The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-20

OYSTER BAY, August ls.--S@vere
criticism against the Taft aduinistra-
ton for its handling OF the trust prob
lem was levelied by Colonel Roosevelt
tonight. in reply 10 an attack upon him
In Washington by Attorney General
Nickcraham, The ex-president. after
hamnaering Wickersham for failure to
break I'D the Tobacco and Standard
oil trusts. observed that the Stanley
committee attitude toward the trusts
was equally weak. New Mr.. Wicker
sham and Mr.. Sanley can decide which
prefers the comparison" remarked the
colonel with sardonic grin.
In his reply TO Wiokersham the col
caei said,
The more suits against trusts that
are brought to conclusion the WAY
MIR. Wickersham brought 10 d eonclu-
s,na the Standard Oil and Tobacco
trust cases, the better II will be for the
trurts. RI Mr.. Wickersham will con-
duct few more suits OF tho same
kind. he Will confer benefits upon the
trusts such as all OF them put to-
seetner cannot confer on themselves.
The worst blow the antitrust Jaw has
ever received has been given by the
decisions rendered under Mr.. Wicker
shar's guidance in the closing action
taken against the Standard OH and
Tobacco trusts. and any man who de-
tends those decisions, or who having
those decisions in view, iustfaeS the
present position in connection with
the trusts, or thinks II satisfactory il
rot warranted in receiving any fur
Their attention from any man who 10
sincerely DESTROYS Of solving the trust
problem.
What We Did.
TN the Northern Securities case We
broke up the railroad combination. II
has no parallel of any kind or sort to
these cases. and MI Wtckersham
knew that perfectly. Moreover. In my
message to congress and In nay
speeches Immediately after we got the
decision in the Northern Securities
case. pointed out that even In that
case although We actually accom-
plished n great deal whereas in the
Tobacco Trust and Standard OIL cases
Mr.. Wickersham accomplished consid~
erably less than nothing the result
showed that the antitrust law by it
self was wholly incapable OF giving
adequate solution of the difficulty. and
that the problem of controlling the
great corporations can only be met by
strengthening the interstate commerce
law. and by providing for the same
kind of administrative control over
the great industrial concerns engaged
in interstate business as the Interstate
commission exercises sver the rafa+
ways Farseeing men. who really de-
sire to accomplish results. then saw
that this position had been taken in
the Progressive national platform.
Benefits Crooked Business.
This policy which received its
highest expression in the final action
taken with Mr. wiekersham's APP
prevail in the tobacco and oil trust
cases, is one of make-beiieVe. and IL
preposterous from every standpoint.
II benefits the big crooked business
concerns, II keeps honest business men
puzzled and anxious, and shows the
utter futility OF attempting to settle
this problem by mere succession OF
law suits
There could probably he no more
"a bsurd method advised excepting the
nathod recommended by the Stanley
committee In their essence the Wick
Z efsffam- Stanley methods are alike. ami
adequately represent the effort to APP
ply the machine Republican and ma
chine Democratic platforms on this
subject and prove beyond possibility
Of contradiction that neither of the
old parties offer the slightest hope
Of SO much as serious attempt -
settle the trust problem.
ITO carry out either of their policies
In this matter means merely harm 10
the average citizen. whether wage
worker, consumer or small rival, an
dement, To the great SoHiPludtipfs
against whom 1t is pretended that the
politics are aimed"
Those Campaign Funds.
OYSTER BAY. n. ". August 1a.-
Colonel Roosevelt today dictated a
long statement covering. as he said.
every phase of the connection between
the funds OF his campaigns In the
past and the representatives Of big
business interests. He specifically de-
MED that either ne or his lieutenants
had received any financial assistance
from the Standard Oil company. or
any Of its agents. and he replied to
the charge Of Senator Penrose con-
corning the digpaalt;on Of the $25,-
900 contribution az John p. Archbold,
OF the standard lna company. in 1907.
He declared that Judge Alton p.
A, Parker had not charged that Roose-
apAit's campaign funds had been boz
et4red up ~ the trustss but ~ aid
that Packers charge was fhAt the
I ncnoyD md be6n iniproDeffy receiy-
4 gellz5 q. ]! q! t 3 q. l. 4 sss1sss'
III ~ ss