The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-02-11
The Irvine Trust.

The Irvine Trust.
There never was name better adapted
than that of octopus as applied to trusts.
No one sees the force of the name until he
has come in actual contact with the mon
ster. The board of state prison managers
have been brought to clear realization of
the strength of trust by their efforts to
purchase for the state system of long line
machinery for making binding Irvine from
MANILA and sisal fibers. 1t was provided by
the last legislature that long line machines
should be put in the prison Irvine factory
so that with both kinds of machines long
and short fbers could be worked. Why
they failed in their purpose is told in Wed
nesday's Pioneer Press. After describing
the different kinds of machines and fibers.
the Press says:
The committee proceeded to New York
with the view of purchasing long line ma
chineS and for this purpose they visited
several factories. To their great surprise it
was found that the National COrdage com,
pany were in absolute control. either by
contract or purchase. of all the factories of
this country and in Europe. which con-
structed what is known as the long line
machine. At first the committee were un-
able to make any progress, the National
COrdage company refusing absolutely to af-
ford them any encouragement by declining
absolutely to make any sales. Finally,
after several interviews, the letter given be-
low was written by the manager of the
COrdage company to John Good, Offering
the long line machine.
THE NATIONAL CORDAGE COMPANY. 1872
and l54 Front street. New York. Jan. 5. 1892.
John Good Esq.-Dear Sir: We beg to say that
the orders from the Minnesota state prison for
cordage machinery to the extent of sixty spin
dies may take precedence over any orders that
you may have from US on your books. providing
you will give us an indemnity bond of 900 to
protect from any and all loss to through any
trouble with the labor organizations in any of our
mills resulting from the building of said ma
chlnery. Yours, ETC.,
THE NATIONAL CORDAGE COMPANY.
The provision is noticeable which re-
Quires an indemnity bond which makes the
proposition impracticable and a mere mat
ter of form, as it was known it would be
absolutely impossible for the state to fur
nish any bonds against trouble with labor
organizations, the idea being that the Cord
age company did not wish to sell any ma
chimes or in any way have their affairs in
terfered with. The trust appears to be one
OF the most Ubiquitous trusts known in mod
ern times. 1t not only has control of all
the long line machines and twine making
establishments in this country. but also the
control by contract or by purchase of all the
establishments that manufacture machines
necessary to produce binding Irvine made
from MANILA and sisal.
After several interviews the committee
sent from the state decided to purchase sim
liar machines to the one now in use at Still
water. and they will be soon in the prison
and in working order.
1t is possible that the COrdage company
is an organization formed under the law.
but this phase of the matter is likely to be
investigated, and anything that can be said
or done to help break down such an out
rageous monopoly will be highly gratifying
to the farmers in this entire Northwestern
country
The duty of z cent pound. if it could
be removed, might aid some in reducing the
price, although the National COrdage com.
panv seem to have the whole affair so well
in hand that they can make their prices
without reference to tariff rate.