Chapter 422: Battle of the Supreme Court
The boss shirked responsibility and did not show up, so Baker, the Assistant Attorney General, could only sign the settlement agreement on behalf of the Department of Justice with a cold face. After all, Knox was his boss, not the other way around. In such an embarrassing situation, the Attorney General's face had to be saved, so he, the Assistant Attorney General, had to do it on his behalf.
In this way, the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against the trust under the United Company was concluded without anyone noticing. Pat expressed his satisfaction and said that he felt very happy to serve in such a company. As for other companies that responded to the trust lawsuit, they were not so lucky.
Sheffield did not leave Washington, he also had to attend the Northern Securities Company lawsuit to support Morgan. Maybe it could ease the relationship between the superficial friends and show the unity of the bourgeoisie on this matter.
"Japan is an island country, but it made Roosevelt do this. I believe no one would have thought of this if I told others about it." Edith Rockefeller was holding a cup of milk tea, her long legs swaying, showing her relaxed mood.
"No one could have imagined that Japan could inflict such a heavy defeat on Imperial Russia." Sheffield finished his sentence halfway. In fact, Japan paid an even greater price. When the negotiation results come out, the Japanese will feel that the white countries are conspiring to cheat them.
Who makes Japan an outlier in the world today? There is no benefit in winning the war, especially when Roosevelt began to mediate the Russo-Japanese War, which made Japan, which already had an advantage, feel that the Russo-Japanese War was a conspiracy of white people. Other white countries would not wait until the Russian Empire was completely defeated before forcing Japan to cease fire. With different positions, President Roosevelt's mediation naturally brought different ideas.
However, in Sheffield's view, the Russo-Japanese War, as Japan's last large-scale war before the outbreak of World War II, brought two war experiences with endless consequences, one in the army and the other in the navy.
The Japanese Army used the spirit nuclear bomb and made a mindless attack, and finally won the victory at a greater cost than the Russian defenders. The experience gained by the Navy was to use a surprise attack to kill most of the opponent's military forces in one battle, and then stop when the conditions were favorable and sign a surrender agreement.
These two tactics were used decades later in World War II. The Army made a mindless charge into the Soviet Union's steel torrent, and the Combined Fleet attacked Pearl Harbor, waiting for the United States to suffer a loss and recognize Japan's interests, and then waited for the United States to send thousands of warships.
That's good. Sooner or later, Japan will realize that the great powers are not the same. As for the current benefits, I wonder if Morgan is still waiting for Japan to receive the reparations for the Russo-Japanese War so that he can repay the loan.
Just as one trust is different from another, one of the important reasons why Sheffield managed to escape the attention of the Ministry of Justice was that the beef and canned food trusts were different from the Northern Securities Company trust that controlled public transportation. Otherwise, Sheffield would not have been able to exchange the Panama Canal for the land for the expansion of the naval port, let alone the land for the expansion of the naval port. Moreover, he had already sold the canal to the federal government, and he could not sell it twice.
After successfully getting out, the pressure is now all on Morgan. The United Company successfully got out and verbally humiliated the Department of Justice, which will only result in other trust companies becoming the Department of Justice's punching bags.
The slave owner will not apologize for this follow-up, because this is his purpose. They are all competitors, and being troubled by the Ministry of Justice will only make him feel good.
As the Supreme Court is about to hear the monopoly and unfair competition case of Northern Securities, the public opinion has become more intense. The federal government and President Roosevelt himself have repeatedly stated that the federal government is not targeting domestic tycoons, but simply hopes that these tycoons will allow competitors to join when they already have an advantage.
"It was the captains of industry who laid the railroads across our country, established our commerce, and developed our manufactures. They have generally rendered great service to our people. Without them the material development of which we are so proud would never have been possible..."
“We draw the line against misconduct, but not against wealth…”
"I believe that monopoly and unjust discrimination which prevent and injure competition ... and other abuses in trust institutions which are injurious to commerce among the states, can be prevented by the power of Congress to regulate commerce."
Similar speeches by Roosevelt continued to appear in newspapers supporting the federal government. What is certain is that although public opinion seemed to be evenly divided, in reality the voices supporting the federal government were much greater than what was shown.
Because Sheffield had received correct feedback from members of the Beef Trust. What made them excited was the news that Northern Securities was being tried. However, these members were not aware of the settlement with the Department of Justice.
