The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1911-04-25
TRUSTS NOT IN SADDLE NOW,
For the First Time in Many Years
a House of Representatives is
Really Opposed TO Trusts-The
Senate and White House rlust
Next Get in Position OF People.

Washington, April %. On tn,
day the present Congress was called
to order, the writer happened to b
seated beside H. b. Martin, secretary
OF the American Antitrust League
Just after Speaker Champ Clark had
concluded his now famous opening
address, Dir. Martin turned toward
me and said:
There is a deeper meaning TO this
occasion than most Of the spectators
are aware. | am not sceaking from
a partisan viewpoint. What | allude
TO is that this is the first time in &c
years-the first time since the trust
problem has been acute in this coun-
try, that there is a real, out-and-out
antitrust majority in the House Of
Representatives"
Mr. Martin was well qualified ia
give an estimate OF the body of men
before him. For fourteen years be
had labored among the old members
Of Congress, and well knew how each
Of them stood on the trust question.
Then he had closely examined the
records Of the new members and had
ascertained their attitude on trusts
House its Own rlaster.
The fact that majority Of the
members OF the new House stand for
the passage Of the reciprocity meas.
ure and the farmers free list bill, is
evidence that the.lIouse is no longer
controlled by the tariff trusts.
Lumber, for instance, would not 60
on the free list If Big Business was
still in control. Heretofore the lum-
Der interests the same interests and
individuals that are alleged to have
elected and retained Eorimer in the
Senate-haye been able to prevent
lumber from going on the free list.
The fact that wire fencing and
other steel manufactures are placed
on the free list, and that a sweeping
investigation Of the steel trust will
soon be begun under the Stanley
resolution, is positive assurance that
the steel barons are no longer able
to dictate what bills shall die in
committee and what bills shall be
enacted into law.
1t is evident also that the nipple
ment combine has lost its grip on
the House, because agricultural i'm
plements, including plows, harrows,
reapers, binders and mowers, appear
on the farmers free list.
Nor is the beef trust still in CON-
mand. If it was, dressed meats
would continue to be taxed, instead
Of going on the free list, as provided
in the Democratic program.
Trusts Not in Saddle Now.
Until this session Of Congress the
lumber trust, steel trust, implement
trust and beef trust have had easy
sailing. They have had but to con-
tribute generously to Republican
campaign funds, receiving in return
at the hands Of the Republicans suf-
ficient protection to give them mo.
nopolies on American markets and
TO enable them to collect from con-
sumers in excessive prices not only
the amount of their campaign con-
tributions, but handsome profits in
addition thereto.
Men will always pay thousands to
politicians or to party funds in the
hope Of getting back millions. Tar
i'll for revenue not only tends to pre-
vent monopolies and the consequent
artificial prices, but cuts off lead
ing cause Of political dishonesty and
corruption.
Sherman Is Wise Old Owl.
Vice President Sherman makes an
ideal presiding officer OF the Senate
from the viewpoint OF the Old Guard.
lie knows how to sidetrack progress
sive legislation, and his heart is in
the work.
An instance: When the resolution
for the direct election Of
Senators, passed in the House by a
vote Of 296 to l6, was presented to
the Senate it was Immediately refer
red by Vice President Sherman to
the committee en- privileges and
elections.
This is the committee that white
washed Lorimor, and as constituted |
at present is dominated absolutely |
BY Tory senator's.
Inasmuch as the resolution in the
last Congress was referred to and
acted upon by the judiciary commit
tee, the Senate was amazed at Sher-
mans action. Culberson Of Texas
moved a reconsideration OF the ac-
hon and the resolution will prob
ably be turned over 10 the judiciary
after all. The incident is
impressive, however, as revealing