The Washington times., 1907-11-11
Would Stop Corpora
tiOnS When Guilty
OF Violation.
Discusses Plan With
FriendS---SOme Say
It's Feasible.

To make the execution of the
antitrust laws sure, prompt, and
effective, President Roosevelt desires
that power be lodged with the ex-
ecutive department of the Govern
ment summarily to stop the business
of a big corporation if it is found
violating laws.
He proposes this as a means to
avoid the delays and uncertainties Of
court proceedings and the almost I'M
possibility Of enforcing court DEGREES
even when once secured.
In short, he wants a plan Of Fed
eral charter or license, under which
whenever the Executive is convinced
that a corporation is violating law.
he may suspend it from the right TO
continue business.
President Suggests Plan.
This plan of regulation has been
suggested r. the President to some
liaGneU sal callers of late. 1t caused
deci led 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
difficulties and unavoidable delays
Of accomplishing anything effective
in dealing with the trusts at pres
ent. He recounted some of the ex-
periences that the Administration
has had, and showed how, even
when a trust has been officially and
iudieiany busted" it declines TO
stay busted" but energies in some
new phase which preserves the mo-
nopoly and ali its bad aspects, while
yet managing to avoid violation of
the courts decree.
The Presidents suggestion, there
fore, was based on the belief that
the delays and teehnicalities Of
court proceedings make real remedy
almost impossible through the
courts. He would circumvent the
courts by getting the power direct
" into an executive department.
Expression Favored.
People who are familiar with the
Presidents expression in this connec-
! ton consider it the most vigorous he
! has yet put forth. Some Of the con-
I servatives incline to criticise it as dan
gerous; advocates of vigorous regula-
/ ton take the ground that what the
! President said in this connection Is grati-
! flying proof that he is preparing for no
I backward step
Critics Of Presidential policies point
out that such status as suggested
would make the executive department
the absolute master OF all. business on
an sx-parte inquiry by agents Of tho
! executive bureau. IL might be held that
/ a great concern was violating the laws.
1 and thereupOn an order would issue sus-
pending its license. 1t would be out OF
1 business.
That the plan is feasible and prob
ably not unconstitutional is urged. on
the other hand. by people who do not
] fear measures strong enough TO meet the
situation. These point out that in many
!
! lions TO do business within the State
have been summary revoked IN much
/ the ike fashion. The exercise by State
| insurance departments Of the power
! summariIy to suspend an insurance COM
pany from business or 10 deprive il per-
/ manently Of the privilege Of doing II.
within the State Is familiar
That the President has seriously pro-
! posed such d program. aid tl.is within
I the last few days, is regarded as Of the
/ greatest significance ia ITS indication
/ Cf his attitude toward The trusts. 1t
IS freely predicted by many public men
/ who have learned OF Jne President
/ views. that Congress Will mover be in
ducd to pass such legislation. They say
/ that no attempt to eliminate the court
! safeguard Of business and property
rights can pass the SenaJe.
/ Whether the President las IL In mind
/ to recommend so drastic a. measure IN
his forthcoming message Is not known.
! There Is the greatest interest, however.
I IL the forthcoming document, and ic
/ has been greatly accentuated by the de-
velopments in connection VITA this new
proposal.