Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-07-19

There is to be created in the Manga |
tuck valley trust of the staple product |
of the people, viz: brass. That is to
say, corporation is to be created with
out the consent of the state, and not
| subject to the control exercised over
legalized corporations. The body of
men who propose such action are at
present doing paying business in the
manufacturing of brass They are in the
greatest brass center of the world, and
the most skilled workers in brass are in
their employ. And yet they would re-
sort to this legal means of doing bust
ness which if not illegal is certainly not
above suspicion, for their own emoiu
ment.
At first sight this seems an impossible
proceeding; nevertheless, they find little
difficulty in etfecting their purpose.
The law would of course step in and
prohibit any combination from intlict-
ing injury on private individuals were
it done openly, in such manner that
evidence might be obtained. But how
can it reach a body of men who might
get together and, verbally only, agree
not to sell the product of their mills
until the price on which they have
agreed can be obtained? They might
not stop here, unfortunately, but in any
territory where troublesome competi-
tor is discovered, this combine could
, place their product on the market at a
price which it would be impossible 10
manufacture for at a profit, and so
| force the man who Is not of their set
out of his legitimate business; for where
is the individual to be found who can
afford to do business at loss for any
considerable time? Having destroyed
: fall competition, they would naturally
:, hasten to make good the loss sustaine
by the combination, while effectlng the
freeze-out, by proceeding to make the
consumer of the commodity pay for the
} experiment. in advanced prices.
Waterbury is in such a position
that she finds no difficulty in com
peting with the entire world in the
manufacture of brass and brass goods
She is not threatened by any outside
competition, that she need fear. The
skilled labor of the world in the making
} of brass is in the Naugatuck valley
Why, therefore, should t!:is horrible ex
crescence, this vampire combination
which will suck the life blood of a PEG
pie who for half century have dwelt il
Of peace and prosperity, making brass, b.
?, saddled upon the community? w,
may be answered that the proposed
trust is not meant to injure labor in tn
least. Could we feel certain that tn
manufacturers mean what they say W
4, would enter no protest; but guided b,
the light of past events we cannot sa,
that this answer brings peace to GU
\ minds. When competitor after com
~ petitor has been driven out, the spiri
of greed which is incapable of satiet
will then turn upon the employees an
the bursting Golfers will still be insult
cient and the wages of these employe
will be considered legitimate prey
The reduction will follow, and its cor
comitants, the strike and the lockout
AT this stage what more likely than tina
t. the ignorant, debased, ferocious, paupe
lAborers of Europe would be struggled in
~ and protected by the strong arm of Law
?; these manufacturers would give Their
J. the bread which does not belong t
y them, which they could not earn q
home, and the native or naturalized cit
t. zen must become powerless, pennies
pauper'