The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-11-03
SOCIALISM AS
AN ALTERNATIVE
President Taft StoutIy Defends
Anti Trust Law.

Pittsburg, Nov. president Taft
defended the Sherman antitrust law
in answer to an address made by Con-
gresham Martin w. Littleton of New
York, who attacked provisions of the
law at a banquet of the Pittsburg
chamber of commerce.
This question has been eloquently
considered by my friend Littleton,"
said Mr.. Taft, "and Iregret the matter
has come up here. 1t savors of harsh.
ness to have difference Of opinion on
an occasion of this kind. But must
say what | think.
The Sherman law has been on the
statute books for twenty years and
has been construed, and construed and
construed, and finally by the supreme
court. The two decisions last spring,
in my judgment, give it definite NEAL
ing that any combination in restraint
of trade with the purpose of controlling
prices and sitting competition is vio-
lation of the statute. Men know
whether they intend to stifle competi-
ton and control prices and all that is
necessary in a court of law is to prove
the combustion and the intent. That
is all that Is needed for the enforce
ment of any criminal statute.
Law Can BE Enforced.
1T is not pleasant to be engaged In
what may seem to BE- an assault on
business, but business men thought
this law could not be enforced. Now
the law can and is being enforced and
because of this we hear that it is to
be repealed.
81 would cut my hand off before I
would injure business. But what has
my dear friend Littleton to offer?
Only one course is open. Either we
will have individualism or we will
have combinations in restraint OF
trade going to that point where the
people will demand that the power OF
men engaged in such corporations be
transferred to the government. And
then we will have state socialism.
Now we can disintegrate unlawful
corporations and put them under in
junction. If they operate they must
compete. -...-
Il know / am speaking against the
trend of many of you, but cannot
help it. The law is on the statute
books and must be enforced and this
sitting of competition and this con.
troll of prices must cease.
81 didn't want to get into this dis
cussion, but ], want you business men
to face this problem"
Remarks Frequently Applauded.
There was frequent applause during
the presidents remarks.
Mr.. Taft listened to the plea for the
repeal of the Sherman antitrust act
by Congressman Martin w. Littleton
OF New York, member of the special
house of representatives committee
that at the special session investi-
gated the United States Steel cor
poration.
Mr.. Littleton quoted both former
President Roosevelt and Mr.. Taft as
having at one time or another been
willing to have the Sherman law
amended.
1T seems clear to me-" said Mr..
Littleton, that the Sherman law can
not possibly be made effective in the
DISCRIMINATING of the real evil with
out carrying with it too large a sac
rifice of the whole industrial fabric
and that it should be absolutely re-
pealed and a new policy or scheme of
legislation inaugurated."
AS a solution of the problem Mr..
Littleton suggested that every cor
poration, before it entered interstate
business, be required to submit its
Incorporation and it's true condition
to a board created for that purpose,
and to obtain license to do inter-
state business.