The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-31

lsHl-tHe tOTmeT keeping the Bold
standard, which they wanted, and the
latter securing the larger volume OF
money for which they contended. We
who favor bimetalism are satisfied with
our victory IL the friends OF mono-
metallism are satisfied with theirs, and
we can invite them 70 a contest OF zeal
and endurance In the effort 10 restore
10 the people the rights which have
been gradually taken from them by
the trusts
ON THE TRUSTS.
Discussing the trusts. Mr.. Bryan said:
I'VE need not quarrel over remedies. We
must show ourselves willing 10 support
any remedy which promises substantial
advantage 10 the peops In their warfare
against monopoly. Something is 20 be ex-
pected from tho enforcement OF the Grim
inal clause OF the Sherman Antitrust
law. but this law must be enforced. not
against all trusts and the aim must be TO
imprison the guilty, not merely 10 recov-
er fine. What is a fine OF thousand
dollars, or even ten thousand dollars. 10
a trust which makes hundred thousand
dollars while the trial is IN progress? II
the criminal clause Is not going 10 be en-
forced IL ought 10 be repealed.
IF imprisonment is too severe a pun
ishment for the eminently respectable
gentlemen who rob so,O0o.0 600 OF people of
hundreds OF millions OF dollars annually
the language OF the statute ought 20 be
changed. for nothing is more calculated 10
breed anarchy than the failure TO enforce
the law against rich criminals, while IL IL
rigidly enforced against petty offenders.
'It Is worth while TO consider whether
a blow may not be struck at the trusts
by a law making II illegal for the same
person 10 act as director OF or officer OF
two corporations which deal with each
other or are engaged in the same general
business
"A stu more far-reaching remedy was
proposed by the Democratic platform OF
1900. namely. the requiring OF corpora
tions TO take out a Federal license before
engaging In interstate commerce. This
remedy Is simple, easily applied and COM
prehensive.
"The requiring OF license would not
embarrass legitimate corporations-it
would scarcely inconvenience them-while
IL would confne the predatory corpora
tions 10 the state OF their origin. Just as
a license 10 sell liquor leaves the posses
sor OF the license TO sell only in accord
ance with the laws OF the state In which
he resides so corporate license granted by
a federal commission would not Interfere
with the right OF each state 70 regulate
foreign corporations doing business with
I'm its borders.
There never was a time when tariff
reform could be more easily entered up
on for the manufacturers by selling
abroad cheaper than at home. as many Of
them do. have not only shown their in
gratitude towards those who build the
tariff wall for them. but they have dem
onstrated their ability 10 sell in competi-
tion with the world. The high tariff has
long been burden 10 the consumer In
the United States and II is growing more
and more a menace 10 our foreign com
merce because IL arouses resentment and
provokes retaliation.
1.-The railroad question is also inter-
woven with the trust question. Nearly
all the private monopolies have received
rebates or secured other advantages over
titnrs-Ah equality or treat
ment at the hands OF the railroads would
go far toward crippling the trusts and
rejoice that the president has had the
courage to press this question upon con-
gress. While the law. as II was finally
distorted by the senate, Is not all that
could be wished. II deserves fair trial.
Rate regulation was absolutely neces-
sary and IL furnishes some relief from the
unbearable conditions which previously
existed; but we must not forget that the
vesting OF this enormous power In the
hands OF a commission appointed by the
president introduces a new danger. II an
appointive board ,Aas the power 10 fix
rates and can by the exercise OF that
mower increase or decrease by hundreds
OF millions OF dollars the annual revenues
OF the railroads, will not the railroads
feel that they have large pecuniary In
terest in the president friendly 20 fht
railroads.