinations In re-
straint OF trade. the attorney general
says:
ct have the honor TO say that no Grim
inai prosecutions have been Instituted
against the persons referred 10 in the res
olution. and further than this ] do not
deem Il compatible with the public inter-
est to comply with the resolution"
The other resolution asks II any investi-
ration ever was made by the department
OF Justice OF tho so-called Anthracite Coal
Trust, consisting OF the anthracite coal
carrying railroads. The attorney general
replies to this as follows: =,
''I have the honor TO say that during
the time OF the anthracite coal strike
the department OF justice began an inves-
tigation for the purpose OF determining
whether tho anthracite coal business was
conducted through q combination or con-
spiracy in violation OF the antitrust act
OF 1890
This investigation had not proceeded
far until discovered that II such a com
bination existed, the evidence OF Its exist
ence had been adroitiy concealed and that
II II was TO be established IL would largely
depend upon the governments ability to
secure evidence on chain or circum-
stances, which. in the aggregate. would
establish a combination.
"In view OF the fact that this depart
ment possessed no powers to compel the
production of books and papers to exam
ine witnesses under oath. opened up the
subject through a representative or the
department Of justice with representa-
tive OF the Interstate commerce commits
sion as 10 the advisabiity OF the inter
state commence commission making
general investigation into the general
question as TO whether the anthracite
coal roads were engaged In pooling.
charging exorbitant rates for the trans
portation 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.
that the suggestion being that the COM
mission should In this respect and within
its functions. repeal its action which led
20 the development OF the facts upon
which the government based It's case
against the Joint Traffic association and
later against the Northern Securities
company
About this time a complaint was made
before the interstate commerce commits
sion raising the question above referred
to-
The attorney general adds that this was
decided on appeals In favor ofthe powers
OF the commission 10 compel the produc-
tion of the testimony. and says: 'As
am informed the commission Is about to
renew the hearing. which. when COM
pleted, will lay before tho department OF
Justice all the available information I'm re-
lation TO the alleged combination.
Further than this do not deem II
compatible with tho public interest to
comply with the resolution