Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-09
BY william Lloyd Garrison.


If any evidences were needed to prove
tie failure of protective tariffs, the re-
cent colossal combinations of capital,
known as trusts would furnish it..
Had it been possible for tariffs alone to
secure that monopoly to special inter-
ests, always the prime motive OF their
enactment, many of the so-called trusts
would have been unborn. Mr. Have
meyer was right in declaring the tariff
to be their fruitful mother.
Against natural combinations of cap
ltal for purposes of economy and eff
6ciency, no objection can be made so
long as they are not removed from the
field of competition by artificial laws.
No matter how ambitious their pur-
pose, how sdllful their organization,
they canharm only the protectors if
unsuccessful. They are subject to the
crucial test of the worlds rivalry and
must live on their merits or die. No
matter how well-intentioned their man
ayers, disaster awaits them unless the
laws of trade are scrupulously obeyed.
When these laws are observed society
gains by the enterprise.
DEPARTMENT STORES NOT HARM
Full.
Discrimination must precede denun-
citation. The great department stores,
which it is the fashion to decry, are
not a menace, bu. a boon to the COM
munity. They flourish because they
supply a natural want, have little or No
exemption from competition, and, while
enriching their owners if we'll managed,
also enrich their customers by reducing
the cost of goods. They are not men
acing combinations and are not but
tressed by unjust legislation.
Cooperation in production and dis
tribution is perfectly legitimate and de-
serves encouragement while ability,
skill, foresight, and other valuable hui
man qualities are relied upon, and
when no element of special privilege is
allowed to enter. Far otherwise is it
with governmental monopoies when
the law of equal rights and services is
throttled The protective tariff. shut
ting out foreign competing products,
overstimulates domestic industries and
gluts the limited market. Consequent
ly retribution is always in waiting.
Wooden mills, for instance, multiply
their output when the tax on foreign
goods shuts out importations. By
home competition the temporary adj
vantage is soon lost Both producer
and consumer suffer in the end, the
one by decreased consumption, the 9TH
er by high prices, by this stupid def
ance of the natural law of trade. Re-
solved into a trust, however, manufac-
turers can again utilize the tariff for
more undeserved profits.
Each tariff must be more drastic
than its predecessor, calling for in
creased stimulant. Its purpose is
constantly neutralized by the active
law of freedom, which it disregards.
The Dingley tariff, the latest and most
outrageous Of the many despotic acts
Of a Democracy early developed signs
of failure, and a foreign war was par
ticipated largely to cover high tariff
shortcomings and justify new edicts for
revenue But the higher the tariff
wall. the more internal monopolies are
fostered.
THE CHIEF OBJECT CT TRUSTS.
The chief reasons put forth to de-
fend trusts are hollow and delusive.
Economy, cheapness, and public adj
vantage are not the true motives of
these combinations. The single object
is the enrichment of their promoters.
To hide this naked selfishness the pre-
tese of public benefit is used as a cloak.
The economies made accrue to the
trusts, seldom to the people, although
the occasional lowering OF prices, ow-
ing to improved methods and new in
ventions, is unscrupulously claimed as
the result of consolidation. So far it
is the foreigners who are favored at
our expense, the surplus product being
marketed at low prices abroad to main
tain high prices at home
To try and correct these evils by
special legislation is 'ascidian folly"
AS we'll attempt to create a soul under
the ribs of DEATH" Courts, Legisla-
lures, and the ablest legal talent are
subordinated to these vast and power
full interests, To evade penalty a trust
can change its form in a twinkling
when hard pressed laws can be con-
strued to favor any violation, and the
representatives and admins trative de-
partments. No Congress or tribunal is
impartial or independent.
Already the promoters of ill-timed
trusts are trembling the public have
declined their bait and in a money
pinch the banks will question and
throw out unmarketed securities. Many
of the schemes are still-born. The
undertaken knows that his services
will soon be wanted. The most bitter
opponent of trusts, if he posses his