The Sentinel=record., 1911-07-27
TRUST LAW
 IS ATTACKED
BoRAH SAYS SHERMAN LAW IS A FAILURE OR ITS EXECUTION
 HAS BEEN TRIFLED WITH.
Recalls History of Formation of the Steel Trust In Defiance of Stat
 utes--Wants Operation of
 Law Closely Investigated.

Washington, D. O.. July 26. Fol- lowing an attack by SScuator Borah Iof Idaho on the enforcement of the Sherman anti-trust law in the 20 years it has existed, the senate to- day adopted a resolution offered by Senator Clapp of Minnesota, calling for an investigation into the oper- ation of the law to determine what change or amendments are necessary ito make it an adequate protection against unlawful monopolies and trusts. Mir Borahs arraignment of the statute was inspired by Senator lPomerene who called up his resolu- tion demanding criminal prosecution lof the officers of the Standard Oil land American tobacco companies, under decision of the Supreme court.
 The rtsolution of Senapor Clapp Igives authority to the senate inter- Istate commerce committee, of which The is chairman, to conduct a search ling inquiry into the operation of the flaw and to make recommendations 10 the senate of any changes 1t may think necessary relating to the ere ation and control of corporations en- Jagged in interstate commerce.
 Either the Sherman law is fail- lure," declared Senator Borah, wrong
 lin contemplation of law and inexpe-
 dient as an economic proposition
 or else there has been the most re- lmarkable trifling with the execution
 of the law that has ever been noted
 since 1t was first placed upon the statute books to be regarded and obcyed by man.
 MT. Borah said the Sherman law
 had been in effect for twenty years
 with our apparently simple efficient
 and drastic remedies" against illegal
 combinations or trusts.
 Without specifically mentioning Ithe United States Steel Corporation.
 Senator Borah said:
 Everyone will remember when one of the greatest combinations
 that we know to exist, before 1t was formed, advertised in the newspa-
 pers for weeks and months ahead
 that 1t was going to he formed. Tho details to a remarkable degree were Isiyen. t was known before the cor poration charter was filed and the combines made that shis powerful
 combination with s70o,B00 of watered
 stock. supported by the most mary elous banking combine in the world
 was going into existence while this flaw existed prohibiting it and giving the government the power to restrain Its formation.
 Notwithstanding that this infor- lmation was at hand and the remedy
 known and provided fory notwith- } standing that the details and the : facts to remarkable extent were laid ) before the people. the means which } were provided for under the law of
 enjoining it's formation were not in
 voked and the statute was permitted
 to remain a dead letter during the
 time of the formation of this corpor- ation which has now apparently pass led beyond the control of the gov- ernment of the United States.
 "A corporation or those promoting lit notifies the people In defiance of
 the law, that it would be formed land how it would be formed; the extent of it's power and then proceeds ] in the face of the statute aud today exercises most marvellous power in lthe financial world, in the political world and in the industrial world. land If mistake not, places the stamp of approval or disapproval up- on many an act of legislation in the
 congress of the United States"
 -------~----------------~