The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-11-01

tonisnt. which was regarded as hav-
nc direct bearing upon the Govern
msnts latest, antitrust prosecution.
against the United States steel Cor
'poration. President Taft denied In
Vigorous language thai the Admin.
istrstion was being influenced by pol
itical motives. ~
81 woald rather cut of my right
hand" he exclaimed. than to ID any
thing to disturb the business Of the
country. especially with a motive Of
ssltivstins political success"
The President said he wanted it'
to be understood for all time that he
intended to enforce the antitrust
law 70 the letter.
Statements az TO what I might be
responsible for In bringing about
business troubles. however regretful
\ may be that II is 30. cannot turn
me from the duty that lies straight
Before me-" said Mr.. Taft.
He spots to an immense throng. IN
the nrst restmentai armory hall. and
HI antitrust declarations called out
storm OF applause and cheering.
There was no doubt as to what was
In the Presidents mind when he
aid:
II come TO the subject Of trusts at
at time when the matter Is boiling"
The president had declared ne be-
heved the railroads OF the country
had brought themselves within the
lew ard were conSclentiously trying
to keep within II.
IT hope that at some not far dis
tans time the same thing can be said
OF he great Industrial combinations,
hs said Merely bigness OF plant,
nersfy bignes OF company or cor
porstion does not constitute a VIOLA
ton Of the law. 1t is purpose to re-
tain trade. to suppress competition
and control prices that transgresses
tho statute and the Supreme Court
hAs decreed. that these practices must
end
Throughout my career" he said. |
Il Rave always conducted myself with
the idea Of promoting business and
promoting prosperity. IL there 10
anything that arouses disgust In me, |
II In the calamity howler--the man
WIN attacks business and seeks to |
arouse prejudice against IL. Prosper
ity we all need We are all In the |
same boat"
u wss- here that the president de- |
chred ne would rather cut off his
right hand than disturb budness for
political motives
But" ne added. 1--WE have a con-
dition OF Iawiessness to deal with. |
We have had IL for twenty years. We
have gone on organizing Combinations |
I'm violation OF the antitrust law. on
the theory that II either could or
would not be enforced.
The Supreme Court has held that
this lawlessness must be stamped out.
@ss'fN u" ~ tiotfttioH III the eX-
scutive branch TO suspend a single
statute. IL In his duty to enforce the
INV and to direct the prosecution OF
those who violate IL.
There is vast difference between
uniting plants to reduce the cost OF
production and uniting to suppress
control prices A jury could find that
difference I'm two minutes. IL is a
question OF evidence Of fact.
Il am Just now I'm the remarkable
position of being charged with an at
tempt TO destroy busin ess by enforcing
tho "n:i-trust statute and OF having
set up the Supreme Court to emas-
eulste that statute In the interest of
the trusts.
II am hopeful this period Of strain
soon win end. that business soon will
sqaure itself with the law. believe
q majority OF business already Is
square with the law.
TO cure the corporations that are suf-
ferins from contagion and disease.
and that is 10 eradicate the disease.
The law will be enforced TO the let
ter. Now hope that Is understood"
With the arrival of President Taft.
for q stay of three days. Chicago re-
sembled somewhat the Capital OF the
country. BESIDES the President. Chi