New-York tribune., 1908-02-03
MR.. BONAPARTE TALKS.
Administration aims to Place In
Uestmerts ON More Solid Basis.

| Baltimore. Feb 2-"The American" Will puD-
| Ish an interview tomorrow with Attorney Gen
| eral Charles j. Bonaparte, in the course OF
| which, replying to questions. he says:
The suit against the Union Pacific Railroad d
Is now in the District Court of Utah 1t VIII
most probably reach the United States Supreme
Court. 1t may not. however be argued oeIore
that court during my term as Attorney Genera
though I hope so 1 am doing all IN my power
TO expedite the case. These court cases move
slowly.
The DELAY in the Standard Oil Company case
has arisen through no fault Of the government
counsel for the Standard Oil Company asked
the Court of Appeals to certify TO certain ques-
tons to be carried to the Supreme Court, Inc
appeal must vet be heard by the Appellate court
Have proceedings been instituted against the
Harvester Trust" Mr. Bonaparte was asked
NO Senator Hansbrough requested the de-
partment to take action. Before doing so. now
ever. the Harvester Company submitted long
statement setting forth its side of the case
This statement struck violation of the
, Sherman act Before proceedings were begun,
however, the Senate passed resolution. intro
1uced by Mr.. Hansbrough, instructinS the bu-
of corporations 10 investigate the company
in question. That bureau is now at work. sup
pose.
we are also looking into the New York
New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company.
which is said to have absorbed trolley lines, and
which is otherwise said 10 be violating the Sher-
man act"
DO you consider that of the aims OF
President RooseveIts administration is TO place
investments including. of course, all securities,
upon a more solid and legitimate basis"
L do and think that his aim will be more gen.
orally recognized and applauded the more gen
orally it is understood"
Touching the proposed suffrage amendment to
the constitution which the present Legislature of
this state likely submit to the voters.
Mr.. Bonaparte said:
Il consider it thoroughly bad. 1t violates the
Constitution of the United States; it establishes
hereditary privileges in political rights. which is
unrepubIican undemocratic and un-American"
MIR Bonaparte's further expressions would lead
to the belief that should the proposed amend
ment be sanctioned at the polls he will be
party to having it passed upon by the Supreme
Court of the United States,
After having declined 10 express his views
the recent message sent to Congress by PresI-
dent Roosevelt and also the speech delivered
by Governor Hughes of New York. Attorney
General Bonaparte dictated the following state
ment to- night:
There is one matter. however, about which |
speak with knowledge: If great clusters of
corporations. such as the STANDARD OIL Company,
the Tobacco Trust the Powder Trust and
well known railroad systems are not 10 be pun
ished by fines imposed on convicted corporations
this means that, in ninety nine cases out OF one
hundred, they will not be punished at all. IL -
often possible to obtain legal proof on which 10
convict the corporation when it would be alto
gether impossible to obtain evidence to satisfy
jury against any of It's superior officers. This
statement may seem a little strange 10 persons
inexperienced in criminal law. but lawyer who
has To enforce such statutes the antitrust
laws will soon learn its truth.