The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-12-26
(From Mr.. RooseveIt's Message.

(From Mr.. RooseFeIt's Message.1
The inheritance Of enactiIg into
law the particular bill in question is
further increased by the fact that the
government has now definitely begun
a, POLICY of resorting to the criminal
law in those trust and interstate COM
MERGE cases where such course Of
fers reasonable chance of success.
At first, as was proper, every effort
was made to enforce these laws by
civil proceedings, but it has become
increasingly evident that the action
OF the government in finally deciding
In certain cases. to undertake Grim
iEal proceedings was justiflanle; and
though there have been some con-
spicuous failures in these cases. we
Lave had many successes, which have
undoubtedly had a deterrent effect
upon evil doors. whether the penalty
inflicted was in the shape of fine or
lmprfsonment-and penalties of botn
Kinds have already been inflicted by
the courts. OF course, where the
Judge can see his way to inflict the
penalty of Imprisonment the deter.
rent effect of the punishment on other
cnenders is increased; tut sufficiently
heavy fines accomplish much.
tFrom the Madison Square Speech. J
While men may differ as to the rel
Gtive Importance Of issues, and while
the next congress will largely shape
the lines upon which the next presi-
DENTAL campaign will be fought. ]
THINK 1T is SAFE TO SAY THAT
AT PRESENT THE PARAMOUNT
ISSUE IN THE MINDS OF A LARGE
! MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE is
THE TRUST ISSUE.
l congratulate President Roosevelt
upon the steps which he has taken
TO enforce the antitrust law and my
grahtcation is not lessened by the
fact that he has followed the demo
cratic rather than the republican plat
form in every advance he has made
IL has been a great embarrassment 70
him that the platform upon which he
was elected was filed with praises
OF the republican partys record
rather than with promises of reform
even the enthusiastic support given
MIN by the democrats has enabled
the champions of the trusts to taun,
him with following democratic ,ead6r
ship. He has probably gone as far
! as he could go without mourning the
hostility of the leaders OF his own
party. The trouble is that the repub
llcan Darty is not in a position to an
Oily effective and thorough-goins re
forms. because it has built I'D through
special legislation the very abnso-
which need to be eradicated.
Before any intelligent action car
! he taken aeainst%the trusts we must
rave definition of trust. Because
no corporation has an absolute and
complete monopoly of any importan;
product, the aDologists for the trust
sometimes insist that there are in
reality no trusts. Others insist that
it is impossible to legislate against
such trusts that may exist without
doing injury to legitimate Business
For the purpose of this discussion II is
sufficient to draw the line mt the pojnt
/ where comnetition ceases to be !ef
fective and to designate as a trust any
CORPORATION which controls so much
OF the product of any article that Il
en- fix the terms and conditions OF
sale.
! Legislation which prevents monop
oily not only does not iuiure legiii
mate business. but actually protec-s
legitimate business from injury We
are indebted to the young Rockefeller
for an illustration which makes this