The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-11-23
Strong Report Adopted By the
National Grange.
OPPOSE MISUSE OF POWER
DEMAND ENACTMENT BY CON-
GRESS oF PROPER LAWS.
Would Suppress Combinations That
Destroy Competition and Arbi-
trarily Dictate Price of Commodi-
ties-Advocate the Imposition of
Severe Penalties.

| Springfield, o., Nov. 22.-The National
Grange, which has been in session in
this city during the past week, will adj
journ sine die tomorrow. Important
in today's proceedings was the report
Of the committee on trusts" which
was adopted. The trust committees
report was as follows:
The National Grange express their
approval of the address of our worthy
master. Aaron Jones, regarding the
trusts, and demand the enactment by
congress of such laws as will Trotect
the people against all combinations of
men and capital inimical to public pol
icy.
I'VE are not opposed to associations
of interests which merely lessen the
cost of production, but we are decided
ly opposed to the misuse Of the power
which large combinations of capital
give for the purpose of destroying COM
petition, controlling production and ar
bitrarily debating prices of commodi-
ties
I'VE are opposed to all corporations
or trusts which control the course of
supply, and, like the Standard Oil COM
pany, reach out their arms and en-
brace all competition. Special favorS,
are granted them by railroads, thus
enabling them to undersell and force
TO the wall the smaller dealers. who
might otherwise compete with them
Encouragement to Capital.
I'VE encourage the investment of
capital in every branch of legitimate
industry, and demand fair play. The
expansion Of our territory and COM
merce tends to increase the number of
capitalized associations. The greed and
selfishneSs which too often actuate men
has become an element of danger, and
must be controlled. 1t must be made
impossible for so-called trusts to ac-
cumulate millions by selling watered
stock without adding to the wealth of
the country. Therefore, we recommend.
First-Official inspection of all COR
porationS, as in the case of national
banks. No corporation should be toler-
ated whose books cannot bear inspec-
ton.
'Second-Prohibition of all rebates or
Determinations by public carriers.
Naturalization of all capital stock.
'Fourth-All capital stock should be
paid up in full.
"Fifth-Severe penalties for violation
of law; (a) by forfeiture of charter, fine
and imprisonment; OBJ by impeach-
ment, fine and Imprisonment of all pub
lie officials whose duty it may be to
enforce the law and who fail to perform
that duty.
Petitions to Congress.
'Suggestions-Wew would advise many
petitions to congress to pass remedial
legislation along the lines above sug-
gested.
1--WE ask the members of our body to
secure state legislation not in conflict
with national laws, but suited to the
peculiar requirements of their respec-
tive states. One of the greatest evil
dences of trusts is their power to con-
troll elections and corrupt officials This
can be remedied by educating the peo-
pie. Meanwhile we must control by
the strong arm of authority One prin-
ciple worthy of consideration has been
thus stated.
Whenever monopolies are based
upon the acquisition of nearly the en-
tire supply of natural treasures of any
sort, and upon exclusive ownership of /
raw material of any kind, government
ownership of the course of supply is
called for The National Grange and
patrons of husoandry pledge its best
efforts for the suppression of such dan
gerous associations, and we invite the
earnest cooperation of every liberty I
loving, self-respecting citizen of the re-
public"
The Grange also adopted the follow
ing resolution: THAT we most heartily
desire the upholding of our merchant |
marine, but we are emDhatically op-
posed to the principle of subsidy, and |
believe the desired results can end will. |
be accomplished without resorting |
thereto