Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1890-12-22
TWO GIGANTIC TRUSTS.

COmbinati ons of Manufacturers of Farm
ing Machinery to Crush Competition.
Farmers of this country should mark
Nov. 90, 1890, in their almanacs with 6
big black line, and on the margin OIL
that same book Of record write that two
meetings of capitalists were held in Chi
cago on that day for the purpose of form
ing two distinct trusts for the control Of
farm implements. The harvesting ma
chine manufacturers regarded the con
ference as of such importance that they
strained every effort to keep their secret
work from the public. Members of the
combine looked amazed when asked fol-
information Regarding their actions
These men believe that trust is a pri
vate enterprise which does not concern
the general public.
But there are many men who believe
that combination of capital which has
for it's central purpose the destruction OF
men who embark in the same business
is a moral crime that should be made a
legal offense They believe that the har-
vester men who compose the combine
have no patent right on the manufacture
of harvesting machinery. They think
small manufacturers have right to en-.
ter the market without running the risk
of being crushed by giant octopus
The harvester men say they propose to
combine for the mere purpose of doing
away with ruinous competition. This
means in practice tnat all small COM
petitors will be stamped out the moment
they show their heads in the market 1t
means that price will be put upon
harvesting machinery which the farme.
must pay 1t means that the number of
machines the country will need will be
estimated, and when just so many have
been manufactured the shops will be
closed until the market has been cleared
Of its surplus stock Under the old plan
Of every man for himself dull times
would find the shops making cheap
grade of goods at little or no profit for
outside markets This had the effect Of
keeping the help together and every
thing in running order.
Now there will be no need to practice
this good old system, for when one shop
closes all may close if the management
so dictates. The new plan will be good
for the manufacturers. but it will be a
hardship on the farmer and the mechan-
les employed by the trusts. 1t is said
that this new combine will employ over
$4,000 men. All these will be under one
management and any demands they may
make will be laughed at, for the single
shop which might be closed in conse.
Quence of a strike would suffer no in
Jury. The workingmen would have their
trouble for their pains. They would
have.the whole combination to fight, and
Its capital is estimated at $50. 100000
Just what the members did at their
meeting could not be determined. They
did not wish the public light to shine on
their deliberations, so they worked with
closed doors. It is said. however, that
the meeting was harmonious. which, lit
orally interpreted. means that they took
a good grip on the farmer and their own
mechanics. and will get still better
hold as they proceed in the perfection OF
their organization.
The thrashing machine men held an
informal meeting at the Auditorium.
They propose a combine with IA capital
of 500. 900. 900. and will include all the
manufacturers of thrashing machines in
this country. Already enough are band
ed together to force in the rest of the
manufacturers or force them to go out
of business. Like the harvester men.
they are reticent and avoid the public
in their deliberations. They hope to
perfect their papers of incorporation be-
fore the public learns what they are