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Show KNOX ON THE TRUST QUESTION. His Letter to Chairmen of Congressional Con-gressional Judiciary com. Washington, Jan. 0 .Attorney-General .Attorney-General Knox lias addressed Identical letters to Senator Hoar, chairman of " the Senator Judiciary committee, and Representative Llttlclleld, chairman of the sub-committco of the House Judiciary committee, giving his views on the subject of trusts. These letters let-ters arc In reply to communications sent him by Senator Hoar and Mr. Llttlclleld asking tho views of Mr. Knox. The letter embraces three subjects, sub-jects, the questions which have been decided by the courts, the questions which are pending In tho courts and i suggestions respecting further legls--A latlon. Under the latter head, Mr, Knox says: In view of tho wide experience of the committee In dealing legislatively with legal and economical questions I venture upon the line suggested with much hesitation and feeling that the utmost tho committee desires in this respect is that something be set down that may bo considered in connection with other views thatmay'be presented, present-ed, as to what might be done within the short period allowed for consideration considera-tion ilurlng the life of this present Congress. I think It proper enough to briefly premise such suggestions as I shall make for Immediate action by'a statement state-ment of some of the l'easons upon which they arc based. The end desired by the overwhelm? Ing majority of the people of all sections sec-tions of the country is that combinations combina-tions of capital should be regulated and not destroyed, and that measures should be taken to correct tho tendency tend-ency toward monopolization of the Industrial In-dustrial business of tho country, I assume as-sume a thlngJ.o be avoided, even by suggestions, Is legislation, regulating the business Inteiests of tho country beyond such as will accomplish this end. In my judgment a monopoly in any y Industry would be Impossible In this (W country, wheio money Isabundantand I ' cheap and In the hands or within tlte reach of keen and capable men If competition com-petition were assured of a fair and open Held, and protected against unfair, un-fair, artlllcial and discriminating practices. Two or more persons or corporations cannot by any combination or arrangement arrange-ment betweem themselves cither contract con-tract or expand the rights of others to engage in a similar business. The utmost ut-most they can do Is to dlscouiago the disposition to do so by restricting tho opportunities, or by securing to themselves them-selves some exclusive facilities or the enjoyment of some common facilities upon exclusive terms. If the law will guarantee to tho smaller producer, protection against I piratical methods in competition and I keep the two pathways to the market I open and available to him for the same toils charged to his powerful compctl- tor ho will manage to live and thrive to an astonishing degree. Individualism In production has Its I advantages as well as combination. Small Individual enterprises not un- commonly spring up and thrive with- In the shadow of tho larger ones, though enjoying none of their sup-I sup-I posed advantages of control of couises B of raw material, iuel and transporta-Bfc transporta-Bfc tlon facilities, yet realizing largo prof-B'Jr prof-B'Jr Its per ton of output becauso of the B. close economics possible through dl-B' dl-B' rcct, personal, Interested manago- ment." B Mr. Knox suggests legislation dlrcet- B ed against those who give and receive B advantages enabling discrimination in B prices. This to take the form of pen- B ullzing the transportation of goods B and Federal courts should be given B tho power to restrain such transport- B atlon.JIo says the present law Is not B sufficient to meet existing conditions. fl The operation of any law on tho sub- B ject, he says, should be limited to B common carriers. B An additional publication should be B made, he said, to reach cojpoiatlons, B combinations and associations which B produce and manufacture wholly B within a State,but whose products or B sales enter Into Interstate commer.se. B It should 1 elate, llrst to such con- B cerns as fatten on rebates In trans- B portatlotis, and second, to concerns B which sell below tho general price of a B v commodity or wantonly to seek to do- B stroy competition. B A comprehensive plan lould be B framed to enable the Government to B'fc get at all the facts bearing on tho Bl r organization and practice? of concerns B " engaged in Interstate and foreign com- B merce essential to full understanding B and to compel observation of the law. I ' g., o Ho recommends a commission to aid in carrying out tho act of July 2, 1800, which shall make an Investigation into in-to tho operations of corporations and combinations, with authority to make inquiry and have power to require re-quire reports from them. No persons should be excused from producing books, contracts, etc., in courts. Continuing, Mr. Knox says: "Legislation "Leg-islation to correct trust abuses should be developed with great care for It is not nearly so Important to act quickly as to act wisely," He recommends legislation to hurry final decision In cases now pending and which maybe lalscd under tho anti-trust law. |