Homeopathic Trust Legislation

The congressional situation as to trust legislation is somewhat confusing and difficult for the public to understand. The Rockefeller telegrams would seem to indícate on their face that the Standard Oil trust at least fears the effect of the publicity clause of the senate trust measure. Still, of course, it is altogether possible that this particular trust sent these telegrams purposely to influence congress favorably toward the Elkins bill, fearing that if that measure is not enacted some more strenuous measlure may be. The democrats in congress appear to regard the senate measure as an entirely harmless measure intended to accomplish nothing in the way of regulating and controlling the trusts, but simply to deceive the people, and cause them to remain quiet for a time. But there are many who think the president is too honest a man to enter upon such a piece of legislation for any such purpose. But of course it must be remembered that President Roosevelt has a very strenuous desire to succeed himself in the presidential office and that under such circumstances his scruples may not be as alert on the subject as they otherwise might be. The proper handling of the trust question is an issue of the greatest magnitude. The wealth back of these overgrown financial syndicates wields a tremendous influence and this influence will undoubtedly be thrown against any adequate control or interference with their present monopolistic management of their various industries. Then the time at the command of congress is short for any well digested legislation on the subject. Again, it is well known that the most influential members of the senate are against any interference with present trust conditions. It scarcely seems possible, therefore, that all the trust influences in congress are to lie still and permit any legislation which will in any considerable degree interfere with the present prerogatives, or methods of doing business, of the trusts. It is pretty safe to assume, in view of all these facts, that any trust busting legislation passed this session will be of the homeopathic kind.