The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-05-01
TAFT TO ENFORCE THE LAW
BUT NOT BY ROOSEVELT
METHODS, SAYS WICkERSHA AM.
Some Prosecutions May he Dropped. He
Tells Notable Gathering OF Lawyers
and Judges-Sherman Law May He

Anen0cd-N0 LEI Is AIOne rune!
George v. Wickersham, Attorney
General OF the United States, speakin.
before a notable gathering Of lawyer:
and Judges at Sherry's last night. out
lined the attitude of the Taft Admins
tration toward the enforcement OF law:
affecting the business interests OF tn
country. The Importance Of the speed
was quickly grasped by the $50 diners
and they ~applauded Mr.. Wickersham'
frank u%tterancss repeatedly.
Mr.. Wicke.sham admitted the methods
pursued by the Department Of Justice
in the last Administration were not neces
eary now, He added that undoubtedly
some suits we're instituted and sons
prosecutions commenced by that Admin
~ist-ation without sufficient consideration
and without adequate cause, He woulc
not. he declared. hesitate 70 Withdraw
these suits. but thc.e would be no lctuI
in the vigorous enforcement Of the law
Mr.. Wicko-shan announced further thai
proposed amendments to the Sherman
law we're now under consideration by the
present Administration.
The occasion Of tn, Attorney-General's
epeech was a dinner given in his honor
by his fellow members Of the bar in this
city. The gathering included the leading
lawyers in the city, all the Justices OF the
Supreme Court in New York. most Of the
justices of Kings county and several
representatives OF the Federal bench,
Joseph II. Choate presided. and he had
several interesting things to say about
the enforcement Of ~justics by the pre-
ceding Administration.
Mr.. Wickersham, in beginning, do
ecribed a certificate hanging on the wall
OF his office in Washington. That GER
tihcate said in effect that william Fl,
Taft, reposing a special trust and conf
dence in the patriotism, integrity and abil-
titles of George W. Wicke, sham. had APP
pointed him Acknowledgement OF the
United States.
Il read that every morning and every
evening" said Mr.. Wickersham. -and
every time ! read it its significance sinks
o little more deeply into my soul
The Acknowledgement then vert on:
Perhaps in this connection it may be
appropriate TO say in a few words my
ideas OF the proper attitude of the De-
pertinent OF Justice with respect to the
enlargement Of laws affecting the bust.
ness interests of the country. You all
know that the attitude Of a very large
fart Of the business community toward
tome Of the laws enacted by Congress
GrS prtnr ~ civ ~ cex.aD .-A.rn ,-1 N~x
Of inaiferenco when not OF hostility.
There was a prevailing impression that
many Of the laws dea ling with economic
subjects had been passed to be pointed
to with pride rather thar to be enforced.
Then there came a rude awakening.
The last Administration set to work with
~igor, with energy. which was accom-.
rsnisd at times with newspaper clamor,
toenforce these laws. Business men who
eight years ago had not read the Sherman
antitrust law to-day know il by heart,
and railroad men and shippers alike have
en intimate personal acquaintance with
the interstate commerce act. No Ameri-
can business man can to-day truthfulIy
FAY that he does not know that it is a crim me
fer a railroad to give or a shipper to accept
v fSDo'S ~ w SsttJlIsAltI III ~
rates.
The work OF the present Administra
ton is none the less important than was
that OF the last in continuing to enforce
the laws of the country and in e~ndeavoring
TO effectuate the intent of the peoplei
speaking through Congress. in preventing
the things which the people have come to
believe 10 be inconsistent with the welfare
OF the republic, but the methods which
were necessary TO awaken the business
community to a recognition of the exis-
tence and vitality Of these laws are no
longer essential
1T may be. it probably Ia. true that in
the movement TO impress upon the whole
business world the meaning and force of
certain laws and the necessity Of attention
ana obedience to them some suits were
instituted and some prosecutions COM
menced without sufficient consideration
without adequate cause. When s,loh
conditions are found to exsist the present
Administration will not hesitate to with
draw the suits or dismiss the prosecutions.
Such action must not, however, be taken
ss any indication OF an intention by this
Administration TO abandon in the ali ehtest
degree The vigorous, impartial enforce
ment OF the law or to undo in any degree
the splendid work of the last Administra-
ton,
We have heard frequently Of late from
representatives. of certain business inter-
ests OF the country cries OF Let us ha va
PEACE and Let us elone,' The price Of
peace is obedience to law; those who
honestly try to keep the law need not fear
prosecution
! am perfectly well swlre TINT thers
'e an uncertainty as to the precise sc,pe
and meaning Of that law which mos,
o.csely touches all business activities
Il The country-namely. the sherman
fEt-irnst law--and | should be the Iast
u authorize the institution OF a criminoI
Proceeding against mon who without
u text TO violate the la W have neyerthe-
ht acted in technical contrsyention NJ
81 extreme and most drastic co,struo-
Won OF that enactment. But certain ~
We principles underlying that law IRE
f'turedly now understood, and any at
tempt made at this time with the present
obstruction Of that law agreed unon
~ al the higher courts, 70 combine in
We '"rm Of a trust or otherwise with the
'b''ous intention Of restraining commerce
"Hohs the States or Of creating n ma
nopoiy OF an important part Of that com-
'nerce would evidence such delibera IN
'".eHuon 10 break the law as TO iustifv
aho compel the Government 10 ,,se al,
or any OF tho ran,odio, ... -