The Washington herald., 1913-05-26
WAR ON TRUSTS
BY M'REYNOLDS
Vigorous Prosecutions Of In.
dividuals Also VIII Distin-
guish Administration.
INVESTIGATORS ARE BUSY
1t Is Possible that Contempt Proceed
ings May Be Started Against
Standard.

Vigorous prosecution of corporations
and individuals for violations of the anti
trust law will distinguish the administra-
ton of Attorney General ]. C. Mercy
nolds.
Mr.. McReynolds Is directing a number
OF important government Investigations
which may lead to new prosecutions. Re-
Gently It was announced that the govern
ment would renew its efforts to punish
James A. Patten and others who engaged
In cotton pool on the New York mar
ket. During the Taft administration this
case was carried. on its criminal features.
to the Supreme Court by Patten and
others who had been indicted.
The government was disappointed in
the decision, and Attorney General Nc
Reynolds proposes to have another test
Of the law in its application to market
corners on commodities.
Special investigators have been sent to
New England TO investigate the New
Haven transportation monopoly and into
Washington and Oregon TO investigate
the telephone trust said to exist there.
Each OF these investigations is expected
to result in important government suits
The New Haven case has been pending
for some time, and the special investi-
CATION 10 be made by the Department of
Justice will be sweeping and searching
A force OF twenty special investigators
will be sent out June / by the depart
ment to probe the American Smelter and
Refining Company, especially with re-
spect to its control Of the Federal Smell
ter Company and the acquisition of the
latter company's stock. Preliminary in
vestigations made by the Department of
Justice are held to Justify a general in
quiry into the affairs of the Smelter
Trust. with a view TO prosecution for
violations of the antitrust laws.
After Cigar Stores.
Attorney McReynolds has under con-
sideration another prosecution of the
American Tobacco Company. The At
torney General prosecuted this trust
originally. He is not satisfied with the
dissolution decision won by the govern
ment in the Supreme Court, and would
like to again test the law to see If the
dissolution cannot be made more effective.
The trusts cigar stores escaped the first
decision.
1t is possible. also, that contempt &C
ton may be brought against the Standard
Oil Company, on the charge that it has
failed to comply with the dissolution as
directed by the Supreme Court. The de-
down, and the lower Federal Court has
approved the dissolution plan presented
TO the company. The contempt would lie
in failure by the company officers to
obey strictly the dissolution plan agreed
on.
Next week the government win file its
briefs in the Federal Court OF Philadel-
phia against the anthracite coal-carry-
ing roads and allied coal companies for
their s. per cent carrier contracts with
the independent companies.
Mr.. McReynolds is moving to enforce
the antitrust laws on the assumption
that he Is to be given by Congress all
the money necessary for the work. Of
ficials of the Taft administration con-
tended that they were embarrassed by
the failure of Congress 10 appropriate
$50 90 needed to enable them 10 conclude
pending Investigations. Mr.. McReynolds
is working now under the appropriation
then allowed to Attorney General Wick
ersham. Before its adjournment Con-
gress could make a deficiency appropria-
ton for the Department OF Justice should
II become necessary. The department
has not asked for more money.