Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-29
WITHOUT MUCH HOPE
Minority Leader Mann Doesn't
Expect Much of Congress.
SAYS SESSION WILL DRIFT
Declares Trust Question Too Much
for Democrats.
DIFFICULTY OF LEGISLATION
Much More Enthusiastic Over the
Big Turkey He Has Received
From Rhode Island.

Representative James r. Mann of Illi-
| nois, the House minority leader, sat in
his room in the Capitol yesterday after
noon eying a great arrogant turkey COB
bier which, inclosed in a frail crate, stood
in a corner returning his gaze with inter-
est. Mr.. Mann beamed anticipation and
looked happy. In the gobbler's beady orb
| there was considerable apprehension.
Just think" cried the minority leader.
enthusiastically, when two or three of
his newspaper friends entered the room,
this noble bird is a brother of the mag
nificent specimen that will grace Presi-
dent Taft's table Thanksgiving day. His
father was genuine wild turkey from
the forests of Virginia. His mother was
a well domesticated bird, born and reared
in Rhode Island. Horace Vose of Wester-
ly, in that state. was his foster parent.
and Representative Utter gave him to
me-
What are the prospects for the pas
sage of legislation intended to strengthen
the Sherman law" one of Mr.. Mann's
visitors inquired.
Il am glad you asked that question"
returned Mr.. Mann. II was just about
to say that Representative Utter sent
| me letter with the turkey.
With due apology to Colley Cibber''
Mr.. Mann read I am taking the liberty
that it may not be for mortas to COM
| mand a presidential Rhode Island turkey
| for Thanksgiving, but there are folks who
do better and deserve one. That is why
there has been shipped to you a genuine
Rhode Island turkey. brother of the
fellow who has gone to the White House
| by the same express. His father was
wild bird from Virginia and his mother
domesticated bird from Rhode Island
Hence he ought to be pretty good, be-
cause he combines the freedom of the
south with all the reputed clture of New
England.
That is what / consider cute letter."
MIR. Mann concluded, tucking the missive
| in his pocket. The gobber in the corner
gobb.ed plaintively.
But" somebody suggested. ito get
| back to politics and such things
Country con the Blink
oh said Mr.. Mann with a bored look,
and in purest Chicagoese. '.the demo-
cratic House of Representatives has al
ready put the country on the blink. Bust
ness languishes, manufacturing is partly
paralyzed; money is plentiful, but oppor-
tunity is lacking. The black plague of
national democratic success threatens
and enterprise and prosperity flee
You were about to say something
about the possibility Of amendments to
the antitrust law" somebody else COM
mented.
Were WEE" Mr.. Mann responded, with
lingering glance at the turkey in the
corner. We'll. the democratic leaders
| have announced their intention to amend
| the Sherman antitrust law and make it
| more drastic and more certain. 1t is
easy to make harsher penalties but
/ harsh penalties do not add to the effect
| iveness Of a prohibitory statute. Too
| harsh penalties make conviction harder
and enforcement Of law no easier.
1
1T is not easy to make the antitrust
law more certain. Such a law can only
lay down general proposition. 1t cam
| not explicitly and in terms define the
many varied conditions which may arise
| out OF changed circumstances. 1t is like
statute to punish fraudulent practices
| What constitutes fraud is determined by
| tne varying circumstances Of each case
| and yet he who wishes to avoid fraud
| ulent practices has no difficulty in keep
| ing entirely away from such practices
| II Will take years of court decision
and construction to draw the line be-
| tween what is and what is not pro-
| hibited by the antitrust law close to the
line OF demarcation, but unless one wants
TO get close to that line there will be
little difficulty. Let there he competition
where competition is practical and gov
| eminent regulation where monopoly is
inevitable. But monopoly should not be
allowed except where 1t is natural The
day OF competition in business is not
past. Government should not regulate
prices in competitive business. II should
not fix wages in private business When
government fixes wages and prices in
business it would better own the bust
ness and run it.
What do you think will happen at this
session of Congress- Mr.. Mann was
asked.
Expects Nothing of Congress.
Nothing" he replied, laconically. The
democrats have no fixed policies beyond
their determination to destroy the pro-
tective tariff system. They are guided
by no principles The question of the
lbig trusts and combinations is entirely
beyond them. They will not illumine the
situation. The session will dawdle along
like a dereict at sea. II will simply
drift In appropriations it will be penur-
Gus where II ought to be liberal and ex-
travagant where it ought to be econom-
cal. And it will be long session. We
may be here next October. The only
liked principle Of the democratic majority
is to assault successful business
How about the presidential situation %
three men inquired at once.
Il am glad to answer thai," replied
Mr.. Mann, eying the gobhler again. Il
understand that chestnut stuffing is very
superior.
And thea ever. 53dy went out and LEFT
.i.... Ia .ilii the Sobbier.