The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-06

tfra 10 -pSN. IN
q. ~. "te"sr-ss". th- other hand.
however. The Attorney Central does
not pass judgment upon the efficacy
al the antitrust act as criminal sta
tute. lie merely says. The experience
Of the last ar In endeavoring 10 en-
force criminal liability under tho Sher-
man law has not been encouraging
The ATTORNEY General defends the
Commerce Court, tho abolition Of which
was attempted At the last session OF
Congress : return 20 the old method
Of distributing litigation arising from
the orders 0f the Interstate Commerce
Comm ssion 10 tir- district courts
would be Injurious 70 the interests OF
the public and delay the administration
Of justice. ssvs Mr.. Wickersham.
Courts Find NO DisscuIty.
Drawing conclusions from the de-
crees Of dissolution and injunction
which already have been entered under
the sherman law. Mr.. Wickersham
maintains that the Federal courts are
exercising IN equity suits power to
restrain which Is cocxU- nsive with the
evils against which the Sherman law
was enacted The courts have found
10 difficulty. hc adds. in applying the
terms o. the law to meet and enioin
the continuance Of any form Of unfair
TOmpetifiOn which has resulted n i'm
posing an undue restraint upon inter
state commerce. or which makes for
monopoly.
These DEGREES. the Attorney-General
continues. demonstrate that no amend
tnert Of the law in the direction ct
declaring the iliegahty of particular
practices Is necessary TO ciothe the
courts with fun power 70 prevent any
and all acts which may be employed
10 accomplish the illegal purposes de-
nounced b. the statute.
Il am strongly of the opinion" says
Mr. Wickersham. that the advocacy
Of amc ndments OF the law which shall
particularize different acts as consti-
futing unlawful restraints or attempts
81 monopoly has its origin. not 50 much
with those who desire the enforcement
OF the law, as with thos- who are
snAiOus to secure safe means OF its
evasion An enumeration by statute
az the different practices which. in and
Of themselves. without regard 10 the
circumstances of particular CASES
should be declared Illegal. viii eithsE
go too far or not far enough"
Wants Hearings Public.
The Attorney General takes issue with
iirs decision OF Judges Colt Putnam
and Brown. of Boston. authorizing the
(
OF the civil antitrust suit against the
United Shoe Machinery Company. and
asks FOR legislation admitting the pub
lie and representatives OF the prrss 10
such hearings
The decision. Il appears TO me"
continues Mr.. Wickersham is based
EpOn a manifest miscOnception OF the
nature of the proceedings and the
character of the parties. when the
government OF the United States is
party to a suit. and particularly to
suit brought under the Sherman anti
trust law. to prevent unlawful re-
etraints upon interstate commerce OF
foreign commerce-essentiaIly a mat
ser Affecting the public-all the people
tave a legitimate interest in the pro-
eesdings and are entitled TO know just
what evidence Is being given and when
81 IS given The public are the real
parties 20 the suit
The suit against the coffee trust"
Or the Brazilian valorization scheme.
the operations OF which the Attorney
General says. has resulted in more than
doubling the retail price OF coffee 10
the American consumer and thereby
Saving a heavy tax upon him. has de-
veloped what the Attorney General re-
ga rds as a defect in the stu operative
Section Of the Wilson tariff Law deal
ing with combinations. Pointing 10
the fact that the government was IN
eble 10 secure a temporary Injunction
restraining the expectation az $4,000
tags OF coffee. said 10 be stored in
New York City under tn vaiorizaiion
scheme the Attorney General recon-
Inen1s the enactment % an amendment
60 the Wilson law. authorizing the
reizune by the government In the state
OF entry % merchandise imported for
the purpcs OF unlawful combination At
present such commodities must be In
the course of interstate transportation
70 Justify seizure.
Restoring Competition.
T1e voluntary dissolution Of the
National Packing Company. following
the acouitfal al Chicago Of the beef
packers Of criminal violation OF the
sherman law. has accomplished. in the
belief Of the Atto-ney-CreHerai "a sub