New Iberia enterprise. (New Iberia, La.) 1885-1902, 1899-07-01
A Solid Argument Against Trusts.

The following strong editorial appears
in the May number of The Book keeper,
an illustrated monthly for business men
1t is worthy of consideration by all thought
full people;
In defending trusts "The Old Man"
has briefly presented the arguments gen
orally advanced in their behalf. He is
plausible, possibly convincing to those who
have not given the question such study
and thought as its Importance deserves.
But his logic is on q par with that of the
philosopher who reasoned thus: GOOD is
necessary to life. Corn is food, therefore
corn is isnecessary to life" Speaking tech
nicaly, this syllogism is vitiated by an
undistributed middle. Corn is made syn
onymous with the term food as embracing
everything eaten with a view to sustaining
life. "The Old Man" has as his minor
premise: "a harmonious unison of capi-
tai and labor produce the best results for
the entire people of nation y for his ma
tur premise TRUSTS bring ut,uut IN frar--
monious union of capital and labor for
his conclusion ''Therefore trusts produce
the best results for the entire people of
the nation.' Ho no more covers the en-
tire field to be considered than did the
man who reached the absurd conclusion
that corn is necessary to life.
The aggregate capital outside of that
represented in trusts, is enormous. The
army of labor unemployed by these mod
ern institutions runs away into the mil
lions, made up of men and women who
are willing and anxious to work, but have
no opportunity. If all capital desirous of
trade investments were in trusts and if
they gave profitable employment to all la
Dor seeking employment in the same line
of enterprise, than "The Old Man. could
vindicate his reasoning. AS it is, he APP
pears only as a special and specious plead
er on behalf of a minority both in capital
and labor. He does not champion tho
cause of the entire people, but OF a
favored few who establish an autocracy of
wealth that he would hedge about with
defense ostensiby founded on both good
morals and good law.
Take for granted his claim that the ten
dency is toward dimnution in the mar
gin of profits. 1t by no means follows
that a comparatively few men, strong in
the fact of their wealth, may justly COM
bine this strength in order that they may
the profits which were more
equtably distributed under the old system
Il cannot be fairly concluded that these
cOmbiners have right to serve their own |
selfish purposes by saying to a man in
business: "Get out or we will ruin you -
to another: "Invest nothing in our field |
Of enterprise unless you want to be driven |
out pauper - to third: "Don't dare to |
sell ut prices less than we have fixed for |
the retailers who buy of us or we will force |
you to shut your dOOrs,' and to all |
1--WE re running this business. Dare any |
attempt to interfere with us and we will |
crush you"
And "The Old Mans talk about the
union of capital and labor in
trusts is the veriest rot. In thus picturing
The lion and the lamb as lying down to-
yether he neglects to tell you that the
amb is inside of the lion. Laboris large
" swallowed up and at tho mercy of the
trusts. They fix the price. They cruelty
lecapitate hundreds of faithful servants at
They say to helpless labor that
rs the case may be, for the trust wants to
liminish its output in order to increase
he selling price of the commodity in
which it deals. They force thousands into
Involuntary idleness by driving competi-
ion from the field in the many cities and
owns Of the country. They further swell
he army of the unemployed by forcing
hose who were formerly small producers
nto the ranks of labor. Then they are in
position to laugh at any demand for an in
'rease of wages or protest at a proposed
eduction. They can point to the enforced
dlers whom they have made and show
low the vast supply on which they can
lraw is clamoriDg for work, even though
he remuneration be only enough to keep
,ody and soul together.
Again, for the sake of argument, give
The Old Man. his way in saying that
rusts make the articles they produce
heaper to the consumer. In so far as
hey do so it is merely the exercise of a
discretionary policy and at any time when
hey think the temper Of the public
will permit, they can follow the example
f the coal trust in manipulating the out
,ut SO as to advance prices. They are
easonably good so long as their status is
but il the time ever comes
vhen they are intrenched as 1.-THE Old
Ian thinks they now are. their rapacity
lone need be consulted as to the extent
0 which they will bleed the people.
But cheapness to the consumer as an
rgnment in favor Of trusts is one Of the
most selfish and cold-biooded reasons ever
ddueed in favor Of any cause. It is con-
emptible in its meanness and would have
o be carried but a little farther to say
hat the consumer better steal what he
leeds, for that is cheaper than buying at ,
ny price. Are millions of men and wo-
men, our friends, neighbors and fellow
itizens, to be deprived of livelihood, of
he rights of those who are willing and !,