"Several of them have approached us; but they have thus far been unwilling to accept the principles upon which the Consolidated Companies is founded."
"You refer to its alleged benevolent aspect?"
"Yes, if you choose to call it that," Gorham replied, smiling. "We prefer to call it reciprocity. If we receive favors in the form of concessions from the people, we believe it to be not only fair, but also sound business, to use these concessions not to bleed them, but for their benefit."
"In other words, the Consolidated Companies is a good trust, and the others are bad trusts?"
"Exactly."
"The Sherman Act, if I read it correctly, makes no distinction."
"But the Government does."
"And to that extent unlawfully discriminates," the Senator said, emphatically.
"What would be the effect upon the country if the Sherman Act were enforced literally?" Gorham asked.
"That is not for me to say."