The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-11-02
Pointedy Sets Forth the Fact that While Wilson Has
Been Governor of New Jersey, He Has Failed, AL
though Having Power, to Control Trusts Or
ganized Under Laws of that State.
ATTACKS THE REPUBLICAN TARIFF PROGRAM
The Colonel Proves that Wilson Stands for State Rather
Than National Control of Monopoly-Refused to
Aid Legislation which Would Better Control
the Trusts in New Jersey.

The rest of the country is going for
ward while New Jersey has stood still.
Do you scrutinize any Of the corpora
tions which you create in such num-
bers? Not at all. Corporations authoris.
ed to exist by the state of New
Jersey are, because of the au-
thority of New Jersey. selling stocks
and bonds which are of no value. and
are robbing the people
''In his first message TO the legisla-
ture. January II, 1911, Gov. Wilson re-
newed with emphasis his promise to
deal with the New Jersey trusts. He
described them as having slipped out
of the control of the very law that
gave them leave to be. and can make
and- unmake them at pleasure and de-
clared we have set ourselves to con-
troll them soberly. but effectively, and
to bring them within the law. This is
a great obligation as we'll as a great
opportunity of an imperative obligation
from which we cannot escape IL We
would. No man who wishes to enjoy
the public confidence dares hold back
and If he is wise he will not resort to
subterfuge.'
He Had Opportunity.
There was ample opportunity for
Governor Wilson to act either by Sc
curing legislative action or proceeding
against the trusts without the inter
vention CO the legislature. Section Nv.
of the New Jersey corporation act pro-
vides: The charter of every corpora
tion or any supplement thereto or any
amendment thereof shall be subject
to alteration. suspension or repeal
in the discretion of the legisla-
tion and the legislature may.
at pleasure dissolve any corpora
tion.' Chapter 257 of the laws of 1905
provides: Amy person or persons who
being officers, directors, managers or
employees of any corporation incor-
porated under the laws OF this state
shall wilfully use. operate or control
said corporation for the furtherance or
promotion of any fraudulent or uniaw-
full object shall be guilty of a misde-
meanor.'
"The supreme court of the United
States has solemnly declared that the
Standard Oil and Tobacco trusts have
II
full conduct which this New Jersey
statute declares to be a misdemeanor.
Mr.. Wilson has been governor for -
months. He now says that he wishes
to proceed against the directors and
managers of these trusts individually.
He has, and for % months as COVER
nor of New Jersey. had ample oppor-
tunity and and every possible means
for thus proceeding against them and
for over year has had the decision
of the supreme court as warranty for
such procedure. but he has never lift
ed his finger to take IT,
A "ooeiIe" Legislature.
"He has had the amplest opportunity
and he himself declared that IL was his
duty to proceed against these trusts
by legislative act The legislature OF
New Jersey of 1911 stood one house
Republican and the other house Dem
ocratic. That of 1912 was Republican
in both branches but Mr.. Wilson in
speeches at Trenton on May last
and in Camden on May Is last explic-
lilly stated that the legislature was
'docile' and that the legislature NOV
ed forward with zest,' that various re
forms which he advocated passed the
legislature with refreshing ease
though one house was Democratic and
the other Republican Yet from these
'docile' legislative. bodies which NOV
ed forward with .zest' and which he
praises for moving with such refresh
ing and surprising ease he never by
the legislation about the trusts which
he had stated was necessary. Yet mem
bers of both parties. when Mr.. Wilson
failed to give them lead. themselves
endeayored TO secure the necessary
trust legislation.
The Republican senator. Mr.. Col
gate introduced bill. number 165, to
investigate the New Jersey trust laws;
the Democratic assemblyman. Mr.. DON
nelly introduced several bills. among
them No I63 entitled THE New Jer-
sey antitrust bill, after Mr.. Wilson
had declined to give the legislature
lead in this matter and when the mem
bers of the legislature gave him lead
he still declined to lift finger in their
aid. And naturally, in view of this
attitude of passive opposition on his
part the legislature failed to act
Head Walters Advice.
Through Senator Beveridge and on
the suggestion of one of the private
citizens of the country. Mr.. Healy. a
head waiter in one of our hotels. I
asked Mr.. Wilson certain questions as
follows:
(Continued on Pase Gent)