The Washington times., 1906-12-13
ANTITRUST FIGHT
PASSED TO STATES
Various Legislatures Expect
ed to Engage in Trust
Busting"
CONGRESS is A BIT WEARY
Believed Supplementary Work VIII
Strengthen Laws Now in
Effect.

The State legislatures are going to do
most of the trust busting this winter
Congress viii pass the buck" up 10
them, 10 use an expression which an
elder statesman employed in talking
about the matter.
The great activity of Congress along
these lines at the last session has in
fected the State legislators. Congress is
tired, but its enthusiasm OF a year ago
has taken root in the States, and there
IS expected TO be a regular saturnalia Of
octopus chasing at the State capitals
beginning early in January. Reform leg
islatures are going TO work in many
places. and their efforts viii be directed
in considerable measure to supplement-
ing the work done b,' Congress last win
ter.
Pass Law Ineffective.
Anti-pass legislation. for instance, is
incomplete and ineffective under the
Federal law, which only applies TO In
terstate free passes. II is necessary
that the States adopt like laws prohibit
ing passes within the States. The po-
ntical pass ia the great majority of cases
is confined to a single State anyhow. and
comparatively few States have effec-
tive anti-pass laws. The number, now
ever, will be greatly increased this win
ter according To reports which reach
Washington Legislation against tele-
graph and express franks is likely also
10 be passed in severa! States, though
the corporations are just now taking
steps TO lOp or these privileges.
Pullmans Face Fight.
There is one particular monopoly
that is IN for adverse legislation IN a
number OF States, and that is the Pull
tod
I'm five or six States already to limit the
fares that Puumans may collect. in
every. case. of course, a decided reduc-
tion of rates is contemplated There
will probably be a resolution in Con-
Eress before the holidays looking to an
investieatiou of the Pullman Company
by the Interstate Commerce Commission,
and this IS expected 10 lead 10 a move
meut for reduction OF companys inter
state charges.
A considerable number of States al
ready have inheritance tax laws of
various kinds and the Presidents
PRONUNCIATION of this as an idea in
national legislation is influencing state
legislators. The number of these State
laws viii he increased In the near
future; probably long before any Con-
gresSional statute on the subject is
passed.
Trusts Are Blamed.
The trust proposition is also going to !
receive attention in the States. Officers !
OF the Department Of Justice are of /
opinion that there is a large field OF /
useful work in the States. They believe /
the Increased cost OF living is very
largely due TO the operations Of combi- /
nations Of wholesalers and retailers /
which divide territory and fix and main /
tain prices, and these can in most cases /
be best attacked under the State laws |
Thus there are associations of whole /
sale grOCeTs. wholesale hardware deal
ers, plumbers and many other lines OF /
business. in most States. Likewise there /
are local organizations OF retailers in
various lines. for the maintenance of i
prices and suppression OF competition
The Federal authorities are convinced /
that these, which can only be reached
by the State laws, Will before long
come in for measure of attention
never before given them.