The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-12

chitects and builders of a community
and 1 will foretell the character of its
people. You are building for the fu-
ture. This building is monument.
The court house will remain monu-
ment to my friend Webb. The post
office is the handiwork of the man who
constructed it.
You are all building every day mon
uments. 1t is ever so in life. l want
to speak for a few moments on the
subject of TRUSTS, syndicates and
combines" 1 believe that the head
long tendency to these things is to the
great detriment of the country. If it
were not that it is un-American. 1t
should receive the condemnation of ev-
cry thoughtful citizen of the country.
Our forefathers were tillers of the soil
and a little later manufacturers.
The little child of today when he
comes into the world is clothed in a
gown that is manufactured by trust
and combine. A little later he eats
candy manufactured by combine.
l ventured to say that at least 80 per
cent of these combines will fail. l am
not here to say that prices have not
been cheapened. But l do say that
the smaller concerns will have to close
their doors sooner or later. When you
gather manufacturers together they
are able to control prices. The very
heart and soul of the people of the
country is being taken.
These later day combinations lack
much of that that has made the Nor
crosses and Webbs.
Have you struck the lead combine!
Have you struck the plumbers and the
hardware men? How long will it be
before you will have to buy your lum-
Der of some combination and pay theil
price? 1t is due to the Builders Elk
change to understand that this thing
is un-American and that it must stoI
if the country is to advance.
The last speaker of the evening was
Hon. Charles c. Washb-Irn. He said:
Our own city of Worcester is con-
spicuOus for many things, is made more
conspicuous by a building firm whose
name is known all over the world. II
you would see his monument, look
about you. You will find one in almost
every city within the confines of thi:
great country. There they will stanc
for all time.
Regarding the present industrial con-
ditions Of this country, he said that the
country owes a vast deal to the manu-
factories. one hundred years agt
Franklin said that it would be many q
thousand before we should be obliged
to look to England for market ioI
our products.
1t is the corporation that carries
our freight all over the country. it is
the corporation that runs the thousands
of spndles that clOthe our people, the
grasping corporation in which any mar
may have a share. I am not contend
ing that this accumulation of capita
may not be abused. By the end of the
| year it is estimated that $3,00O,0OO COZ
| viii be engaged in these combinations
| The legislation which has been aim-
! ed to destroy these combinations is di-
rectly responsible for the great cOmbl-
nations which have been going on dur
/ ing the past few months.
/ I'VE live in a wonderful age, and
( like to think that the civilization OF
| the world is not to be effected 10y the
sword or the whip, but by the mdterla
| growth of industries. I believe thai
/ times are growing better. In solving
| these questions every citizen has HI:
part. Letiu consider existing evils
| and remedy them by wise laws.
( This concluded the after dinner speak
| ing and fthe remainder of the evening
I until midnight was enjoyed listening &
an excellent concert program by toe
| orchestra.