Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, February 16, 1903.
PRESIDENT IS PLEASED.
Mr. Knox Says Anti-Trust Legislation Is Satisfactory.
LONG ADVANCE ACCOMPLISHED.
Says Giving and Taking of Railroad Rebate Is Now Prohibited by a Law Which Can Be Enforced—Law to Take Appeals Direct to the Supreme Court.
Washington, Feb. 16.—Attorney General Knox, who prepared the important features of the anti-trust bills now enacted into laws, on being asked how they were regarded by the administration, said:
"The legislation affecting the trusts passed at this session of congress is satisfactory to the administration and the prompt response to the president's requests is highly gratifying. A very long stride in advance has been accomplished and the promises of last fall have been made good.
"The giving and taking of railroad rebates is now prohibited by a law capable of effective enforcement against corporations as well as individuals, and the courts of United States are clothed with jurisdiction to restrain and punish violations.
"The act creating the department of commerce vests in that department complete authority to investigate the organization and business methods of corporations engaged in interstate and foreign commerce, and to that end to compel the testimony of persons having the desired knowledge. The legislation is concise in its terms but very comprehensive in its scope. Under its provisions a fair opportunity will be afforded to test the effect upon the tendency towards industrial monopoly of its guarantees of no favors for the great producer as against the small one.
"Discretion is lodged in the president as to the publication of facts useful to be publicly known and a wise administration of the law promises much that is helpful and nothing that is harmful.
"The law to expedite the hearing of cases and giving an appeal directly to the supreme court from the court of first instance assures within a reasonable time authoritative decisions upon important pending questions, in the knowledge of which future legislation, if necessary, can be confidently framed.
"Upon the whole the situation is eminently satisfactory and is the result of concessions, modifications of views and forms of expressions upon the part of many earnest and thoughtful men who have endeavored within a very brief session to meet a rational public demand in a rational and effective way."
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| USS Maine (ACR-1) |
REMEMBERED THE MAINE.
Observance of Fifth Anniversary of Destruction of Battleship.
Havana, Feb. 16.—Four hundred Americans Sunday observed the fifth anniversary of the destruction of the United States battleship Maine.
The procession went out on the bay to the wreck, bearing a flag draped with crepe. A wreath was hung on the wreck as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the disaster.
Representatives of the Cuban Veterans' association took part in the ceremony and brought the finest of all the floral offerings.
The exercises were purely memorial references, calculated to revive animosities being purposely avoided.
The United States legation was not represented, Minister Squires holding that any possibility of stirring up the feelings of the Spanish residents by public exercises commemorative of a bitter incident in the war ought to be avoided.
The Cuban government officials finally decided not to attend but a government launch accompanied the procession to the wreck. United States Consul Rublee, Vice Consul Springer and representatives of the United States army were present.
A United States quartermaster's launch led the way to the wreck, followed by two small steamers loaded with Americans and numerous little crafts. All about the harbor American and Cuban flags were flying at half-mast.
The strains of the dead march played by the band of the United States artillery corps floated across the harbor as the procession made its way to the Maine.
After completing the decoration of the forlorn wreck, the boats clustered around the quartermaster's launch, the awning deck of which was utilized as a platform. After a prayer offered up by the Rev. Mr. McPherson, General Nunez, the governor of Havana province, who is also the president of the Cuban Veterans' association, said the Cuban veterans would never permit such an occasion to pass without testifying their regard as comrades.
Earnest Conant delivered the memorial address. He paid a tribute to the victims and commended the mutual respect now existing between those who for a brief period fought each other.
In his references to the late Admiral Sampson, the speaker especially eulogized the Spanish Admiral Cervera.
Other speakers urged the co-operation of Cubans, Spaniards and Americans in working out Cuba's destiny. The ceremony concluded with the sounding of "taps."
NEW YORK TIED UP
By Sleet and Snow—Difficulty of Moving Electric Cars.
