The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-01

washington, April 22.-In view OF the
great and growing Importance Of the trust
question, 1t becomes interesting TO noic
the record made by the two great political
parties during the last congress Accord
ing to the most recent and reliable esti-
mate. there are now 153 trusts. fully or
ganized. and capitalized at ss,6i2,sz4.4o0.
According TO Postmaster General Smiths
Philadelphia paper, It is admitted that Si.-
1856. iss7oo OF this momensous aggregate
have been capitalized during the last If
teen months. Trusts have been in opera
ton to limited extent prior TO the pas
sage OF the Dingley act. but il will be
noted that the enormous growth Of these
Industrial vampires has occurred since
the enactment of that law The demo-
cratic party made persistent effort dur
ing the confederation Of the Dingley act
TO destroy all trusts. which are the out
growth OF high protection, by placing ar
ticles upon the free list when used by
trust. The effort. however. failed because
Il was antagonized By solid republican
vote.
The Congressional Record OF March IS
and March 81 1897 tells the whole story.
and it will be well for discharged employees
and for taxpayers, who are now paying
Increased prices Tor what they are COM
PEELED TO purchase. because OF trusts, 10
note the attitude OF the republican party.
Immediately after the consideration OF the
Dingley act was entered upon BY para
graphs. Mr.. Dockery OF Missouri offered
the following proyiso TO the first section;
Provided that when II is shown to
the satisfaction Of the secretary Of
the treasury that such articles ara
manufactured. controlled. or pro-
duced In the United States by trust
or trusts. the importation OF such ar
ticles from foreign countries snail Do
free OF duty until such manufacture
control. or production shall nave
ceased IN the opinion of the secre-
tsry OF the treasury.
Mr. Dlngley promptly interposed a teen
nical objection 10 the consideration OF the
proviso shown by the Congressional Rec
ord as follows;
Mr. Dingiey-The point OF order that
make Is that we are now considering
the dutiable list. and Il is proposed to
transfer articles 10 the free HIST. This
Is pot IN order until we shall have
reached the free list
Mr.. DOckefy-Well. Mr. Chairman,
have very high regard for the parlla
men;ary knowledge OF my friend from
Maine. but In view Of the probability that
We will not reach the free list. must IN
sist upon my amendment at this time.
Gaughter)
think the effect Of the parliamentary
position % the chairman OF the commit
tee will be 10 deprive the house Of an op-
portunity to vote upon the question, This
is a bill 70 provide not only for revenue.
but also for Che announcement OF the
industries OF he United States" The lat
Ter being one of the general objects OF
the bill, and having been especially en-
phasized by our friends on the other side
in the discussion. 50 far as it has pro-
crossed. II seems 10 me that any PROPOSE
iion which obviously encourages the In
dustries of the United States aud Is algo
In the interest OF the producing and con-
Stunning masses OF the people. should ne
held TO be In order. With the discovery
OF steam and electricity there came a new
industrial civilization demanding the ag-
gregation Of great masses Of capital, and
apparently requiring corporate powers and
privileges. The result OF this aggrega-
tion OF capital has been 70 make comblna-
ton easy. and, combination having thus
been made easy by the aggregation of cap
/ ital under corporate control, the final re-
/ suit has been to throttle competition.
! Mr. Chairman, in earnestly pressing the
amendment upon the consideration of the
I committee. | desire TO Invite attention to
u
Of the United States In respect to traffic
associations. That decision declares anew
the fundamental doctrine OF competition
l. Is the one great decision emanRting
from that body In recent years which
brings Joy and hope 10 the consuming
masses / trust that upon this measure
purporting 10 be a bill TO encourage The
industries of the United States and re-
ileye the laboring and producing masses
there will be no objection TO making com
petition free as air. ] trust that the chair
man OF the committee OF the whole will
not. upon mere triling, technical grounds.
hold this point OF order to be wen
I, is obvious to the chair, IL ls obvious
TO the committee. that II this amendment
can not be offered until we reach the
schedule relating 10 the free list then
can not be offered at all tor consider,
ton, under the special rule. because we
shall probably not reach the free list !
would be glad. however. 10 have the gem
tleman from Maine tMr. Dingley) Identify
that provision Of the special rule or OF the
general rule which would require this
amendment to be submitted under tho free
list classification of the bill The first
paragraph OF this bill provides:
That on and after the first day OF May
1897, unless otherwise specially provided
for in this act. there shall be levied. col.
lected and paid upon all articles imported
I
consumption. and mentioned in the sehed
ules beneath contained. the rates OF duty
which are by the schedules and paragraphs
respectively prescribed namely"
Now, then. as germane and entirely con-
sistent with this initial proposition, would
follow the proviso ecepting from the
dutiable list all articles which are Import
ed into the United States and used by A
trust In manufacturing its products; so
that, In my view, the point OF order is
not we'll taken.
debate upon the point OF order and the
merits of the question was preclpltated,
continuing during the entire day. Mr.. Dali
zell of Pennsylvania reinforced the OBJ.
lection to Mr., Dingley by asserting that
the power proposed to be conferred upon
the secretary of the treasury was judicial
and should therefore be lodged in the
courts. Mr., Doekery replied 10 this OBJ
lection by saying that he had no pride az
opinion whatever in the language al Inc
amendment, his object being 10 seo,,re
consideration OF the question. He de-
eiared himself quite willing to accep. any
substitute that might be offered mai
would more effectuaily accomplish Inc
purpose OF admitting free Of dutv nj
articles used by trusts in This countrv
during tho - -