The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-11
ion as 20 be tantamount TO rejection.
THE TRUST EVIL.

ION as 20 be tantamount TO rejection.
THE TRUST EVIL.
So much for one feature of our foreign
policy. Now for one feature OF our domes-
tic policy. one OF the main features OF
our national governmental policy should
be the effort TO secure adequate and ef-
fectiVe supervisory and regulatory con-
troll over all great corporations doing an
interstate business.
Much OF the legislation dimed 20 pre-
vent the evils connected with the enor-
nous development OF these great corpora
tions has been Ineffective, partly because
II aimed at doing too much, and partly
because Il did not confer on the govern
ment really efficient method OF holding
any guilty corporation 20 account.
Under the present laws we have In the
last four years accomplished much that is
OF substantial value; but the difficulties I'm
the way have been so great as 10 prove
that further legislation is advisable
Many corporations show themselves hon
orably desirous 10 obey the law; but, un-
fortunately. some corporations and very
wealthy ones at that. exhaust every ef-
fort which can be suggested by the high
est ability. or secured by the most Law
ish expenditure OF money, 10 defeat the
purposes OF the laws on the statute
books.
CONDUCT Is PERILoUs.
Not only the men in control Of these
corporations, but the business world gen
orally. ought TO realize that such conduct
Is In every way perilous, and constitutes
a menace 10 the nation generally and es-
peCally 10 the people of great property.
The violations Of the law known as the
antitrust law, which was meant 10 meet
the conditions thus arising, have more
and more become confined 20 the larger
combinations. tho very ones against
whose policy OF monopoly and oppression
the policy OF the law was chiefly directed.
Many OF these combinations by secret
methods and by protracted litigation are
still unwisely seeking to avoid the conse-
quences OF their illegal action.
The government has very properly exer-
cised moderation In attempting 10 enforce
the criminal provisions OF the statute;
but IL has become our conviction that In
some cases. such as that of at least GER
tain OF the beef packers recently In
dicted In Chicago, It is impossible longer
10 show leniency. Moreover, II the exist
ing law proves 20 be inadequate. so that
under established rules OF evidence clear
violations may not he readily proved, de-
fiance OF the law must inevitably lead 10
further legislation. This legislation may
be more drastic than ] would prefer II
So Il must be distinctly understood that
II will be because Of the stubborn de-
termination of some of the great COM
binations in striving 10 prevent the en-
forcement OF the law as IL stands, by
every device. legal and illegal
NATIo,aL SUPERVISION.
Some great corporations resort 20 every
technical expedient 10 render enforcement
of the law impossible. and their OBJ
structive tactics and refusal TO acquiesce
In the policy Of the law have taxed to
the utmost the machinery OF the depart
ment OF justice. In my judgment con-
gress may well inquire whether IL should
not seek other means for carrying into
enect the law. l believe that all cor
porations engaged in Interstate commerce
should be under the supervision of the
national government.
do not believe in taking steps hastily
or rashly and IL may he that all that In
necessary in the m'Yediate future is 10
pass an interstate commerce bill con-
ferring upon some branch OF the ex-
ecWive government the power of effective
action 10 remedy the abuses in connection
with railway transportation. But In the
end and In my judgment at a time not
very far off, we shall have TO. or at least
we shall find that we ought to, take fur
ther action as regards all corporations
doing interstate business.
The enormous Increase in Interstate
trade, resulting from the industrial de-
velopment OF the last quarter OF a cen
tury, makes IL proper that the federal
government should so far as may be
necessary 10 carry into effect its national
policy. assume a degree OF administrative
control OF these great corporations.
It may well be that we shall find that
the only effective way OF exercising this
supervision Is 20 require all corporations
engaged I'm interstate commerce to pro-
duce proof satisfactory. say 10 the de-
partment OF commerce. that they are not
parties 20 any contract or combination
or engaged In any monopoly In interstate
trade In violation OF the antitrust law,
and that their conduct on certain other
specified points is proper, and moreover.
that these corporations shall agree with
penalty OF forfeiture of their right to
engage In such commerce, TO furnish any
evidence OF any kind as TO their trade
between the states whenever so required
by the department of commerce.
PRESIDENT DEPARTS.
The president finished speaking at II 80
After the singing OF America" by the
audience. the president at once started
for his carriage. The party embarked
on the special trolley car at the road gate
and 30 minutes later went on board the
special train at Lakewood. President
Underwood OF the Erie accompanied the
president