New York, Feb. 16.—New York is today in the grasp of a heavy sleet and rain storm which is seriously hampering the traction and elevated railroads and delaying business. Telegraph and telephone communication is affected by heavy wires. The elevated roads, using the third rail, were completely blocked early this morning and the rush hour found only a few trains running. Long lines of elevated trains became stalled shortly after midnight and belated passengers were obliged to walk the planks in dangerous proximity to the sizzling third rail to the station and then seek the surface cars to get home.
There was a brilliant pyrotechnical display all along the lines, caused by the contact of the electrical metal brushes with the ice covered third rail. Railroad service was delayed and incoming trains were much behind their schedules.
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| Guest editorials. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Antitrust Legislation In Congress.
Out of the multitude of antitrust utterances in congress it now appears probable that there will come some sort of definite action looking toward the mitigation of at least a portion of the evils charged up against capitalistic and industrial combinations. While the time of the present congress is very short, only about a month before its expiration under the time limit, it is yet possible to enact au antitrust measure before the close of the session if members of congress are inclined to act with reasonable celerity. A fair start has been made in the introduction of the Littlefield bill, which has the approval of the house judiciary committee. Its leading features may be summarized as follows:
First.—Publicity by reports to the interstate commerce commission on the part of all corporations engaged in interstate commerce, the inclusiveness of which would be likely to convert mercantile corporations to their old favor for individual and partnership organization.
Second.—The prohibition of rebates or preferences in transportation rates under penalty to both the carrier and the receiver of the discrimination.
Third.—Attempt by any corporation to monopolize or control production or sale shall exclude it from interstate commerce.
Fourth.—Common carriers engaged in interstate commerce not to transport goods for combinations or corporations seeking monopolistic control.
Fifth.—Authorizing the writ of injunction to forbid violations of any provision of the act.
Sixth.—Providing threefold damages for persons, firms or corporations injured by any of the prohibited acts.
This is regarded as a judicious and conservative measure, and its supporters believe that if it were enacted and its provisions enforced in letter and spirit the day of monopolistic trusts would in a short time be ended, while corporations formed only for greater efficiency in legitimate business could continue in operation. The people demand of their representatives in congress some sort of antitrust legislation at this session, and the Littlefield act may as well be given a trial. It may not prove a remedy for all the trust ills, but it will doubtless lessen the evils of which the people justly complain.
PARK HOTEL RAIDED.
The Park hotel was raided early yesterday morning by [Cortland] Chief of Police Barnes und Officers Baker and Townsend. The place was thoroughly searched and the names of about a dozen people in hiding both males and females, who were not registered as regular guests of the house, were taken. No arrests were made at the time of the raid.
Chief Barnes stated this morning that he had received many complaints concerning the manner in which the place was being conducted. The three went to the hotel at 2:30 o'clock in the morning to make the investigation.
City Judge Dougherty has issued about a half dozen subpoenas at present and more may be issued this afternoon. All are summoned to appear at city court tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock to give evidence as to why they were at the hotel at that hour of\ the night.
CORTLANDVILLE GRANGE
Received New Members and New Applications for Membership.
At the regular meeting of the Cortlandville grange last Friday night nine new members were initiated into the mysteries of the third and fourth degree. The excellent work of this newly elected master, William A. Bean, was highly complimented by all present. This was the first time he has conferred these degrees and his part of the work was done in a manner altogether faultless.
There were three new applications for membership and one application for reinstatement.
Nearly one hundred members were present and extra chairs had to be provided in G. A. R. hall for the accommodation of all. A fine banquet followed the business meeting and a very pleasant social season was spent.
Miss Anthony's Birthday.
A parlor social will be held at the home of Mrs. Julia K. Hyatt, 182 Main-st., this evening to celebrate the 83rd birthday of Miss Susan B. Anthony. Miss Amie A. Rathbun, the stenographer at the Normal school, who was at one time Miss Anthony's private secretary, will present a paper at this meeting.
A COMMUNICATION.
More Questions Asked of Supervisor O'Donnell of Truxton.
Truxton, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1903.
To the Editor of The Standard:
Sir—In reading the reply of Supervisor O'Donnell in Saturday evening's Standard in answer to "Taxpayer's" communication I fail to observe that he gave an explanation to the questions asked him. He states that his first thought was to ignore the article and it is very evident that he did ignore and evade the question. We wonder why? Was it in order that the facts might be withheld?
