Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-03-02
The Coal Combination.

The great combine of the coal
carrying railroads.&c. skilfully engi
n0sred by by President Mcleod Of
the Reading is to be Investigated by
ths New Jersey authorities. Despite
the ASSURANCES OF tbose in ths deal
that there will be no raise "a prices
there is feeling that the deal is
contrary to public interest and should
not be allowed to hold. In this con-
nection the New York WorId, under
the bold caption of "Break 1t Up"
gays:-
''The coal combination is o con
sPirGcy of capital against poverty, of
greed against need.
1t is meant to make every poor
man use less coal and pay more for
it. 1t is meant to levy a tax upon
every industry that uzts coal, and
the tax will be taken in the end out
of the earnings of the mon employed
The people need more and cheaper
coal This conspiracy is intended to
give thsm less and dear coal
Production has already been cur
tailed in order that the price may be
maintained. The prico will newt
ably be advanced in order that the
conspirators may the rapidly absorb
to themselves The earnings of other
men.
Under conditions of healthy com
petition surplus production would
be reduced, not by stopping the work
and wages of miners. but by re-
duction in price sufficient to induce
the people to use more ceal. The
conspiracy is intended to destroy
healthy conditions, exclude competi-
ton, and decrease production, while
increasing the profits of the mono
poly in control.
1t Is a conspiracy against good
morals and against the public welfare.
It violates the spirit of the law. It
sets ct naught every principle of
equity. It threatens the people in
thsir homes and in their workshops
1t is unjust, iniquitous, and very
cruel. 1t must be broken up If
there bo law enough in this free land
to protect free people.
We commend the foregoing article
from tLe World as in the right spirit.
These are days OF nonopolies against
the people, aud the need nov is for
thorough work and active resis.aDce
in defense of the psople's rights and
against the power Of combined mon
ey.
Our Constitution condemns this
deal. It's language is too plain to be
obscured. The Reading and Ls-
high Valley were and are competing
lines, and the prohibition is plain.
The case of Coke Brothers, fresh in
the memory Of all, only needs to be
referred to in order to demonstrate
the conditions violated. They fell
out with the Labigh Valley AID went
to law with it. Did their works
stand? Were their collisries ida
No; but AZ arrangement was made
at once with the Reading, and it did
the work that the Lohigh Valley had
before been dong. Ccre Brothers
had two carriers ready to carry their
coal. They broke with one and favor
ed the other. 1t is too plain for ar
gument that the two lines were bid
ding for the same work. II bidders,
than competitors. IF competitors,
then their merger or lease is forbid
den.
Do your duty, Mr.. Attorney-Gen-
eral. Don't forget the vigorous
fight for the people when the South
Penn, deal was broken up. Cover
nor Pattison, you are in the balance;
the people don't want monopolies in
coal. Action for the people is the
duty of the Governor action prompt,
vigorous and thorough.-Philadel-
phiG Herald,