The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-01-09
TWO GIGANTIC TRUSTS.

Combinations Of MaHa1aetuYsrs Of Farm.
ing Machiaery to Crush Competitions.
Farmers Of this country should mark
Nov. 90, 1890, in their a1manacs with 3
big black line, and ON the margin OF
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 for
information regarding their actions.
These men believe that trust is pri-
vate enterprise which does not concern
the general public.
But there are many men who believe
that combination Of capital which has
for its central purpose the destruction Of
men who embark in the same business
is 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 y giant octopus.
The harvester men say they propose to
combine for the mere purpose Of doing
away with ruinous competition. This
means in practice that all small COM
petitors will be stamped out the moment
they show their heads in the market. It
means that a price will be- put upon
harvesting machinery which the farme4
must pay. It means that the number Of
machines the country will need will be
estimated, and when just somany have
been manufactured the shops win be
closed until the market has been cleared
Of its surplus stock. Under theold. plan
Of every man for himself dull times
would find the shops making a cheap
grade of goods at little or no profit for
outside markets. This had the effect Of
keeping the help together and every
thingin 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 dictateA The new plan will be good
for the manufacturers, but it will be a
hardship Oh the farmer and the mechan-
les employed by the trusts. It is said
that this new combine will employ over
Is, 900 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-
uuence of strike would suffer no in
jury. The workingmen would have their
trouble for their pains. They would
have the whole combination to fight, and
it's capital is, estimated at $80.000,000.
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
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 q combine with a capital
of sec, ZOO, 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
about. Chicago Herald.