Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-11-16
POWER FOR PRESIDENT UNIFORM TAXATION
Roosevelt Wants Authority to Ar.
bitrarlly Control Trusts,
GIVES VIEWS OF HIS PLANS
He Would Stop the Corporations at
Once When They are CURRY Of
Violation.

Once When They Are CURRY Of
Violation.
Washington, p. G.. Nov. 15.--T0
make the execution of the antitrust
laws sure, prompt and effective, Pres
ident Roosevelt desires that power be
lodged with the executive department
Of the government summarily to stop
the business of big corporation II 1t
is found violating laws.
He proposes this as means to
avoid the delays and uncertainties
of court proceedings and the almost
impossibility Of enforcing court de-
crees even when once secured.
In short, he wants p an of federal
charter or license. under which when
ever the executive is convinced that
corporation is violating law, he may
suspend 1t from the right to continue
business.
President Suggests Plan.
This plan Of regulation has been
suggested by the president to some
influential callers OF late. 1t c,used
a decided sensation with at least one
group OF very prominent men to
whom it was addressed, and is said to
have been greeted with silence.
The president pointed out the dlffi-
culties and unavoidable delays Of ac-
complishing anything effective in
dealing with the trusts at present. He
recounted some Of the experiences
that the administration has had, and
showed how, even when trust has
been officially and judicially busted
it declines to stay busted" but em.
erges in some new phase which pre-
serves the monopoly and all Its bad
aspects. while yet managing Ia avoid
violation Of the courts decree.
! The presidents suggestion, there
fore, was based on the belief that the
delays and technicalities Of court pro
ceedings make real remedy Almost i'm
possible through the courts. He would
circumvent the courts by getting the
power directly into an executive de-
partment.
Expression Favored.
People who are familiar with the
presidents expression IN this ccnnec
ton consider il the most vigorous he
has yet put forth. Some Of the con
servatives incline to criticise II as
dangerous: advocates OF vigorous reg
ulatIon take the ground that what the
president said in this connection ID
gratifying proof that he is preparing
for no back ward step.
Critics of presidential policies point
out that such status as suggested
would make the executive department
an absolute master Of all business
On an ex-parte inquiry by agents OF
the executive bureau, It might be held
that great concern was violating the
laws. and thereupon an order would
be out of business.
That the plan is feasible and prob
ably not unconstitutional Is urged, on
the other hand, by people who do non
fear measures strong enough to meet
the situation. These point out that In
many states the licenses of foreign
corporations to do business within the
state have been summarily revoked in
much the like fashion. The exercise
by state insurance departments OF the
power summarily to suspend an in
surance company from business or to
deprive 1t permanently Of the priyil-
ege OF doing it, within the state. il
familiar
That the president has seriously
proposed such q program. and this
within the last few days. Is regarded
as OF the greatest significance In It's
indication of his attitude toward the
trusts. It is freely predicted BY many
public men who have learned Of the
presidents views. that congress will
never be induced to pass such legis-
iation. They say hat no attempt to
eliminate the court safeguard OF bust
ness and property rights can pass the
senate.
Whether the president has II In
mind to recommend SO drastic meas
ure in his Forthcoming message, Is NOT
known. There Is the greatest inter
est. however 10 the forthcoming docu-
mcnt. and It has been greatly accent
uated bv the developments in connec-