New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-02
GOOD EFFECTS OF DOMINATION.

Have prices been increased? On the con-
trary, combination in business and low prices have
ever gone hand in hand. Combination has never
been so great as in the last fifteen years. and
prices have never ruled so low. Much of this
decrease may be attributed to improved methods
Of manufacture, new machinery and lower trans
portation. II is still true that aggregated capital
was essential to the adoption of new machinery
and improved methods of manufacture, and that
lower transportation is the direct result Of conf
binatlon of railroads, which has taken place in
defiance of public opinion.
Has the individual been crushed out? To some
extent undoubtedly, as a solitary individual. But
he has found larger sphere for his efforts through
association with other individuals. No day has
ever equalled to-day in the business opportunities
offered intelligent and industrious men. Employees
can, and many do, invest their savings in the
stocks of industrial corporations and aSsocia-
lions, and thus share in the profits of the bust
ness. In this direction lies the ultimate solution
of the problem of proft-sharing between employer
and employe. Legislators can wisely turn their
attention to such measures as shall tend to make
such investments free from all risks except
legitimate risks. Prevention of stock-watering,
with its progeny of stock manipulation and cor
poration-wrecking, will encourage workmen to
share in the profits of business.
Has the wage Garner suffered? On the con-
trary new avenues of labor haye been opened,
the demand for labor, and particularly skilled
labor has increased wages are higher, the cost Of
living Is lower and the condition of the laboring
man never SO good to-day. If there are eX-
ceptions they arise out of excessive competition
in certain classes Of the labor market caused in
this country by excessive immigration of I'M
skilled laborers According TO Mr. Atkinson,
since 1865 wages of skilled w0rlSmen have adj
vanced / 0s per cent; Of average mechanics, 90
per cent; of factory operatives, rs per cent, and
of common laborers, 90 per cent The cry that
as the rich grow richer the poor grow poorer )"
is the reverse of the truth. Poverty is due to
the fact that the aggregated wealth produced is
too small much more than 10 the unequal dis
trbution of that which is produced If the
surplus income of all employers were annually
distributed among all laborers it would not es-
sentially improve their condition, and il would
bring trade to a standstll in a few years for want
of active capital TO carry it on. What is needed
is an increase of wealth-producing forces ard
greater economy III business. To accomplish this
aggregated capital and cooperation in business
absolutely necessary.
With such quarter-century Of experience of
the advantages of association in business behind
u, the man who still fears that combination will
destroy competition and produce high prices would
have feared a cOnfiagration during Noah's food.
The question remains, should the right of asso-
citation be limited? II SO, where shall the line
be drawn? When is an association dangerously
large? Our lawmakers and some of our courts
say when it tends 10 prevent competition Every
business partnership and corporation, as we have
seen, tends 70 prevent competition. II a business
= ...Il
monopohze it. II business is worldwide an
immense combination effect competition in but
a slight degree The line drawn. at tending
TO prevent competition is purely mag
mary If strictly adhered To il would
prevent all business association, and its only
effect is 10 keep all such associations under the
ban of the law. Combination may be condemned