Omaha daily bee., 1910-09-06

state trade, and to prohibit therefore illegal
boycotts to injure the interstate trade OF
any person. At the last session of con-
gress. in an appropriation bill, some $500 900
was appropriated for the enforcement Of
the antitrust law. To this appropriation an
amendment was proposed providing that no
part Of the 10000 should be used in the
prosecution Of worklngmen engaged in a
boycott in violation OF the statute This is
not the way the amendment read, but that
was it's effect. A majority of the house
after very heated discussion rejected the
amendment on the ground that It was
vicious class legislation.
| LAS matter of fact, the money thus
previously appropriated to enforce the anti
! trust law had never been used for the
prosecution of workingmen engaged in such
boycott, because there was no occasion for
such use. and in all probability the money
now appropriated will never be used for
such a purpose, but II was the proper view
of the majority, who voted against the
amendment that on principle such a class
exemption or privilege should not be de-
clared and approved in statute of the
government l have not the slightest ex-
pectation that the money will ever be used
for anything but the prosecution of corpora
! uOIS anu business Trims engaged IN COM
binations in restraint of trade; but to tie
the hands OF the executive against an un-
lawful combination of worhngmen or of
any other men, II such a combination ex-
listed. and thus make any group a privileged
class of lawbreakers. is neither justice nor
wisdom nor good craftsmanship.
his pocket showed that he came from the
Certain Critics Answered.
''But Is said that 7 not consistent
| because l proposed to the last congress
that interstate railroad companies be per-
mitted to make temporary agreements last
! ing for thirty days and fixing uniform rates
| for traffic between the same places and
to this extent be exempted from The opera
| ton OF the antitrust law 1t was said with
great plausibility: You are opposed to ex-
empting wor1ingmen from the operation OF
such a law, but you favor the exemption
of railroad companies
THE answer is that interstate railroads
are restricted much more closely and are
under much more minute observation by
the provisions OF the interstate commerce
law than they can possibly be under, the
antitrust law. The interstate commerce
law thus logically makes them a special
class to be treated by themselves. The
reason for my recommendation was that
ing of rates cannot practically be carried
on without either an express or tacit agree
ment for uniformity in rates between COM
peting lines for a short period Otherwise
there will be a constant changing of rates,
| ending generally in a war OF rates which
inures to the benefit of no one. In order
to avoid any such danger from exemption,
however, II was proposed that the tenn
porary agreement permitted should only be
regarded as legal and binding after ap-
proval by the Interstate Commerce commits
sion. That commission, of it's own motion
| or upon complaint of another, can flnd a
rate to be unreasonable and can change 1t.
Everything which the railroad does is sub
ject to examination and correction by the
commission. No such rule applies in the
case Of farmers or workingmen, or of in
dividuals generally. They have a right to
charge what they choose for what they sell,
whether 1t be products OF the farm or labor
of their hands. They are under no super
vision In this regard All that is required
of them is that uhey shall not violate the
general law applying TO all persons; in the
one case, that the farmers shall not violate
the antitrust law that prevents them and
all others from going into conspiracy TO
raise the price OF products, and the other
which forbids workingmen as we'll as all
other persons from uniting IN q conspiracy
or general boycott to obstruct and restrain
state trade
Thus the distinction made IN the statute
and judicial decision, when understood, is
found to be in accord with the doctrine of
the square deal and to be based on the
same considerations OF fairness and justice
as are transactions In everyday life be-
tween honest and Just men"
This Is all very important to you and
to me and to every American who wishes
the prosperity of the American working
men to rest on enduring foundations.
Failure to think clearly and logically on
this subject Of special privilege breeds only
dissentions among men who are natural
allies. Do not try to secure 1t. On the
other hand, be watchful to prevent any
class in community from securing it. Let
US unite our common energies and work
ing in harmony with the spirit of our fed
eral constitution and our democratic ideals
} let us ALL irrespective of party, maintain
and better the social and economic condi-
fiopa Of all Glasses NJ our