Even these large farmers with considerable assets are eager to see the Northern Securities Company, which controls traffic, demolished. Needless to say, what ordinary citizens think? What is shown in public opinion is not necessarily the true side.
For example, a hundred years later, the fledgling United States has already seen a lot of battles. As an old beacon, a few viruses are all attributed to influenza. As long as I don't count them, it won't cause panic. As for the sudden increase in purchasing power for guns and ammunition, my great America has its own national conditions.
"It seems like half a year has passed since Northern Securities Company appealed to the Supreme Court." The slave owner, who was lying in the posture of Jesus' crucifixion and letting Edith Rockefeller dress him, asked boredly.
"It's December now, half a year has passed." Edith Rockefeller put on Sheffield's suit and looked at him for a moment before she said with satisfaction, "Very gentlemanly, more suitable for an occasion like the Supreme Court."
Sheffield was going to the Supreme Court to observe the trial process of Northern Securities Company. Of course, it was not in line with the procedure, but that kind of thing was just to fool ordinary people. Just like the United States medical system a hundred years later, for those who are within the procedure, the United States medical system is hell for you, and for those who are outside the procedure, the medical system is the world's boss, the undoubted beacon of mankind, and the mysterious organization that can best fight against the god of death.
Sheffield is obviously an exception, so it is natural that it will not be used as a precedent. The sound of the gavel in the Supreme Court marked the final stage of the confrontation between bankers and the federal government.
Sheffield, holding Edith Rockefeller's hand and accompanied by Pat, the chief lawyer of the United Company, entered the sacred door of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is a Corinthian building built mainly of marble. It is located on East Capitol Avenue in Washington, DC, echoing the location of the Congress.
Outside the Supreme Court, Sheffield met with two railroad tycoons, Hartman and Hill. After asking, he learned that Morgan himself would not attend the trial. He greeted the two with a smile and said in a relaxed manner, "I hope we can all escape this unreasonable attack."
"Thank you!" Hill nodded his thanks concisely, looked at the door of the Supreme Court, and walked in firmly.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was still Fuller, who heard the Knight case, and the only justice who opposed the Knight case, Harlan, who did not retire, and the other four judges. But at this time, three new faces were added: McKenna, a Republican conservative from California, Peckham, a former railroad lawyer from New York, and Holmes, a liberal judge from the Massachusetts Supreme Court. No one knew what decision they would make in the end.
Pat quietly introduced these top judges and told Sheffield about their past tendencies. "I think this is a evenly matched contest. If one of the parties is our joint company, it will not be easy to deal with."
Oh? Sheffield looked at Pat suspiciously. What's the problem? Pick out the judge who is most likely to make an unfavorable ruling and create an accident. Wouldn't it increase the chances of winning?
As the trial began, the moment that decided the fate of Northern Securities finally arrived. James, the lawyer of Northern Securities, pointed out whether the legal rationality of the antitrust law was justified. "Northern Securities did not conspire to restrict interstate commerce and competition. The company has a legal license and its legal rights are the same as those of natural persons. Therefore, it can freely dispose of its property and exercise legal rights like natural persons. How can the government destroy this sacred property right?"
Attorney General Knox, who was ridiculed by slave owners in the White House, also met the boss of the United Company, who was arrogant in his eyes. Sheffield's appearance here obviously meant that he was fine and came to support the Northern Securities Company. Because of Sheffield's appearance, Knox became angry and remembered the scene in the White House.
After James finished his statement, he immediately stood up and spoke with personal emotion, "The real purpose of the antitrust law is essentially to interfere with the power of those who use their wealth to do whatever they want. This is the only purpose of the law. Any company that violates the antitrust law must be prepared to be sued."
As he said this, he glanced towards where Sheffield was, and his look could definitely be described as an angry glare.
Sheffield clearly received the signal, tilted his head slightly, and whispered in Edith Rockefeller's ear, "I don't like this Attorney General very much, but I won't do anything to him in the next four years, but I don't know what will happen in the future."
"In four years, he will be an ordinary Republican!" Edith Rockefeller understood, but also spoke to comfort him, "By then, he will not be a threat. Don't be so angry."
"That makes sense!" Sheffield nodded innocently. After all these years, no one knew who Knox was. There was no need to bother with him.
(End of this chapter)
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