Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-04
TRUSTS ARE TROUBLED.
Coming Decisions in Tobacco and
tandnrd OIL Cases.

Coming Decisions In and
OIL Cases.
New York Letter in Philadelphia Ledger.
Had investors and spectators become
satisfied that President Taft would i'm
mediately proceed TO tear down, utterly
to eliminate, all the combinations Of capital
which are somewhat vaguely and now in
accurately called trusts then the little
spasms in the securities market Of the
early part of last week would undoubtedly
have become a great panic, possibly equal
ing that of October, 1907
In the be~st-informed circles there has
been no doubt sincec the meeting of the
railroad presidents with president Taft at
the White House Of what the course of the
administration would be- 1t was we'll
known that the president would feel It to
be his duty In case the supreme court con-
firmed the Interpretation of the law in the
tobacco company and the Standard on
company cases, which was made by the
lower federal courts. to cause the Depart
ment OF Justice to learn whether combina-
lions exist In violation Of the antitrust
law: and. II prima facie evidence showed
that these corporate organizations exercise
the power to restrain trade, then proceed
ings would be begun for their dissolution.
Ddb LhGIt Will not ne an immediate DOm-
bardment, a sudden and violent attack all
along the line. That probably will be un-
necessary, If the Standard OIL company
must dissolve and the tobacco company
and after that some Of the greater corpora
tons is tested by the Interpretation of the
supreme court, which compelled the Stand
ard OIL company to dissolve, then unques-
tionably all Of the other combinations
would as soon as possible take voluntary
steps to relieve themselves of the accusa-
ton of acting illegally; tina is to say, pre-
pare for dinintegration.
After the railway presidents had dis
cussed with President Taft various cues
lions relating to the regulation, and here
after the %strictier regulation, Of the rail-
roads under the Interstate commerce law,
they were preparing to depart from the
White House, when the president asked
them to remain with him for a while, as
he wished to talk over with them, infor-
mally the Issue between the antitrust law.
as Interpreted by the lower courts in the
tobacco case, and the many combinations
OF capital by means of which much the
greater part of interstate business of the
United states is now carried on.
When these railway men returned TO
New York is was with the impression hat
the president feels that he will be com
PEELED, In case the supreme court affirms
the Interpretation OF the lower courts.
speedily to institute proceedings having for
their first purpose the gaining of informa.
uon as to whether this or that corporation
exists and carries on business in violation
of the law.
Inc country may as well make UP its
mind to the fact that unless the supreme
court reads into the STANDARD OIL and to.
baeco p cases an Interpretation now
hoped Tor, but not greatly expected, Their
We must face one of two conditions. Their,
must either be an amendment OF the sher,
man law or there must be business chaos
Tor the president will not shirk his duty If
case the supreme court should say tina
the Sherman iaw forbids combination,
which, although honorably organized anc
conducted, nevertheless have a lurking o.
inherent power to restrain trade.