In his reply he claims that during his term as supervisor he has never handled $100 of town money or any other money coming to the town and that all this business was done through Muller & Son's bank. If this be true why should Mr. O'Donnell charge $3 for his services to settle with the bank at Cortland, as shown by his bill on file in the town clerk's office?
In the Friday's issue of the Democrat and to the taxpayers Mr. O'Donnell explains that the reason the tax ratio was so high this year was because he had raised $1,250 to pay principal on the town bonds. Now if he wishes to be candid and honest, why does he not state as he did at the caucus, when he was nominated for supervisor, that the $1,250 was raised through an error? Is he endeavoring to mislead the taxpayers to believe that money was raised to pay principal on town bonds, when the fact is that no principal has been raised or paid in four years?
Mr. O'Donnell states one reason why he desires re-election is that he may refund the railroad bonds at a lower rate of interest. Now in order to refund the bonds, the question (which is to be voted upon tomorrow) must be submitted to the people and carried. If carried and the Republican candidate for supervisor elected we can assure the taxpayers of Truxton that the bonds will be refunded at as low if not a lower rate of interest than could be secured by Mr. O'Donnell.
If Mr. O'Donnell is sincere in his desire to relieve the "overburdened taxpayers" why did he not meet with the town board of which he is chairman, at its meeting Thursday to settle with the town officers and thus save the town the expense of another session of the board? This meeting was adjourned until Feb. 19, 1903, on account of Mr. O'Donnell failing to produce the necessary vouchers and receipts so that a settlement could be made.
Again we ask, why should the town be obliged to pay a bill of Mr. O'Donnell for $3 for services rendered settling with Charles Price for sprinkler when the fact is that the sprinkler has never been settled for and Mr. Price demands through his attorney, C. V. Coon, an immediate settlement. Will Mr. O'Donnell explain why he charged $3.20 for filing cancelled coupons on March 24, 1902, when the town clerk has the receipt from S. K. Jones, deputy county clerk, for filing the coupons on March 18, 1902, six days before?
I ask honest taxpayers before they cast their ballots to carefully consider the facts and if not convinced to examine the records and satisfy themselves. Do not be misled by misstatements.
We do not believe that any taxpayer will vote against his own interests. Go to the polls on town meeting day and vote for men who will work for the interest of the taxpayer and the town, and we doubt if any voter has not "sufficient intellect and education" to see that an injustice has been done them.
If Mr. O'Donnell is an honest man and sincere in his desire to aid the overburdened taxpayers, why does he not state facts and not resort to misstatements and misrepresentations? Taxpayers, have you not had your "claws" clipped long enough? Isn't it time that you did some of the clipping? Why not begin tomorrow? Earnestly yours,
Charles W. Beattie.
BREVITIES.
—A meeting of the Woman's Relief Corp. will be held tomorrow at 2:30 p. m.
—The National Protective legion will meet tomorrow night at 7:30 o'clock.
—A regular meeting of Grover Post, No. 98, G. A. R., will be held this evening at 7:30 o'clock.
—Cortlandville lodge, No 470, F. & A. M., will confer the second degree at its regular communication Tuesday evening at 7:30 o'clock.
—Several Cortland nurses have gone to Ithaca to assist in caring for those who are ill with typhoid fever in the epidemic there.
—New display advertisements today are—M. A. Case, Dress goods, page 6; G. H. Wiltsie, Skirts, carpets, etc., page 5; F. Daehler, Special sale of overcoats, page 5.
—The Uncle Tom's Cabin Co. which will play at the Opera House this afternoon and this evening made a great parade at noon today. A great crowd of small boys and girls were delighted and followed the procession with shouts of approval.
—The Standard is indebted to Mr. J. W. Cudworth for copies of Salt Lake City papers which contain a lengthy exposition of the Mormon faith and a description of the Mormon church with portraits of prominent Mormons and illustrations of public buildings connected with the Mormon church.

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