Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-15
ANTITRUST CONVENTION.
Few Delegates and Fewer Spectators. gu u.
Talk Goes Steadily On.

Chairman Howe proceeded al oncs !.
business by putting before the house /.
esolution introduced by r. G. FAR !,
Missouri, for the appointment Of ~
important committee on resolutions
The motion instantly developed III
under-current Of strife between tn
factions for and against trusts. whieb
threatened the conventions,
harmony. The motion was amended u
allow the appointments 10 the commit
tee to be made by the delegates then.
selves, instead Of the chairman On. Z
Committeeman from each state. anl9
was carried by standing vote-a
To a.
Gov. Atkinson If West Virginia. fran
far corner declared that ID was IN.
fair To bind the delegates by resoln.
tion.
The debate waxed warm and DELE.
gates clamoring fore recognition ross
i'm every part II the house
Upon the suggestion Of W. Bourks
Cochran it was finally decided that the
committee On resolutions consist Of M,
only one representative of state dela.
CATION. but ~ each national organic.
ton.
To this committee 1t was resolved
that an resolutions be referred with.
cut reading or debates
Mr.. Lawrence Purdy 0f the Naw
YORK Tariff Reform Club. who was
then introduced. opened the tariff de-.
bate. Mn Purdy spoke In part Az fol.
lo"s. II do not contend that the only
cause for combination which restrain
trade is the tariff, but the tariff does
foster and assist in maintaining such
combinations. The tariff is under the
control Of the federal government, the
abolition Of duties upon articles mo-
duced rs trusts Is easy. immediate and
effective. When this special privilege
" Withdrawn We will then " in bet
tyr position to 40 what further may be
necessary
Air Purdy was followed by Byron W.
Holt VIZ the New England Free Trader
club The following extract gives the
KEY note Of his words: That tia
tariff. by shielding our manufacturers
from foreign competition. makes il
easy for them 70 combine to restrict
production and 70 fix prices-up to the
tariff limit-ought 10 be evident 10
every intelligent man. II ought also 10
be evident to All here that the greatest
objections T. trusts i due 70 their abil-
ity % raise prices above a normal
profit producing point. That the trusts
raise prices. whenever possible. to what
they consider the maximum profit
point is certain"
John r. SCanlOn Of Illinois. took up
The cudgel on benalf Of the protection
lists. He called forth a storm of min
gled Kisses and applause by declaring
that it was a brave man. who after
the experience of the last few years,
would advocate a policy Of free trade.
H. compared the conditions Of the
country with various times to show
that prosperity was greatest when the
tariff was highest.
The afternoon session was devoted
10 papers on the Relation Of Agricu-
Jure to Trusts" Durley Wooten acted
as chairman. Samuel H. Greeley Of
the Chicago Board Of Trade, spoke on
The protection Of American Grain
Markets from Railroad and Warehouse
Monopoly"
j. C. Hanley of st. Paul, spoke on
foreign markets and American ship
these on agriculture.
Aaron Jones Of South Bend, Ind
master of the National Grange. de-
clared that the farmer was opposed 70
no other branch of industry, including
trusts.
Major Benjamin +. Tucker Of New
York. gave his view Of trusts from the
standpoint Of the anarchist.
Vice President Corliss OF New York,
presided at the evening session. The
chairman introduced GOV. Pingree OF
Michigan. who was enthusiastically
greeted.
EX-Gov Foster of Ohio. was the next
speaker. He said: -Den0unce trusts
as we may, they have come 70 stay.
Why? Because the gigantic business
opinions of the present and the fu-
lure cannot be carried on without
hem. Through the trust the enor-
nous waste that i CENTRALIZED upon
business operations by competition IS
saved. The product and the service
performed is cheapened. Labor VIII
nave the better opportunity to en-
nance wages and shorten the hours OF
oil as is 80 signally illustrated in the
abroad service Of the country
"a bureau Of government or board.
similar to the Interstate commerce
commission. should be established 70
whom all trusts shall apply for license
.fter being incorporated and 10 whom
eports as required by national banks
hould be made The terms Of the
license should provide against over
All profits beyond s per cent. should
&c taxed for the benefit Of the govern
nent. II seems to me ii is the duty OF
his conference 10 request Congress to
uEmit amendments to the constitution.
living it necessary power TO control
he trusts and to tax their profits.
Mr.. Foster was frequently interrupt
d by the audience with questions and
Attorney General Davis Of Arkansas.
poke next. He said that the trust
-as but the ripened fruit Of misused
ariff legislation and the robbery Of
ne people on the silver question.
The chairman next introduced Prof.
eo. Gunton of New York, who was
,llowed by Attorney General Gather
f Maryland. At the conclusion or
If. Gathers speech the convention
ijourned.
1t was announced that, tomorrow
ght. there would be addresses by W.