New-York tribune., 1911-11-30
/. TALKS ON TRUSTS TWICE
WiCkerSham Draws Crowds That
Fill Y. M. C. A. and Church.
STATES FAIL TO CONTROL
They Are Responsible, Attorney
General Says, for the Growth
of Combinations.
STATES FAIL TO CONTROL

The auditorium nj the West Side Young
Mems christian Association was unable to
hold the crowd that assembled last night
TO listen 10 Attorney General Wickersham.
who oponod tnr seventh annual lecture
course of th, Finance Forum The Church
Of tho Strangers. across the way. opened
its doors 10 an overflow meeting that filed
il completely. and Nj Wickersham 70
peatcd the substance of his first address
before the larger assemblage in the church.
The Attornev Generals speech was brief,
but despite tho limitation Of time and the
fact that remarks Of a more general nature
consumed some minutes. he found an op-
purtunity 10 express himself on the trust
problem. and later 10 illustrate more fully
what he meant through his answers 10
questions put 20 him from the audience In
/ tho course Of a short discussion.
! lIr. Wickershams remarks on the trust
problem were not made in a fully con
rccted manner. they came I'm the course Of
an extomporaneous speech following fash
/ Ike some illusions 10 subjects more re-
motely related 20 trusts. and his talk IN
the Church Of tho Strangers supplemented
his remarks made in the auditorium Of the
Young Mems Christian Association.
since the decisions of the Supreme
Court have been handed down Mr Wick
; ersham said. there has laen much dis
cussion about tho trust problem in the pub
/ lie press throughout the country ! hav"
/ been very much struck with tho psucity
/ n real practical suggestions made as to
/ how wc should deal with tho situation.
There are tho extremists who have al.
/ va-s stood for tho greatest corporate and
incorrorato liberty Of business. and thev
nov want government control Of corpora
+ ,ions and their supervision There are the
/ other extremists who want absolutely free
competition and between these a." those
T y ho would Ike d little of each
mot an Easy Equation 10 Find"
/ we want 10 preserve as much iudiyid-
/ ua liberty az is consistent with IN" com
mon veal and that is not always an easy
equation 10 ind
THE first requirement NJ p free govern
meut is that II be strong enough to secure
equal opportunity 10 all. and, 10 my mind
! the ono suprcmoly important principle ~
stake is the preservation of equality 81
/ opportunity to every American boy and
every American man, no matter how low
! his station may be.
The trust problem has become duos-
tion OF whether the government Of all
shall WELD the power of all, or whether
part OF all shall dominate all"
His appearance at the Finance Forum
Mr. Wlckersham said AZ the beginning of
his address was not due 10 his being an
D ffe.f fr la hN
some knowledge Of spending money. but
he had accepted the invitation because Of
his interest I'm the course offered. Among
/ the m;tters that would come up during
/ the lectures We're corporations and their
! organization. and. naturally. he said, con
| s!dcration Of tEc government under which
corporations are formed and regulated
would have 10 come Up.
/ Speaking Of the necessity OF solving the
| trust problem. as Il had been suffered %
! become problem. tho Attorney General
said that the government must be strong
enough 10 resist the popular "lamor OF the
moment and able TO combat any forces
/ tnat might arise and threaten the exercise
of Justice. officials intrustcd with the con-
duct of government must be sufficient,
certain OF their offices. he added. 10 resist
/ the demand and 10 do what they con
sidered their sworn duty
/ After giving a brief outline Of The growth
Of trusts Mr.. Wickersham said that the
/ trouble originated with the states through
their failure % control the Incorporation
of new companies Whatever privileges
were 10 be given to corporations, given by
! the people 10 the few. he said should BE-
coupled with the understanding that they
were conferred by the people and should
/ bring rcccmpense TO the peonle
/ The Vice Of Our Legislation"
/ THE vice OF most OF our legislation in
/ the several states OF tine Union is that We
! have waited till the root OF evil has grown
| into a vast tree and it has become impos
! siblc TO remedy the evil without suffering
to innocent parties" he added.
There was no eageness to put questions
TO the Attorney General after ne had fin
shed his speech Mr Wickersham laughed
and declared the audience very consid-
crate ono. and his cordisity brought the
hrst questiouer to his feet.
what is the Attorney Generals opinion
OF the average ability Of the average state
legislator" came a question amid hearty
laughter
81 have had very little experience in
that line was Nj. Wickersham's diplo-
matte answer.
lie was then asked whether, il compeu
tlon We're restored the same process of
creating trusts would not be repeated.
II hope not was his answer. But that
will depend, a. everything else depend,
upon the vigilance of the people
Answering a further question. Mr.. Wick
crsham said ne considered the holding
company the greatest engine to create
trusts ever devised by the wit OF man. and
added that he was In favor of prohibiting
such companies.
~ am neither prophet nor the son o.
prophet he said. with q smile. when a
voice from the gallery asked nim whether
the Sherman Law would bo amended or re-
pealcd.
TO his aLdienco in the church Mr. Wick
ersham expressed himself as opposed 10 the
recall Of Judges, and To direct legislation
by the people He said he believed the
American people 10 be the most advanced
i'm the world. hut that he did not helieye
they were Capsh" or adoptinC measures Of
government 10y direct legislation.
1T seems absurd 10 me ne remarked.
TO sav that We have been unable to
our laws and therefore We viii make them
ourselves.
CROSSTOWN LINE LOSES SUIT
The petition of the Central Crosstoun
{ Railroad Company, asking that Receivers