The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-15

INVESTIGATING TRUSTS.


take notice of certain swindling schemes
known as trusts is in the highest degree
cheering. The investigation will serve to
open the eyes of the American people.:A
Washington letter says:
Although it may be questioned whether
Congress will do anything in the way of
legislation to restrain the trusts" it is
not doubted that the Investigation will be
fruitful In exposing them. The plan of
procedure is being made up by a sub-com-
mittee, consisting of Messrs. G. r. Brock
inridge, Wilson and Bynum. The Speaker,
at the time he put these three gentlemen
on the committee, and also put them on
the Ways and Means, probably had
no idea that they wonld be called upon to
take up the line of inquiry now marked
out for them-a line that they are fitted to
persue by their ability and experience, and
which will be useful in helping them to
reach conclusions upon relative matters
before the Ways and Means. The manu-
facturers of all kinds who have been associ.
ating together to strengthen monopolies
slresdy encouraged by a high protective
tariff will have an opportunity to exDlain
to the country their reasons for conspiring
to force up prices by crOwding up compe
tihon.
The fact that Messrs. Breckenridge, Will
son and Bynum are to investigate the trusts
is an assurance that the work will be well
and thoroughly done. We can speak ad-
visedly OF Mr.. Bynum's eminent fitness for
such a position, and so far as he is con-
cerned the country may be assured of
thorough work and report that will lay
bare corruption and renal villainy to the
core. The Philadelphia Ledger calls atten-
ton as follows to some of the monop1li
creations and outgrowths of our UBIQUITOUS
tariff system which have oppressed and
plundered the people Of this country
through the power which the tariff has
conferred upon them:
The Bessemer Steel Monopoly.
The Crucible Steel Trust.
Inc Nail Association.
The Coal Combination.
The Coke Combination.
The Lumber Trust.
The Sugar Trust.
The Salt Combination.
The Flour Bag Trust,
The Maine Sardine Fraud.
The WALLPAPER Trust.
The window Glass Combination.
The Bsrb-Wire Ring,
| The Lead Trust.
The School-slate Trust.
The Sheet Zine Monopoly.
| The Russia Sheet-Iron Monopoly.
It is not presumed that the foregoing
are all the trusts, combinations and mo-
nopolies that will undergo investigation.
The Standard Oil case will not escape, and
ii will be shown that while the prices OF
the necessities and comforts of working
men and their families have been cruelty
enhanced by these trusts, combines and
CORPORATIONS, they have been compelled to
sell their labor for any price they could
obtain regardless of right or justice. II
viii be shown "that millions are plundered
in order to minister 10 the greed of few
mon poles. II the duties on the necessa
r1es of living should be repealed, the wage!
of workingmen would be practically en-
HANGED, hence consumers would pay les.
for their commodities. II the duties or
raw materials should at the same time b.
abolished. the field of production would b'
widened and employment for labor in al
departments of industry would be NOR,
secure and more remunerative" To en-
able the people to know the character ant
extent of the trust iniquity, searching In
vestig alton must be had, and IL is crafty
ing to know that the facts are to be officiall,
laid bt fore the people.