Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-02-11
The Pending Case
Against Trusts
THE SUBJECT UPPERMosT IN
EVERY QUARTER.
CONFERENCE AT WHITE HOUSE
Discussion of Possible Consequences of
Supreme Courts Decision in Ameri-
can Tobacco and Standard Oil Cases

which was held at the White house
last night between President Taft and
senator Aldrich was only the forerun-
ners of others in the near future, the
outcome of which probably will be the
early issue through some appropriate
channel of statement dealing with
situation which is discussed here
Wherever two or three are gathered
together; yet one which apparently
NOBODY thus far has deemed 1t pru-
dent to make the subject of public
utterance. That situation relates to
the possible consequences, financial,
industrial and political, of the decis-
ions of the supreme court of the Unit
ed states in the pending government
cases against the American Tobacco
company and the Standard Oil COM
pany. The former has been argued
and is now in the hands Of the court;
the latter has been advanced and set
for argument on March II.
Another Discussion Later.
The Immediate subject of last nights
conference between the president and
Ir Aldrich was the perfecting of the
administrations proposed amendments
to the interstate commerce law; but
the effects Of the supreme courts de-
cisions in the Tobacco and Standard
Oil cases were discussed also to some
extent, and will be further discussed
after Senator Aldrich's return on Mon
day from New York, whittier he went
today.
President Will Not Be Swerved.
Meanwhile the president will speak
in New York Saturday evening, on the
subject it is said of Party pledges
and how they should be kept" and he
is attempting no concealment or mod
ifcation of his intention to make the
decision of the supreme court the
f11r
ton in regard to corporations charged
with violations Of the Sherman anti
trust law.
He makes it plain to all inquirers
view of what in his message to con-
gress he described as his duty to in
vestigating the conduct of all trusts
and he will not be swerved therefron
by rumors of flurries or other mani
festations in wall street.
Proposed Federal Incorporation Law.
The general impression here is that
the proposed federal Incorporation law
viii not he passed at the present ses-
sion of congress: all the talk is un-
favorable to its .subSta an tial progress
and Mr.. Tart recently disclaimed any
intention of attempting to force its
passage. But even If it were enacted,
in its present form, it offers. in the
opinion, both of astute members of
congress and of representative cofpo-
ration men, no material relief of the
condition involved in the decision in
the antitrust eases.
Senator Aldrich said today before
his departure for New York:
81 can conceive of no legislation
within the power OF congress which
can meet this situation; either in an
ticipation to the supreme courts de-
cision, or subsequent to it,
UNLESS, perhaps. the repeal of the
Sherman Iaw?'' the questioner sug-
gested.
The senator smiled grimly. It was
evident that he regarded that as out
side the domain of possibility.
To Advance Standard Oil Case.
As for the scope of the antitrust
cases before the supreme court. here
is what Attorney General Wickersham
said in connection with his motion to
mediate hearing:
''The Tobacco case, just argued and
submitted to this court, and the Stand
ard Oil case, present to the court prac-
tically the entire range of modern in
dustrial organizations in this country
and substantially every feature of the
so-called trust problem in so far as
it is affected by the Sherman act. It
has been the policy of the government
to select a few extreme instances of
&reat combinations apparently con-
trolling the greater part of trade and
commerce in a particular line of in
full meaning and application of the
statute. The Standard OIL case is the
most important of all these cases."
The Topic Most Discussed in Wash
ington at Present.
The proverbially delicate relation
which .'the market" wall street"
and the financial world generally.
bears to the news and gossip of the
three great branches of the govern
ment make it superfluous to point out
the effect which the decisions of the
supreme court, one wav or the other,
in these great cases, will certainly hit
in the field of finance
Industrially. as Mr.. wickersham
said to the court, practically the whole
scope of modern corporate organiza-
tion is In one or another involved in
these cases; good trusts and bad
affair.
II the court should sustain the judg-
mentS OF the courts below. ii might
call for industrial readjustments of
here, closely reflecting the mind of
leaders OF industry. express the more
or less vague hope that the court,
should its Judgment sustain the gov
ernment and be hostile to the defend
ant corporations, will, in handing down
its decision point out some measure
of that relief which from any point of
view appears outside the possible
of a decision either way
must be momentous-especi SO to
the majority party in the event of the
defeat of the government
This is the topic most discussed in
Washington just now
1t is the subject uppermost in every |
quarter. 1t has thus far been discuss
ed, as it were, in whispers, but leaders |
in congress admitted today that 1t |
would be impossible much longer to |
confine it to private conversation. 1T |
was discussed last night by the pres |
ident and Senator Aldrich and will be |
further discussed next week.
Attacked Proposed Anti-Option Bill. |
Washington. Feb. 10.-Defending the /
cotton exchanges as the collectors of |
true information which is disseminated |