The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-01
NO COMPROMISE IN
U. s. TRUST POLICY
Department Of Justice VIII Not
Yield Any Of It's Essen
tial Demands.
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE
Four Corporations Now Confer
ring on Adjustment Of
Alleged Defects.
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.--Departnent of
Justice officials deprecated to-day certain
statements published In the last few days
In regard to the policy Of preventing anti
trust litigation through agreements outside
OF courts. which were brought conspicu-
ously to the attention Of the public when
the telephone agreement was announced.
A report which occasioned especial dis
satisfaction was to the effect that no
similar agreements were In process Of
negotiation.
As a matter Of fact Il is known that
negotiations with the Government look
ing toward the adjustment Of alleged de-
fects In their organization and operations
have been undertaken recently by at least
-FOUR big corporations against which there
are suits pending In the Federal courts
These are the National Cash Register
Company. the American Thread Company.
the American Bill Posters Association and
the American Sugar Refining Company.
In addition the United Shoe Machinery
Company through it's legal representa-
tives held a series OF conferences with
officials Of the Department OF Justice
several weeks ago with the same end in
view. Later this corporation decided to
proceed with the taking OF testimony In
its defence before the United States Dis
trict Court at Boston.
The negotiations by the four corpora
lions named are in their preliminary stage.
They consist merely Of discussions with
regard to changes which must be made to
satisfy the Government that condition
Of competition will be reestablished.
No Policy Of Compromise.
The fact that the negotiations have been
initiated. however. Is regarded as positive
evidence OF two things: first, that a whole
some impression has been made by the
spirit displayed In the letters Of the Presi-
AarN ~ 10 t,k.
companfed the announcement of the tele-
phone agreement, and second. that there
exists In the business world n praiseworthy
desire TO confine their operations within u
reasonable construction OF the Sherman
act.
An official OF the Department corrected
also all impression which he thought had
been conveyed by reports relating TO the
peaceful policy Of the Administration.
The reports had represented the policy as
one Of compromise. and furthermore the
idea was given that oficials Of the De-
partment felt free to give publicity to
such negotiations soon after they were
initiated.
Departmental officials regard II as moth.
ing less than their duty TO withhold from
the public announcements OF such neEotia-
tons until an agreement should be
! reached. This principle. II was pointed
out. Is recognized already with regard to
eIOIt 70 dt compromise III pdHhTuPtcy Cdscs.
for statements about such proceedings are
not admitted as evidence for the prosecu.
ton.
The compromise spirit attributed to the
policy was declared to he entirely foreign
to II. The Government. II was stated, has
yielded no essential OF It's demands upon
corporations against which suits were
planned In any Of the instances In which
agreements were reached or considered.
There are no evidences as yet OF a hitch
in the negotiations for the reorganization
OF the New Haven road. which is prob-
ably the most important case under dis
cussion by the Department at present
Chairman Elliott of the board OF directors
II expected to come TO Washington some
time next week to lay before the Attorney
General report on the consideration by
, the directors Of the road OF the demands
OF the Government.
The demands upon the New Haven in
! volve a number OF technical problems OF
| reorganization or sale OF property and
| changes In road MANAGEMENT. and the At
, torney-General has felt constrained to be
| patient throughout the months that have
| elapsed since the negotiations were In
itiated by MIR. Elliott.