The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-14
ARE TRUSTS GOOD OR BAD?
QUESTION THAT CONFRONTs CON.
NENTION IN CHICAGO.

Labor Men Demanded Recognition
ana Got It-AntI-Trust Men Are Co.
ing to Try to secure Control OF
the Meeting.
Chicago, Sept 13-The conference on
the uses and abuses of trusts and combi-
nations began here to-day with less than
half the delegates appointed by the vari-
Gus states in attendance. New York.
headed by w. BourSe Cochran, and Wis
consin, We're most numerously represents
ed.
The meeting took place in Central Music
Han, and was called to order at 1880
o'clock by Franklin H. Head, the tenn
porary chairman appointed by the civic
federation. on whose call the conference
was arranged.
The delegates listened to an address of
welcome by Attorney General Aiken of
Illinois, representing Gov. Tanner. who
was prevented from appearing In person.
Mr.. Aiken was followed by Dr. Taylor.
who welcomed the delegation on behalf of
Mayor Harrison.
With the progress of the speaking II be.
came evident that many of the DELEGATIONS
had come with firm convictions for or
against trade combinations. The speech
of Mr.. Wooten of Texas. delivered during
the afternoon and hammering the trusts I'm
merciless manner, aroused the widest
enthusiasm In the ranks of the labor repre-
sentatives and the delegations from manv
Western nd Southern states, while the
Fasteners generally smiled critically and
kept their arms folded
The attempt TO round the somewhat
shapeess mass of delegates into working
form resulted in considerable disorder.
1t was resolved finally that the civic fed
GRAFTON, through Its chairman, Mr.. Head,
should conduct the meeting to-day and
that a committee on programme consisting
of one man from each state delegation and
one from each organization, national in its
scope, should be appointed.
Demand From Labor Men.
Local organizations IN attendance were
given voice in the committee by being all
lowed TO vote on the committeeman with
the delegation from their states The la
Dor organization did not secure reeognition
untf vigorous speeches had been made by
August Cans, representing the Knights OF
Labor. and John W. Hayes, also a Knight
of Labor delegate.
The non-attendance of many delegates
was not expected ana Secretary Easily an
nounced that probably a hundred of the
tardy ones, including Gov. Pingree of
Michigan would be present at to-morrow's
session.
Among those present we're: w. Bonrke
Cochran Albert Shaw of the Review of
Reviews. Gov. Atkinson of West Virginia.
ex-Gov. Foster of Ohio, Prof. John b.
Clarke of Columbia University, Attorney
General T. s. Smith Of Texas, f. b. Thur
Der Of New York, Prof Henry c. Adams
OF the University of Michigan Prof J.
w. jerks of Cornell University. Prof.
John @. Brooks of Cambridge, Mass lees4
turer ON political economy in the Uni
versity OF Chicago, Prof Bems; Lieut..
GOV. Jones of ONO, Prof. r. T. Ely of the
University of Wisconsin, Attorney Gem
era Smith OF Nebraska
william j. Bryan was absent but II ~
believed he will appear later in the con-
ference
Explained the Call.
Chairman Head delivered an address i'm
explanation of the call for the conference.
He said in part:
1t Is not q trust or an antitrust con-
ference, but conference In search OF
truth and light. With this end I'm view
the attendance has been solicited of men
OF every shade of opinion upon the gem
eral subject; from the men who regard
trusts and trade combinations as tho
standing menace TO our national prosper
ity, and even TO the perpetuity OF our sys-
TEN OF government. to those who feel that
trade combinations and large aggregate
of active capital are simply an active evo-
luton In the development OF our indus-
trial and commercial life and that such
aggregations are absolutely necessary to
compete wbth the vasJ accommodations and
experience of the older nations, and their
almost total control outside of food pro-
Gnf faE ha Rlaafa .aaE
are also to hear from those holding views
between either extreme; those who be-
lleVe In the value of combina tions prop
erly organized, but who recognize in the
reckless and excessive capitalization OF
many Of such combinations peril leading
10 widespread panic and distress from such
inflated stocks being absorbed by the small
investors whose savings may be thus in
great measure lost.
"We hope TO hear the general subject
discussed from all possible standpoints--
from the view not only of the organizers
of the combinations but also from the
workmen and customers Of the Industrial
corporations. We hope that light will be
thrown upon the difference between the
class of trusts which tends to monopoly
and the Industrial combinations which, in
many cases. seem 10 be 10 the advantage
Of all"
Questions for Discussion.
Erof. JenkS tolf0Wed with paper under
the caption problems Before the Confer
ence." His speech in part follows:
Under this head he presented the fos-
lowing topics OF discussion: j Combina-
ton VS.. Competition; 2. Combinations of
Capital and Combinations of Labor; 3,
Combinations Caused by Special Privi-
leges; 4, Other Causes for the Formation
of Combinations of Capital; 5. over Capt.
talization; s, Effects of Combinations on
Prices, Wages and Upon Middle Men, and
Z, legislation.
Prof. jerks entered into a brief discus
sion OF these from an interrogatory stand-
point, 80 as to clearly place the questions
before the meeting, and in conclusion said:
There are other problems suggested by
the industrial combination. / have mem
toned the most important ones to which
my attention has been called. II is hoped
that wise counsel and conservative though
bold action may In no long time solve some
OF them"
This afternoons session opened with a
paper by Prof. Adams on the same SUBJ