The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-10-24
STEEL TRUST BACK
OF TRUST PLAN
Charge Challenged, Gov Wilson
Returns With Prompt and
Convincing Answer.
COUNTRY WAITED FOR CLASH.

VVONbub UHtb6O VII VAnOtu
Wondered II IL Was to Produce q
Parallel of Parker. Episode-More
Proof If II 10 Wanted.
When the country read on the morn
ing of Oct the charge Of Woodrow
Wilson before his audiences in Color
ado that the steel trust is back of the
Roosevelt program of trust regulation
and In the same papers Colonel Roose-
velt's demand for proof of the asser-
zion it sat up and took notice. Would
this produce parallel Of the famous
episode of the 1904 campaign, when
the colonel called Judge Parker a liar
for asserting (what has been so recent
ly provedD that the corporations were
contributing to the Roosevelt cam
paign?
There was eager waiting for Cover
nor Wilson's answer. 1t came prompt
ly the next day In his speech at Kan
sas City. Concisely, convincingly and
dispassionately Governor Wilson met
the Roosevelt challenge, and should
the controversy be pressed further the
Democratic candidate will give the bull
moose all he wants, for the corrobora
ton whereof he spoke is abundant.
Wilson's Charge.
At Pueblo. the center Of the western
steel industry. Governor Wilson said:
evidence of what am about to sax
comes to me by way Of confederation
every day in forms that cannot ques-
ton. 1t is very interesting circum.
stance that the United States Steel cor
poration is behind the third party pro-
gram with regard to the regulation of
the trusts
Nov, / do not say that to prejudice
you. ! am perfectly ready to admit
that the officers of that corporation
may think that the third party is the
best thing for the United States. That
Is not my point. My point is that these
gentlemen have grown up in the atmos
phere of the things they themselves
have created and that the laws of the
United States so far have attempted to
destroy the things that they have Gre
ated and that they now want a govern
| ment which will perpetuate the things
they have created,
"You therefore have to choose now d
government such as the United States
Steel corporation thinks the United
States ought to have or government
such as we used to have before these
gentlemen succeeded in setting up pri-
vate monopoly
Roosevelts Challenges.
The same night at Albany, N. Y.
Colonel Roosevelt upon reading reports
Of Governor Wilson's speech said:
"As far as know the statement has
not the slightest foundation in fact
Mr.. Wilson has no business to make
such a statement unless he has the
proof, and II he has any proof de
mand that he make it public imme-
diately. If he has not let him retract
his statement as the only manly and
honorable thing to do"
Wilson's "Retort Courteous"
The next night Governor Wilson
made this reply before the great au.
dience that greeted him in Kansas
City:
| Il understand from the newspaper
reports that Mr.. Roosevelt was dis
4 tressed by my suggestion the other day
that the United States Steel corpora
ton was back of his plan for control
ling the trusts. He interpreted my re
| mark to mean that they were support
thinking about money.
II do not know whether they are
supporting him with their money OF
not. It does not make any difference
What meant was that they are sup
porting him with their thought. and
their thought is not our thought.
meant, and | say again. that the kline
of control which he proposes Is the
kind Of control that the United States
Steel corporation wants
II am perfectly willing to admit thai
they think it Is the best for the coun
try. MY point is that this is a method
conceived from the point of view OF tht
very men who are to be controlled and
that that is Just the wrong point OF
view from which to conceive it.
IF Mr. Roosevelt is willing to have
Mr.. Perkins suggest how the corpora
tons ought to be regulated why viii
he not be willing to take suggestion.
from the same quarters as to the de
tails Of the regulation? Mark you. la
dies and gentlemen, ! am not discuss
ing individuals. ! know Mr. George
Perkins. have no quarrel with any
thing except his judgment He does
not look at these things in the way
men who do not wish to nccustom theii
minds to monopoly look at them
There should be an Immediate revi
SIGN of the tariff downward. 1t should