New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-19


-,s7t Of the power Of the so-called trusts or
-,,ropolies and for a frmer and more com
-le-e control Of them by federal or state gov
eminent. IS bearing fruit is evidenced by the
actions already begun or now pending against
Industrial corporations. Taken singIy or from
tine 10 time as reports OF the proceedings ap-
rear Fl the newspapers. these actions are not
calculated 70 strike the reader as indicative Of
any general and concerted action 10 meet
the demands Of socialists and the dissat
lsfed of al parties and classes for the curb
lrg Of the trusts. Il IS only when these actions
are Jumped. as in the foregoing table. that one
realizes what e widespread legal movement is
cn foot in which various state governments and
The federal Department Of Justice are taking
part 10 remedy what are generally conceded 10 he
the evils az the Capitalization of industrial
sc1vity In the hands OF a comparatively few
men or groups Of men. II will be seen that the
Republican administration is not only making
good us promise 10 proceed against trusts where
there IS ground 70 base case on violations Of
the Antitrust law. but is making every effort
Is evidenced by the rate bill now IN Congress
snd the authorization by that BODY Cor an in
guEy into The methods Of the railroads in han
ding coal and iron, 10 90 further than the ex-
istng ANTITRUST laws allow.
The recent decision Of the United States S,,-
Trene Court in the cases OF the government
under The antitrust law, against the Tobacco
Trust ana Western Paper Trust has cleared
sway many Texed points and obstacles which
prevented The Department Of Justice from max
ne more marked progress in similar actions
ana ne ruling OF The highest court in the land
IN these two cases is looked on as a pioneer
which viii clear away the tangIe Of underbrush
"ilcA mas prevented action by the government
II Other cases where violation Of the antitrust
lsw has been charged. The decision cleared
W three much mooted points which hitherto
have proved almost impregnabIe defences for
he trusts. The court decided that grand fury
nay examine witnesses even though the ex-
animation IS not preceded by an indictment. or
resentment, and upon this examination OF on
'lsir own knowledge, II they deem II necessary.
return an Indictment Furthermore. the court
held on this point that witnesses need not he
sPp--sed Of the nature Of the charges in cases
70 which they are called. As 10 the immunity
a~ays claimed by officials Of the trusts when
aLed as Witnesses, the court ruled that this
immunity applied only 10 individuals. not 10
corporations Further. the court decided that
books o. corporations must be produced in
court when 50 ordered by the courts.
There are now going on OF pending eleven
legal actions in various states against six So
tailed trusts. Against The Standard Oil alone
&ere are three actions. one in Missouri and one
in New York both brought by the Attorney
General NJ Missouri. and one in Kansas, brought
ny the Attorney General Of that state In adj
ciu7l The Interstate Commerce Commission is
soon % take up the relations Of STANDARD Oil
and the railroads. Last month a resolution was
Introduce iu the New Jersey Legislature. the
foster mother n all corporations, directing the
;hs charter ~ the Standard Oil Company on
socoUur If ITS violations Of various laws This
resolution Is etil in committee. and although
US defea- Is expected. IL is nevertheless another
Indication ~ the present day tendency 70 regu-
are those operations which deal in articles
vitality affecting life. Besides the suit OF the
Kansas Attorney General TO GUST the Standard
o4 from that state the Interstate Commerce
Commission Is digging into the methods Of the
'- Trust DO its Investigation Of the complaint
q the independent oil producers that the rail-
t1ads dis inmate against them in favor OF the
trust
The United States Department Of Justice IS
proceeding aEainst the so-called Beef Trust in
chicago. United States grand jury is in
'es-isatt.E j New York City the charge that
NE Sugar Trust has been obtaining rebates from
railroads -0 crush its independent competitors,
ea- L-a Attorney General Of Ohio IS prosecuting
"a action F.. prevent the sO-called Bridge Trust
-i... doing business IN that state.
~ resolution has already been introduced in
-s Ae" l.rk State Legislature calling for
.-t et-la'..l li The Ice Trust and a movement
= OF FOOT -u Ohio 10 have a grand jury take
:. mo Workings Of the refrigerator filler there.
ne Attorney General Of Ohio is also looking
-"-l me Grocery Trust.
ne Interstate Commerce Commission has al
alE chosen counsel 10 aid 81 in its investiga-
-.- INTO ..n handling Of coal and OF by the
.e--.a.= THE Beimout-Ryan traction merger
. -he-F 3. Doe Ir0bed as the result of the de
---.--s Jon - the New York State Railroad
-.Is.Hl 20 investigate certain details Of
--..s- ---'-0uoIitan Street Railway deals The
-e-l-.I" legislature is investigating certain
aa. .- financing the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-