The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-21
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE. MONDAY. AUGUST ~.
Local. INDUSTRIAL COMBINES.

Fridays meeting OF the Puget SOUND
oystermen. wherein an arbitrary plice
upon the seasons crop was fixed. Is the
third local organization that has been
In convention this year for such pur-
pose. Shingles. salmon and oysters
three OF the distinguishing products OF
the Sound country--are now under the
price control OF the united dealers Thus
the state has within Its own borders
upon comparatively small scale the
trusts, concerning which its citizens will
doubtless be called to vote In the cleo
lions OF 1900 and an opportunity Is thus
given for a close range study Of an al
legged evil
II there be evil In the combine the dis
covery OF It's source should not be diffi-
cult and the approach to means Of REM
edy ought not to be distant. 1t il often
fortunate that education may thus be
begun at home. the personal benefit ar
gument being more potent under these
circumstances. and the points which
render the developments inevitable be-
ing more readily apprehended.
In the instance OF the combine of sal
mon ca4chers and packers both the ne
cessities and the injurious factors of
cheapening Of the processes by conduct
ing the work upon more comprehensive
scales, the regulation of the catch. &C.
coriing to the condition OF the "runs''
and the state of the market. and the
general Capitalization of the industry
are clearly for the good OF the com
muni,y. But the partial CELEBRATION NJ
the smaller elements engaged In the
trade. the Individual fisheries, the
smacks. IT cetera, disturbs the economic
arrangement OF the community, throws
an unemployed contingent into the la
Dor market and requires the discovery
Of new lines Of occupation.
Similarly to certain extent with
the shinrie business. although In this
instance the combine IL more co-npera-
ton Small millmen appear 10 have an
equal voice with the larger ones. and
any action taken Affects all in the same
manner The joint closing If the mills,
however. at stated periods. In order tn
effect a certain level In prices. isturhs
the lumber labor market. reacts upon
transportation companies and the ship
ping interests. and u certain extent
initiates against free competition.
The oyster industry is comparatively
limited. the number of companies afa
men affected by any joint action being
small, But tho power of The combine TO
dominate the local market and 90 re-
ousre prices and conditions in conicadic-
,ion ~ the usual laws ~ competition ts
obvious
No one seriously proposes Ia antagn-
Mae these concerns by trying ta icgss-
late them out of existence Few people
dispute their ultimate heuefl. to thA
state. Yet there are attached 10 their
existence .hs same problems that attach
to the lsrSer institutions. SO many q
which have heen formed under the New
Jersey laws. They ceutraiIze ana SIM
pity industry. they bring about a safer
relation between supply and demand.
labor they possess potentially a power
~ monopoly and extartion Some reEti %
,atiops VIII doubtless ~ required az
some time ard such As are framed VIII
he Tire ruainaents upon which she ra-
.icnaf legisist ion ea shc trust ''evsl' vi
BE- based.