The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-13
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than they did in tIie fisescorespending.
months of the previous year.
These figures prove that there is no
reasonable basis upon which the rail-;
roads can demand an advance ii
freight rates Upon the contrary, they
prove conclusiveIy that railroad rates
are already too high. And yet, prac-
tically all the railroads in the United
States have formed a. gigantic combi-t
nation to increase freight rates, which
the shippers, who have investigated
the matter, claim will ultimately enor-
mously increase the cost of freight
transportation.
THE advanced freight rates de-
manded by the railroads, and now be-
ing considered by the interstate COM
merce commission We're agreed to by
the combined railroads of the United
States, and are, therefore, clearly iii
violation of the Sherman antitrust
law. | submit to you, gentlemen, thu
propositi~-n that it is unwise and con-
trary to sound public policy for the
federal government to permit these
railroads openly and flagrantly to vio-
late the antitrust law by combining
for the purpose of advancing freight
rates, and through their unlawful acts
enormously to increase the cost of
transportation to the American people.
If the railroads are thus permitted to
violate the federal laws with impunity.
their profits millions of dollars per an
mum, what incentive has any citizen to
respect the law, when he can increase
his income by breaking it?
Tribute and Extortion.
1.-THE amount of tax money collected
by the British empire from the Aineri-
can colonies without representation
probably would not amount to 1 pei
cent of the tribute and eXtortion which
the consuming American public are now
compelled to pay to Illegal eombina
tons, trusts and monopolies every year
The honor, manhood and moral charac-
ter of our republic are involved in the
relation of the federal government tC
this nonstrous condition which offends
every sense of justice, decency and NOR
atty.
I'VE have passed beyond the stage
where self-respecting public officials
can barter and dicker and compromise
with law breakers, rich or poor, higf
or low, great or small, on the theory
that the rigid enforcement of 1aw, with.
out fear or favor. will injure business
1.-The relation of the federal govern
nent to these unlawful commercial in
StitutionS organized for purposes o.
spoils and plumber is one of the mos
humiliating and disgracefuI chapter:
in American history The plain duty
and task set for this generation is Il
establish once and forever the suprem
aey of law and its power to control or.
Sdl1ECQ COIpOLdlAOLSt III Ills VI lItufN1Q
uals who directly or indirectly form
combinations in restraint of trade, ans
thereby destroy free competition ana
equal opportunity in the commerce O
the nation.
THE Sherman antitrust law provide:
that a combination in restraint of trad
is a crime punishable by fine or i'm
prisonment or both. The judge on thu
bench who insists on holding the cor
poration responsible for violation o
law, and, not being able to send thf
corporation to prison. assesses fin
against it as punishment for Robin:
the public of thousands of millions o
dollars, through illegal combinations il
restraint of trade, and discharges til
officers who get the money and are tn
real criminals in the case. is who'll.
UNIT to occupy so responsible a publi
office.
Judges Not sacred.
"i do not in any sense share thu
opinion sometimes expressed that tn