New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-26
TRUSTS TO HAVE
CHANCE TO ACT
No IndiSCrimnate Attack on
Corporations. Attorney
General Declares.
STEEL INQUIRY INCOMPLETE

Suit Will Be Started-Con.
fers on Tobacco and
Powder Cases.
The alarming reports CiCCuated within
the last few DAYS as TO impending prose
oytior Of the Steel Trust and other large
corporations popularity classified in the
trust category We're met last night with
an emphatic statement on the part Of
Ceorge ". Vickersham. Attorney Gen
eral. that the Department of Justice did
not contemplate a campaign against the
business interests Of the country or an
indiscriminate attack on ali large pros
porous concerns.
"On the contrary" Mr.. Nickersham
said. "the care and caution with which
the law officers OF the government are
proceeding 20 the examination Of each
case should be guarantee TO the coun-
tr, that the department is proposing to
enforce the law with care not to un-
necessarily iujura any interests
As TO- the policy OF the eovernm , 70
enforce tire Sherman antitrust law. Mr..
vickersham simply referred 90 the state
r1ents made recently by himself and by
President TAFT. IN speaking directly Of
the United States Steel Corporation he
sd it should go without sa.-ing that a
great. complex combination OF corpora
tons under a centralized control. d.mi-
mating the trade of the country iG n
important industry. would not escape
the careful study and consideratio OF
the department.
Mr.. Wickersham did rot care 20 dis
Cuss again the statements ascribed 10
him in an article published on SATURDAY,
saving that his denial made in TIE Trih-
une on Sunday covered the case fully.
However. in response % inquiries re-
garding the possible prosecution Of the
steel Corporation. Mr. Wickersham made
the following statement.
To has been the consistent policy of the
department not 70 state In advance or
actual proceedings that action against
any particular party was in Contempia-
ton. There are many reasons why this
is the proper position 10 maintain. In
the FIRST place. until investigation is COM
plete II is not known whether or not a
case Of violation Of law exists and, IN
the second place the character Of the
proceeding cannot be determined until
then. and II the facts shall require Cri0-
iual proceedings to be resorted TO, ordi-
nary prudence would demand that pub
licity be not given 10 that fact until in
Glctments are found
Corporatiors To Be scrutinzed.
The purpose and duty Of the Depart
ment of Justice with respect 10 the en-
forcement OF the sherman law against
large combinations which are formed or
exist IN undue restraint Of interstate
commerce or which are attempting
MONOPOLY. have been declared a number
OF times tv the President and the At
t0rney General The carrying out Oh
that purpose requires the careful iuveS-
tiEation OF every one of the COmDina-
tiCns whose size, con- position and con-
troll of the particular business IN Which
engaged would give rise 10 a presump-
ton that IL was existing or acting IN
CC,traventi0n of the antitrust law.
Il should 60 without saying that
great complex combination OF corpora
lions under a centralized control, DOM
mating the trade Of the country IN an
important industry. would not escape the
careful STUDY and consideration OF the
department. Whether or not that exam
ration would result IN a proceeding to
compel a aisintesration Of the comblna-
ton into a number OF separate, dlsccn-
nected parts could not be determined
until such study and examination are
completed. Each case stands on its cwn
footing and depends upon IT'S own par
tculsr facts.
A conclusion on the part Of the depart
r7ent TO bring suit against a particular
NN
vent It from disputine the government
contention and defending the SUIT. Or,
IL IN authorization OF action by the gov
ernment. those in control or such com
bination should work out plan OF sep
sration to avoid illegal conditions, the
oeoartr7ent would necessarily give very
careful consideration to the plan, SO as
te avoid hostile action If possible.
No Indscriminate Attack,
Personally / should much prefer that
business interests should themselves so
readjust their organizations as to remove
all possible criticism concerning their
LEGALITY than that the Department OF
Justice should have TO conduct legal pre-
ceednas 20 compel such read ustment.
L cannot be too positively stated that
the department is not lnaugurstns a
campaign AGAINST the business interests
Of the country or an indlscrrinate at
tack on all larqe prosperous concerns.
On the contrary, the care anc Caution
with which the law officers OF the gov
ernnent are proceeding to the eSSmina
ton Of each case should be a guarantee
20 the country that the department IS
proposing 70 enforce the law with care
not to unnecessarily i1iure any interests
Mr Wickersham had a busy day con-
ferriug on the Tobacco and Powder
Trust cases, and incidentally consulting
with Henry a. Wise, United states At
torney and John W. RI. Grim, Assistant
Attorney. on various actions Of the gov
eminent pending in this district The
Attorney General arrived early in the
morning from Breton Woods. ~ r..
and Went directly 10 the Federal Build
ing, where he remained until late IN the
afternoon, having his luncheon served
In Mr Wlse's office.
His first business was 90 attend the
NTH conference on the reorganization
plan Of the American Tobacco Company
held In the presence Of Judges Lacom'e.
Moves and Ward. James q. McRe} noids.
Special Assistant Attorney General ana
Mr Grim represented the government,
and on behalf OF the American Tobacco
Company were present James i. DUKE
tne president Of the company; Percl'aI
= HILL its vice-p president. and W. W.
FULLER. JunIus Parker. De Lancey Ni'oI'
Lewis Cass Ledyard. Norris Miller am
sol. d. sroock. Of counsel for the to-
oacc0 interests.
j. p Richardson Ir n CO. Of Reids