The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1908-07-30
Tho Partics and TRUSTS

/ Why Is 1t necessary for President
Roosevelt to go into print toldeclare
that the case against the Standard
oil Company Will be pushed to the
court of last resort? II the Presl-
ident were sincere. the Chicago plat
about bringing gigantic corporations
to the bar Of justice.--News.
Now. let US just see about this
The platform adopted by the Re
publican national convention at Chic
ago contains these words:
The great accomplishment OF
President Roosevelt have been first
and foremost, brave and impair
tial enforcement of the law: the pros
ecution of Illegal trusts and monopo-
lies; the exposure and punishment of
evil doors in the public service: the
more effective regulation OF the rates
and service OF the great Transports
ton lines. the compete overthrow OF
preference the arbitration OF labor
disputes: the amelioration OF the con-
dition OF wage workers everywhere:
the conservation Of the natural re-
sources of the country and the for
ward step In the improvement OF the
inland water ways.
/. I'VE declare our unfaltering adj
herence to the policies thus fnau-
gurated and pledge their continu-
ance under Republican admins
tration of the government"
Note the open. unhesftating. firm
declaration in this. No evasion, no
shifting. no by-play of words, no
ambiguity.
But let us read further on in the
platform:
"The Republican party passed the
Sherman antitrust law over Demo
cratic opposition and enforced 1t af-
ter Democratic dereliction. 1t has
been a wholesome instrument for
good In the hands of a wise and fear
less administration. But experience
has shown that its effectiveness can
be strengthened and its real objects
better obtained by such amendments
as will give to the federal govern
ment greater supervision, and con-
troll over and secure greater publicity
corporations engaged in Interstate
commerce having power and oppor-
tunity to effect monopolies.'
Here Is the Republican party's at
titude on the question of trusts and
monopolies. Big. bold. concise words
these. No hiding behind double
negative or other twist of syntaX.
And these are not the sole utter
ances of the Republican party on the
'Su"htph VI tIuSlS. Iue platform
unequivocally declares the party's at
tltude on rebates and discrimina-
tons and other forms of corporate
abuse. 1t even goes so far as TO IA
vor such legislation as will prevent
the over-issue of stocks and bonds by
Interstate carriers. All good. whole
some. measures with the view of
continuing to raise the standards of
morality and justice in pblic and
private business dealings.
But, what does the Bryan Demo-
cratic platform say in regard To the
attitude Of that decrepit old party on
the general subject of trusts?
Not Il word!
What does the Democratic plat
form say about making Illegal trusts
obey the law?
absolutely nothing!
What does the Democratic party
pledge itself to do in regard to the
enactment and enforcement of anti
trust laws?
Absolutely nothing.
In view of these facts 1t would
seem that Democratic newspaper
or two needs, not only to read the
Republican national platform. but
also to take a look at the national
platform of its own party.