The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-06-20
PROSECUTE TRUST CRIMINALS

The supreme court, in deciding tue
civil case, pointed to the criminal
section of the law, yet Mr.. Wicker
sham has not taken any steps SO Tar
towards prosecuting anyone connect
ed with the company.
The Baltimore Sun asks the ques-
ton win the Attorney General
Prosecute Trust Criminals" and
then defines the tobacco case edito-
rially as follows:
Guilt is always personal, Gov.
Woodrow Wilson contends. and |.
criminal acts were committed some
men are responsible. Mr.. Wicker
sham mas been active in pressing me
lciyil cases for the dissolution OF the
trusts and deserves commendation
for the manner in which he has pre-
scented the governments arguments
to the supreme court in the Standard
oil company and American Tobacco
compaay cases. But the criminal
section OF the antitrust law has not
been enforced. Evidence ID the
courts disclosed the fact that the
sugar trust and some of its officials
were suilty of defrauding the gov
eminent. of using unfair methods
, against competitors. OF conspiirng 70
secure railroad rebates, even taking
Advantage of their own stockhoid-
Il lers: vet officers and owners go scot
!. free. Mr.. Stomson, the present sec
retary of war, was the government
attorney in charge of the sugar trust
/ cases. He explains that the criminal
Ie prosecutions we're abandoned be
cause there was not sufficient evi'
dence TO convict, as responsibility
for most of the alleged criminal act;
= was placed upon Mr.. Hayemeyer, ant
Mr.. Hayemeyer is dead. But In ths
case Of the tobacco trust the respoI
n sible officials are alive and engages
VI in active business. The same is tra'
of the officers of the Standard OF
COMPANY, the steel trust, the bee
trust ard numerous others.
The attorney general must hay
reasons for refusing 10 tell whetha
. he will prosecute trust officials Q
not. The introduction by Represen
tative nyrns tTenn.) Of resolutio
Expressing the opinion OF the hous
:, that :he directors OF the tobace
~ trust should be criminally prosecute
seems 10 indicate the belief anon
the members of congress that A'
"a wIckersham does not intend 70 inst
10 tute criminal prosecutions. II
questioners are asking the attornc
general whether he intends to 81
The force the Law. How can i be II
hat compatible with the public interest
for him 70 answer frankly? : He
not asked to disclose evidence or
me give away his case:" he Is only :
en- quested 10 state whether the depaT
nd ment Of justice will do It's best
carry out the provisions Of the erif
Inal section Of the Sherman act.
in' Calling attention 10 the fact tn
ae- no attorney general has enforced q
the sherman Law as criminal statI'
the New York Press holds that n
wickersham in particular has fall
w. TO grasp the opportunity Of Inspirii
~ respect among big Iaw-breakers {
!" 4 statute aimed TO check their erin
mai operations and ample for 9
purpose for which II was devised
The P.ess, which Is strongly repub
can In politics. asserts that .
O opinion is fast gaining ground ID
II il Incompatible with the pub
ara interest 10 retain In the service
an. the pablIe an attorney general who
Cor lack Of sympathy with the spirit
the sherman law has been NANTES
ed In . conspicuous manner" ~
the hardly believe that the teeth OF {
re- sherman act viii do much biting
adv criminal monopoiists while !
wlrkersham il the attorney genei
Of the United States" says the Pre-
on Mr.. wiokersham has fine opps
an tuniiy 10 disarm criticism BY franl
llyn declaring his intention 70 enforce !
be Law. II he fails to make a since
Iow. effort 20 enforce the criminal secti
of the Sherman act. be will streng'
are 90 the impression that when Il CON
the 10 the punichment Of rich and pow
who 10. criminals. the long arm Of {
up Iaw ia strangely shortened.
nov 80