The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-10
Spirit of the Press
Paul Morton's Double Role.

Washington Post.
In 1901 and 1902 Mr.. Paul Morton,
one of the vice presidents of the San
ia Fe Railroad Company, admitted to
the Interstate Commerce Commission
that the contract between the Santa
Fe and the Colorado Fuel and Iron
Company was illegal, and that the San
Ia Fe Company knew it was illegal
when it was made. He admitted. also.
that rebates in violation of law had
been given by the railroads to the beef
trust.
In February last Attorney General
Moody, with a flourish of trumpet,
announced the appointment of two
distinguished lawyers for the purpose
of investigating the violation of the
anti-rebate law by the Santa Fe and
Colorado Fuel and Iron companies.
Mr.. Morton having become secretary
of the Navy, and public attention hav-
ing been sharply drawn to the neces-
sity of Furnishing violations of the an
ti-rebate law, it was declared by the
Department of Justice that the case
against the Santa Fe would be pushed
vigorously, without regard to personal
or political influence.
At the opening of the international
Railway Congress last week Secretary
Morton addressed the delegates in be-
half of the President of the United
States. He discussed the evils Of re-
bates and determinations, and voiced
the determination of the President
that impartial justice should be dealt
out to the public and the railroads.
In the three months that have pass
ed since the appointment of attorneys
to investigate the violations of law in
which Mr.. Morton was involved as a
high official of the Santa Fe Company,
the only intimation that has reached
the public of any action has been the
rumor that the special attorneys were
on the point of resigning because they
were prevented from making a vigor-
Gus investigation and prosecution.
The inference of bad faith on the part
of the Department of Justice was Wig
orously denied. Still, so far as tan
gible results are visible, the presump-
ton is strong that the enthusiasm OF
the investigators has been quietly and
effectually neutralized.
When Mr.. Morton became the
mouthpiece of the President on the
question of rebate evils he invited the
direct and searching gaze of the coun-
try. The anomaly of his position was
brought out in glaring colors Under
which flag does Paul Morton fight
Does he believe in furnishing olations
of the anti-rebate law Is he in earn
est, as a lieutenant of the President,
in seeing that the administration
makes good ?" If he is, he would
make an invaluable witness in the San
ia Fe case Why is he not called upon
to tell what he knows?
The activity of the government
agents in investigating the oil, beef,
and tobacco trusts is decidedly notice
able at present. No. one. so far as we
are aware, has yet raised the question
of the good faith of the government in
searching for evidence. But nobody
is fooled, either, by side issues. The
public is universally aware that spe-
cific. admitted, confessed case of vio-
lation of the anti-rebate law exists.
Until that case is investigated and
pressed to a conclusion, regardless OF
persons and politics. the administra-
ton will not have gained the absolute
confidence of the people as to its fear
lessness and good faith.