The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-04-01
TRAFFIC ASSOCIATIONS ARE TRUSTS.

TRAFFIC ASSOCIATIONS ARE TRUSTS.
The decision of the United States
Supreme Court declaring the Trans
Missouri freight association combi-
nation in restraint of trade, and there
fore an illegal organization under the
antitrust laws, is hailed by the mono
poly press as a verdict in the interest
of the people. The Associated Press
sent out the news with the statement
that sit hit the railways hard" The
decision means nothing of the kind.
The monopoly press is trying hard to
re-establish the confidence of the peo-
pie in the Supreme Court, so that an
other incOme-tax decision would be
tolerated whenever the trusts, monopo-
lies, or money power decided they
needed such a decision. The Phila-
delphla Item, one of the leading news
papers of that city, in an editorial dis
cussing this decision and the general
railroad question, says:
1.-The published rates of freight
charges on many of our roads is one
thing, and the rates actually charged
shippers is another. Frequently they
b-ar no relation whatever to one an
other. But the differences--when not
declared Warfare-are made in secret
in the shape of secret rebates, and in
| beLa T. of a city, town, or firm, while
| necessarily at the expense of their
competitors.
'All this secret rebate business, how
ever, the above decision does not affect
either way. 1t will all go right along
! just the same and remain secret to gel
outside of the Interstate Commerce
law; and also be more or less the sub.
ject of Wall street manipulation fol-
stock exchange effect, and the making
or unmaking of fortunes by those wh6
happen to be inside the ring.
$50 far as the public is concerned
the decision does not amount to much
except in the sustainment of the Law
against combinations which. strict,
speaking, are trusts. With or witbOu
such associations, interstate trade viii
be carried on pretty much the same.
"But it is highly likely, in case thi
decision is sustained, that it all will
soon result in the combination, first o
few railways, then in more as the,
are taken in one at a time, of man,
railways into one distinct corporation
, And where existing charters do not al
low such dissolution and reOrganiza
ton, means in the Legislatures to tina
> end will be sought; and all this to tn
eventual end that pretty much all GU
railroads shall become one giganti
corporation, with one President an
] one Board of Directors.
"Everything is now drifting tina
way; and, when that day comes, sue
4 combined roads will possess prett
1 large monopoly for offence or defeuc
, so that the rest of the government ma
find it hard to overcome their aggr.
Q gated influence"
When that day comes, and it is il
D deed near at hand, then the Govern
q ment must take charge of the railrOa,
Q and operate them at cost without di
Q elimination, but with equal and exa
: justice to all. This is the only effecti,
remedy from the present and increa
% ing evils from monopoly transport
ton. II the people, through the
. government: have not the courage al
y power to apply this remedy, then Il
= railroads and monopOlies will destr,
, the government and place monarch
II over the people.