Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-12
BONAPARTE IS BACK
And Thinks He'll Stay a Week
or TWo-Perhaps.
NOT MUCH HUSTLING NOW
Nothing New Bout the Standard Oil
Crew.
ELKINS LAW STRONG ENOUGH
Attorney General HASN'T Tackled the
Coffin Trust Yet, But He
May Later.
NOT MUCH HUSTLING NOW
ELKINS LAW STRONG ENOUGH

Attorney General Bonaparte resumed per-
sonal supervision OF trust-busting activ-
tiles at the Department of Justice today.
He has been away from the department
nearly month. trying to find some vaca-
ton enjoyment. but has been followed by
official work to such an extent that he
might as well have been at the department
He expects to remain here nearly two
weeks before again going away for a short
respite.
During the day Mr.. Bonaparte had con-
ferences with Charles w. Russell. acting
attorney general for the last month. and
with other officials OF the department. Tn
| til August "a, when he will again leave
Washington. Mr.. Bonaparte will continue
| conferences with his subordinates.
| 1t Is pretty we'll understood that there
will be little new in the trust-busting line
| before the coming fall and winter. Mr..
| Bonaparte has started the machinery to
| work In a half dozen trust actions before
| the courts. and he Is not disposed to start
up new business until the old work gets
| to going along smoothly.
Various phases of existing suits will con-
stantly arise to demand the attention Of
the head of the Department OF Justice Mr.
| Bonaparte said today, for instance. that
| he had received telegram from Frank B.
Kellogg. special representative of the gov
eminent stating that the taking of testi-
mOny In the dissolution proceedings against
| the Standard Oil would begin In New York
| city September 3. This is the case insti-
| tuted against the Standard OIL at st. Louis.
and Is the main case of the government
against the great oil combine. II the gov
| eminent Is successful In this 1t ex-
poets to have a receiver appointed for the
Standard Oil combine.
Prosecution Of Hartman.
Talking to a Star reporter today. Mr..
| Bonaparte evaded any direct statement as
| to whether he will prosecute E. II. Harri-
| man In the federal courts for his connec-
| ton with the Chicago and Alton deal. His
| ntimations were strong, however. that II
| the government finds that 1t has sufficient
| testimony to secure a conviction 1t will I'M
heSitatingly proceed against the Wall street
magnate.
viii there be criminal proceedings I'M
der the Sherman law in the Hartman mat
| ter?' Mr.. Bona parte was asked.
| THAT is something 1 cannot tell you any
| thing definite about" was the answer. The
| Department of Justice Is going along with
the laudable intention Of prosecuting any
| body against whom 1t has a good case
| that is. case sufficient to secure convic-
| ton for a serious offense. 1t does not care
| about small fry or trifiing ofenses or cases
| in which the outlook points to acquittal.
| But this is statement Of the general pol /
| icy of the department AS to the Harri-
man case. 1 am not prepared to speak"
| "A number Of printed statements seem to
l
| cute" 1t was suggested to Mr.. Bonaparte.
| Il am not quite sure how much the news
| papers have improved on what have said.
| he replied. You can generally trust them
| to make II better than what you say; but
have not said anything definite in the Har-
| r.man cases beyond the fact that they
| were under consideration"
! Mr.. Bonaparte was asked the status of
| several other trust matters pending with
! his department. There was nothing new he
| said. regarding the smelter trust, sit being
| simply one of the numerous cases that are
! in a state of investigation. He laughed
when asked about alleged action against
| the coffin trust.
II have been asked to take up the laun-
| dry wOman's trust" he said facetiously.
| but l haven't heard about the one that
| makes collins and thereby causes it to be
| cheaper to live than to die"
| Elkins Law Pretty Strong.
do any OF the recent happenings cause
| you to believe that 1t would be wei! to
| strengthen the Elkins law?' Mr.. Bonaparte
| was asked.
THE Elkins law" he answered. has
| worked pretty we'll as far as 1 have been
| able to notice. We had. you know. in the
| Hepburn act a provision intended to