The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-06-09

IT is with 10 little solicituGe for the
social and industrial condition of our
people that the multiplication of trust
organizations in every quarter of our
country, is viewed by students OF econ
omic questions. When first they were
beginning to form the fears of the people
we're aliayed by the promise that by
means Of trusts expenses OF production
and distribution would be largely cur
tailed and that to the consumer would
secure the saving. But within short
time it became apparent to even casual OBJ
servers that, though there probably did
result d saving, consumers were not bene-
lowered were steadily advanced and that
the evident purpose OF trusts was to
swell the receipts of ali forming part OF
such organizations. This hRs been the
lesson taught by the original Standard
OIL trust, and such is the lesson that we
may daily read by observing the opera
tons of the gigantic anthracite coal COM
binations, to say nothing of the number
less minor trust organizations. The Read
ing company now controls both the carry
ing trade and the production OF nearly
the entire anthracite coal supply IN the
east. The price of coal at the mines is
$3.50 ton. at Buffalo, one hundred miles
distant, it is $40, so that the cost of
transportation for that short distance is
- % per ton Does this not look like
extortion? No competition in carrying
is possible since all railroad lines from
the mines to lake ports and ocean ports
are controlled by the Reading company.
It represents a capital of over a
billion dollars and regulates prices to
suit itself During May the price of coal
was advanced two times and before the
season fairly opens the Buffalo price will
be $3.50 ton.
The Reading combination controls pro-
duction. When, because of increased
price, the consumption of coal is lessened
and there is a threatened over-production
labor at the mines is shut down. Think
of it! When not enough coal Is used to
suit these barons. because they have ad-
vanced its price SO that the poor must
stint themselves in its use, thousands of
laborers are thrown out OF employment.
Thus the poor make the poor poorer.
There are hundreds of trust companies
in the United States now, and new or
CARNATIONS are springing up every day.
Most of them control the production of
necessaries Of life and the formation of
each one was soon followed by a rise in
the price of the commodity controlled by
it. But when they do not control the en-
tire output of certain products it may be
supposed that competition will right
things. BY no means. 1t was ruinous
competition that was partly responsible
for the creation Of the trust monstrosity,
and outside competition cuts no figure
when once u trust monster has reared its
head. If opposition does show itself the
trusts by lowering prices far below the
cost OF production for short time, gen.
orally crush II out of existence or CON-
pei it to enter the trust combination.
These monopolles appear to have every
thing their own way. 1t is wonderful
with what audacity they trample upon
law and public opinion. In fact they APP
pear to be beyond the power of United
States or state law. Now and then when
band only to continue their tyrrany under
different guise. This was clearly de-
| monstrated when the Standard Oil COM
pany with great eclat yielded to popular
opinion. BY It's reorganization it has not
changed its nature as a grasping monopo-
ly, and 1t is to-day as anti competition as
before the so-called dissolution.
These grave economic problems must
be met, and properly met IN the near
future. If law and right cannot do it the
people will rise in their might and do il
SO effectually that the fuel supply and
certain other necessaries of life can never
again be controlled by capitalistic com
blnations. The people Will not endure
this sort of oppression forever.