Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1884-06-03
Combine or Die.


combinations and monopolies:
In every branch of industry, trade
Or profession, the fiat Of combination
has gone forth. The day for nde-
nandent individual action has been
succeeded by pools and unions. Fri
ces are fixed, rates adjusted and wa
ges settled, not by the wholesome law
of competition, but by majority votes
Of combination Congresses. The sa-
cred underlying principle Of trade,
supply and demand, has been strip
ped of its most eiiicacious powers by
a union of those who control and Inn
it supply. The insidious process oil
absorption has been going on IN It's
iniquitous work until, outside OF agri-
culture, nearly all Of the great pro-
ductiye industries are absolutely sub
seryient to the wishes of close corpo-
rations. And prodigious efforts are
now being made by powerful land
svndicates TO obtain control OF this
remaining branch. From the New
York milk dealers to the Oregon lum-
bermen, to consolidate and force up
prices. is the central idea. OF ~
million tons of anthracite coal annu-
ally produced in the Eastern States
six companies own and control the
production, and fix the price of It ALL
Nor are these private coal compa-
MES, but are in fact imperial railroad
cornorations that use the double pow
er their position of being both pro-
Queer and carrier affords them, OF
crushing out all competition from IN
dividual operators. Whenever the
controlling magnates so desire, an adj
vance in prices is ordered, and higher
rates of transportation are lmnedl-
ately imposed upon all who have the
temority to disobey their mandates
As soon as the supply becomes ex'
cessiye and rates are in danger OF be
ing cut, half time is ordered, and the
men in their employ are robbed OF
the ono hand, while the public, on the
other, is made to pay an eXhorbltan
as we'll as an artificial price for fuel
that these six companies may reaIiz'
enormous dividends on watered stock
The manufacturers Of all kinds Of irol
and woolenware, have similar assocl
ations, whose members regularly NEE
and prepare schedules of prices, re
gardless of the cost of production o
other natural laws Of trade. Compel
itors are either silenced by money O
stihed by overwhelming opposition
the powerful are bought out, the wea
are driven out. The country is pai
celed out to different members of tn
pools, in which they exercise an auto
cratic power scarcely equalled by
military governor. Every article
uso bears upon it the marks Of con
bination; from the match that ligh
our fires, to the largest railroad engir
that moves, the exactions of monopt
lv are enforced. A tribute from I'll
many for the benefit of the few is Il
motto that actuates these "Lords
Industry" The man at the forge al
the man at the pillow feel the full for
of this oppressive situation. 1t +
quires no prophetic vision to see VIII
results will ultimately ensue fro
such unjust peryersions of pow'
The revolution from individual aeti
to corporate influence has alrea
taken place. The small fry are goi
to the wall and associated millionail
are doing business in their ste'
The poor are driven into still m'
abiect condition while aflluent co
binations make and receive lar: