The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-13
SUGAR-COAT|NG
NOT FOR Stubs
Continued From First Page)

responding months of tic previous
year
"These figures prove that there is
no reasonable basis upon which the
railroads can demand AN advance In
freight rates. Upon the contrary, they
prove conclusiveiy that railroad rates
are already too high. And yet prac-
ticaIly all the railroads in the United
states have formed gigantic combina-
ton to increase freight rates, which
the shippers who have investigated
the matter claim win ultimately enor-
nously increase the cost OF freight
transportation.
In Agreement.
"The advanced freight rates de-
manded by the railroads. and now
being considered by the Interstate
Commerce Commission were agreed
to by the combined railroads OF the
United states, and are therefore clearly
in violation Of the Sherman antitrust
law. i submit to you. gentlemen the
proposition that It is unwise and con-
trary to sound public policy for the
/ ederal government 10 permit these
railroads openly ana nagrantly 10 vio-
late the antitrust law BY combining
for the purpose ot advancing freignt
rates, and through their unlawful acts
enormously to increase the cost oil
TRANSPORTATION 10 the American pcoplc-
lf the railroads are tttus pc-u:!,sed TO
violate the Federal laws vita impnn'
ity in broad daylight, and thereby IN
crease their protits millions OF dollars
per annum. what incentive has any ciu-
zen to respect the law. when he can
increase his income 81 breaking 1t?
",rhe amount OF tax money collected
by the British Empire from tbs Ameri-
can colonists, without Representations.
probably would not amount TO ! per
cent. OF the tribute and cxtortion when
the consuming American public ara
now compelled to pay TO Illegal COM
binations. trusts and monopolies every
year. The honor, manhood and moral
character OF our republic are Involved
in the relation OF the Federal govern
ment 10 this monstrous condition,
which ofiends every ssEs- If justice.
decency and morality.
I'VE have passed beyond the stage
where self-respecting public officials
can barter and dicker and compromise
with law breakers. rich OF poor. high
or low, great or small, on tho theory
th.t the rigid enforcement of law,
without fear or favor will inJure Dusi-
ness.
The relation of the Federal govern
ment 10 these unlawful commercial IN
stitutions organized for purposes OF
spoils and plumber is one of the most
humiliatng and disgraceful chapters
in American history. The plain duty
and task set for this generation is to
establish once and forever the SUI
premacy OF law and its power to con-
troll organized corporations, firms or
individuals who directly or indirectly
form combinations in restraint OF
trade. and thereby destroy fee COM
petition and equal opportunity in the
commerce of the nation.
."rhe sherman antitrust law pro-
vides that a combination in restraint
OF trade Is a crime punishable by fine
or Imprisonment, or both. The judge
on the bench who insists on holding
the corporation responsible for viola
ton of law and, not being able TO
send the corporation to prison. asr
sesses fine against 1t as punishment
for robbing the public of thousands OIL
millions of dollars, through lllesaI
combinations in restraint of trade, and
discharges the officers who get inc
money and are the real criminals IN
the case. is wholly unfit to occupy 50
responsible a public Office
Not TOO sacred.
II do not in any sense share the
| opinion sometimes expressed that the
| official acts OF a judge are too sacred
(! TO he criticized No citizen oil TINS re-
| public occupies n more honorable OF
desirable position than just Judge
who honors his office.
But there is no more disreputa Die
citizen than the unjust Judge VINO
| brings discredt and disgrace 10 nv,
office that should be held sacred aho
used solely for the purpose Of metins
ont ustiae to all kinds and classes OF
| persons.
! "A Judge belonging to the last nance
class is and ought to be a proper SUB
iect for public criticism and he oushl
| to he publicly branded, so that lie could
be forever after Identified
Governor Stubs strongly opposed
| appointment of or election OF Judges
| for a life term; urged an income TAX
| law; q mandatory law providing a
| prison sentence for persons or oihcers
| OF corporations who are responsible foi
unlawful combinations in restraint OF
! trade, and also providing a receiver
| Shall operate such corporations until
assurance is given they will obey the
| law.
"When Congress enacts these laws
and they are rigidly enforced, eNtor-
| ton, injustice and commercial cruelty
| OF monopolies Will be placed on the
sama basis as other crimes and wall De
no more respectable in the community,
| said Governor Stubbs.
| The speaker favored the development
| of the Mississippi, Missouri and ONO
Rivers and declared that 1.-THE American
people are being robbed every year OF
enough money by unlawful combina-
| lions, trusts and monopolies to build
| 1Ii- .nnftrn work y