New-York tribune., 1910-01-26
tFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]


Washington, Jan. 25.-The President was
placed In a somewhat embarrassing posi-
tion to-day when ii was pointed out to him
that certain straightforward and simple
statements he had made concerning the po-
sition of the administration with regard to
trusts mad been exaggerated and distorted
into sensational declarations of purpose to
run amuck" among the industries of the
country. As consequence he decided 10
issue a statement setting forth the fact
that the position of the administration is
precisely what he outlined in his message
recommending that provision be made for
federal incorporation. The reports which
found their way into print were not wholly
due, however, 10 exaggeration of the as
sertions of the President. They were also
based on the declaration of the leaders in
Congress to the effect that the national
legislature was not likely to take any ac-
ton on the federal Incorporation recon-
mendation, despite the fact that decisions
are expected from the Supreme Court in
the not distant future affirming the find
ings of the lower courts in the cases of the
Standard Oil Company and the Tobacco
Trust. If those decisions are affirmed
neither of these great organizations will be
able 10 transact interstate business. With
poration, it is not easy to see how they
can adjust their affairs without grave loss
10 their stockholders and serious demorali-
zation of the market. OF course, the fact
that by process of absorption certain cor
porations have attained so large an iniu-
ence in the industrial world that their dis
organization a the mandate of the courts
is likely TO jeopardize the entire industrial
situation, and most seriously to affect the
stock market, constitutes in itself a seri-
argument against such Capitalization
of power. On the other hand, such centrai-
zation has taken place, and it is necessarily
a question of how to compass their disor-
ganization or distribution without entailing
serious hardship to investors generally.
The President, in effect at least, cordially
indorsed to-day the editorial declaration of
The Tribune, that the United States should
be adequately represented at the commence
rative exhibition at Rome next summer,
when he sent a special message to Con-
gress urging the immediate appropriation
Of $4,000 for adequate representation of
this country at Rome, and also at Turin,
where a labor and industrial exposition is
TO be held next summer. Both events are
commemorative of the fftieth anniversary
OF the independence OF Italy. MT. AIT SUD-
mitted TO the Senate a letter of the Secre-
tary of State setting forth the facts in
connection with the expositions and call
ing attention to the fact that Great Britain,
France and Germany have already made
generous provision fer representation at
both places.
Mr.. Knox urges Congress to do likewise,
on the ground that it is important to his pol
icy Of trade extension, well as a proper
courtesy in view of the fact that Italy
was generously represented at the Louis-
ana Purchase Exposition at St Louis. The
Importance of an exhibit at Rome was ap
parently overlooked until attention was
called to it in this column a short time
ago, and The Tribune presented, in a force
full editorial the reasons why the invita-
tion of Italy should not longer be disre-
garded. The message was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations, and Sen
ator Lodge will make an effort TO obtain
favora BILE action on the Presidents recon-
mendation at the earliest possible date.
Those who would not he misled regarding
the facts corrected with the tariff negot-
ations with Germany should bear in mind
that the administration has no onJecuon