The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-31
AFTER BEEF TRUST.
Kansas Senate Proposes to Take a
Hand in the Game.


If the provisions of the resolution
introduced in the senate Monday
afternoon by Senator Noftzger are
carried out the beef trust Will be in
Vestigated.
The resolution provides that the at
torney general shall make an investi-
cation and if he finds the Kansas anti
trust law is being violated to bring
criminal action in the courts against
the trusts.
The resolution is as follows:
Whereas. BY chapter 265 of the
laws of 1897, and by chapter 29S of
the laws of 1899, all trusts, combina-
tons and agreements in restraint of
trade. and to prevent full and free
competition. are prohibited, and,
Whereas. 1t is a matter of general
and common knowledge that there
has existed in this state a cOmbiua-
ton among the various packing
houses located in Wyandotte county
and elsewhere in the state to depress
the market value of cattle and hogs
and advance the price of beef and
pork, which has resulted most disas-
trOusly to the stock business of this
state, and has compelled the consumer
to pay an unjust and unreasonable
price for the necessaries of life; and,
Whereas, Fun and plenary power
Is given by the laws of this state to
prosecute and bring to justice those
who have so iagrantly violated the
laws enacted for the protection of the
people of the state of Kansas; and
Whereas, The several district courts
of this state, and the judges thereof
have jurisdiction. and it is their duty
upon good cause shown, and upon writ
ten application of the county attorney or
the attorney general. to cause to be is
sued by the clerk of said court, sub
poenas for such witnesses as may be
named IN the application of the county
attorney or the attorney general, and
to cause the same to be served by the
sheriff of the county where such sub
poena is issued; and such witnesses are
compelled to appear before such court
or judge at the time and place set forth
in the subpoena. and are compelled to
testify as to any knowledge they may
have of the violations of any of the
provisions Of said acts hereinbefore re-
ferred to; and
Whereas. The platform Of the Re
publican party upon which President
Theodore Roosevelt was elected presi-
dent of the United States denOunces all
combinations, agreements and trusts;
and
Whereas, The president has instruct
ed the department of justice of the
United States to examine into and
prosecute all persons violating what is
known as the Sherman antitrust act,
ard
Whereas. It is the duty of the state
of Kansas to aid and assist in the en-
forcement, not only Of its own laws.
but the laws of the federal government
against combinations and trusts. which
are so detrimental 10 the best interests
of the people Of this state and coun-
try;
therefore be it resolved by the sen
ate. the house concurring:
''First-That the attorney general of
the state of Kansas. be and he is here
by authorized and instructed to forth
with invoke the remedies provided by
the laws of the state Of Kansas, and to
institute an investigation before the
district courts or the judges thereof.
for the purpose of ascertaining all the
facts connected with the alleged beef