The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-12
Sage of Esopus Ensrges from
 His SecIuSiOn
SAYS TAFT IS INACCURATE
Leaves the Inference That Trust Pros. cautions Are Under New Laws, Whereas No New Law
 Whatever Is Involved.

New York July 11.-Former Judge Alton B. Parker, in a statement given out to- day, took issue with some of the utter ances of Secretary of War Taft in the speech delivered at Greensboro, N C., by MT Taft last Monday. Judge Parker de- cares that the secretary in his speech sought to have the public draw the infer- ence that the recent prosecutions of al- legged illegal combinations are due to new statutes. To this Judge Parker takes ex- ception, and to support his contention he quotes from his letter of acceptance and a speech subsequently, delivered dur ing the last presidential campaign
 In both speech and letter Judge Parker is quoted as saying that the laws then on the statute book were entirely ade- quate if enforced.
 Judge Parker In his statement says:
 Inference Is Incorrect.
 ''The inference that Secretary Taft would have the public draw from his ut- terances is that these things are due 10 new statutes; that the vindication which the law Is now receiving is due to con- gressional action since 1904 But that is not so. No one of the successful prosecutions for which the existing administration is now entitled to credit Is based on any Lew statutes. Every single one of them drawn to this date rests solely upon law as 1t stood In 1904. and 1t should not be lost sight of by a discriminating public that the law could have been enforced in 1904, in 1903 and in 1902 just as well as today. Had if been. the wrongs for which these people have suffered would not have so multiplied"
 Speech Was Not Accurate.
 Secretary Tafts speech at Greensboro, N. C. says Judge Parker. was Inter- esting throughout. but 1t cannot be said that it was accurate throughout | shall only refer to the statement in which he alluded to the position taken by me In the campaign of 1904 in substance and in effect that we have laws enough to stop every corporate abuse; that ali that is lacking Is an administration disposed 10 enforce the law.
 "G said in the letter of acceptance under the title of Trust remedies:
 T pointed out in my early response the remedy which In my judgment can ef- fectually he applied against monopolisg and the assurance was given that if exist ing laws. including both statute and com mon law. proved inadequate ontrary 10 my expectation. favor such further leg islation with constitutional Imi i;ions as will best promote and safe guard the iu- terests of all the people
 "I emphasized the same thought on other occasions in public speech. I reit- erated 1t in speech on Ieffcrsnn's jay. 1905. in which I said
 Could Have Been Eliminated.
 The plain truth is there has becn 10 time during the past eight Yclrs. since the abuses alleged became fragrant. when they could not have been eliminated. Nothing has been so much needed as rigid. honest, unyieldng enforcement of the law. both civil adJ criminal. But iii- stead of going on with the enforcement of the law against rebates by putting the railroad officials responsible for them be- hind prison bars, precisely as we do other malfactors, their misconduct Is made an excuse for further concentration of pow CT in the federal government.
 "It Is expected by the administration and railroad officials who openly consent to the movement. as well as by those who are ostensiby opposed to It, that the peo- ple in their just indignation at the wrongs done to the many for the benefit of the few will lose sight of the danger of 70 vast a centralization of power until 1t is too late to check t. But we should never forget that the safety or our institutions Is involved in every such movement. and instead of submitting to 1t. should insist that when a trust railroad has vio- lated the criminal law the place for the guilty Is in jail. or In the penitentiary rot in the cabinet or in the board rooms of great railroads We do not defend or excuse wrongs but must insist upon the truth of the maxim that two wrongs do not make a right
 No Steps Were Taken.
 "tJntil after this last utterance no visi- ble action had been taken by an admin istration that had been in power about four years to check corporate and trust abuses by an appeal to the criminal courts. After that such steps were taken.
 "The administration has now discovered not only that there Is enforcihle law against the giving of rebates and law ade- quate to check Illegal combinations. but that the persons engaged in It's violation can be punished for it.
 "The inference that Secretary Taft would have the public draw from his ut terance Is that these things are duo to the new statutes: that the vindication which the law Is now receiving Is due to congressional action since 1904. Bnt that is not so Not one Of the successful prosecutions for which the existing ad- mlnstration Is now entitled to credit Is based on any new statutes. There was some excuse for the efforts made by the partsans of the administration In the year 1904 to create the impression that nothing could he done without new law for an admission of the fact would have satisfied the public that criticism leveled against 1t was justified. hut there is no excuse at this time for the claim of Sec retary Taft that my assertion in 1904 that existing law Is adequate to put an end to all trust and corporate abuses was in- accurate.
 "The decisions of the United States courts both civil and criminal during the past year are appealed 10 as decisive of | hot hoy at1 1rNF Taft or myself Is right
 American Lecturer In Berlin.