The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1893-12-04
ABOUT THE TRUSTS |
The Democratic Leaders Seem SLOW
to Act.
The Rank and File Of Democracy Want
Something Dsne.
HAS CLEVELAND CHANGED FRONT!
our Washington Correspondent Discusses
the Tariff and the Trusts In an
Interesting Manner.

Our Washington Correspondent Discusses
the Tariff and the Trusts In an
Interesting Manner.
WAsHIsGTos, Dec. 2.-[Special,J-
The supporters of the new tariff bill
profess to believe that If 1t becomes a
law il will have the effect TO suppress
the trusts and combinations, for the ex-
istencc Of which they claim the protect
i've policy is responsible. They do not
offer any reasons for this assumption,
nor is it apparent what they can say in
defense of it. The claim that protection
has had anything to do with fostering
trusts will not stand In view Of the fact
that similar combinations exist in free
trade England. and it is well known
that the most formidable trust ever
organized in this Countrywide Standard
Oil-was not affected in the slightest
degree by the tariff policy, but was
wholly independent Of it. If there is
anything in the theory that the protec-
ton Of domestic industries stimulates
competition-and experience is conclu-
sive on this pOint-it cannot be favor
able to,trade combinations. The truth is,
however, that since trusts exist with
both free trade and and protection it is
obviously fallacious to assume that
either fiscal policy is promotive Of them
or in any way responsible for their
creation or existence. Instead Of ex.
pecting the suppression Of industrial
combinations by reducing protective
duties and thereby offering to COMPETE
tors a better chance in the American
market, it would be more reasonable to
assume that such a policy would have
the efTct to induce the domestic manu-.
facturers to combine in order to better
resist foreign competition. From every
point of view 1t is plain that the pro-
fessed belief that the new tariff bill, if
enacted into law, will AVE any effect in
the direction Of suppressing existing
trusts or preventing the formation of
others has no substantial basis. The
modern system of trade monopoly takes
no acCoun Of fiscal policies.
If the democratic party is relying upon
its tariff policy to suppress the trusts
instead of enforcing the law against these
combinations, it is entirely safe to predict
that the relief which it promised to give
the people from the exactions Of what
Mr.. Cleveland characterized as cOnspir-
acics against the interests of the people
will not be realized. 1t may well be
cratic party is really very solicitous
about suppressing trusts. 1t has been in
control Of the executive department of
the government nine months, with
knowledge Of the fact that there Is an
antitrust law on the federal statute
books, the validity of which has been
affirmed by the courts. The democratic
national platform demanded the rigid
enforcement Of the avs made to pre-
vent and control this form of monopoly |
and Mr.. Cleveland in his inaugural adj |
dress declared that ito the extent that
they can be reached and restrained by |
federal power the general government
shOul relieve our citizens from their in |
reference and exactions." Yet not a
single step has been taken by the adj
ministration, sc far as the public knows,
TO enforce the law. Six months ago it
was reported that action in this direc-
tion was contemplated, but If such was
the case no proof Of it has been furnished
and in the meantime the trusts have con
tinued their eXactions and grown more ,
formidable under the federation accorded
them. Undoubtedly the rank and file of
the democratic party sincerely desire the
suppression Of the trusts. II is ques-
tionable whether the leaders do.