The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-15

through the action of individuals. themselves s
possessed of unlimited capital 1t is easy to
what, in the latter case, would happen 10
zone form in which hostile action manfests
itself is by legislation which is intended 70
keep corporations and their products out OF
particular States. This legislation in some
States takes the form of bills which permit
citizens to buy goods and with impunity to
refuse to pay for them. This is a premium on
dishonesty. In other States the attempt is to
exclude articles which are of prime necessity.
Ii the producers of such articles were to follow
the lead and to combine to keep their com
modities out of the State it is easy to see
would be compelled go without or they
would be forced to pay an nordinate price.
is left to pursue ordinary channels. will
see TO it that does not have any extraordi-
nary advantages. 1t is only when the state
tnterferes situation is created OF which an
advantage can be taken against the interest OF
the community. .e
In these days there are two forms and only
two forms of monopoly. One, that which re-
suits from patent and copyrights 1t is uni
versally recognized that this is in the interest.
not against the interest of the public. The
other, that which comes from unfair tariff
discrimination
''Tariff for revenue need not be considered.
The expenses of the Government must of course
be provided for. Tariff for the purpose of
equaliZlng against foreign bounties or foreign
discrimination does not need to be justified
Beyond that there is no excuse for giving to
against per cent for another. or any more
than 10 per cent. The result is that the Gov
eminent feeces the community at large in the
interest OF some favored industry.
1T must be kept in mind that this is rich
country not poor country. 1t must be kept
In mind that the object of every one is TO make
tant, influential.
The hostile action to which 1 referred leg
slaton against corporations, if followed to its
legitimate results would make the country less
powerful. its people less prosperous, and would
destroy the influence which comes from the
richness of the land and its people.
Citizens are divided into two classes-indus-
t , and those who wish to live on the in
dustry of others. 1t is they who without
capital who hostile to it. This is only
another mode OF stating the obvious PROPOSE
ton that 1t is those who are without means
who wish TO have it without work"
Mr.. Havemeyers statement aroused great
interest, and the next three hours were de-
voted 70 answering questions asked him in
rapid succession by the members of the com
mittee He made an incidental statement
mission that the business not profitable
now The witness confessed that his company
had very little regard for the welfare of rivals
III business, saying that prestige, ability ex-
perience and wealth would win in the long
run in the struggle, and thet trusts were an
example of the survival of the fittest in bust
ness.
That is trade he said. land the sooner
You realize it and quit trying to control it by
Federal legislation the better for all man
cannot expect to have himself continually wet
to buy our stocks, they need not. They don't
need Government protection. If they wade in
and get stuck let them get out and if they wish
their affair, not ours"
He declared that the tariff enabled the steel
ran trust to mulct the public to the extent
OF 81 per ton, and said incidentally that Mr.
carnegie had not yet stated what he was going
to do with his money
On the question of Dor Mr.. Hayemeyer said
the laboring element were forced to form or
CARNATIONS, but that in doing they sacrificed
much Independence and the unions had the
effect OF bringing other down to a low
level. He contended that he was a friend of
labor and said that good men in the employ of
the trust were paid 10 per cent more than they
could get elsewhere.
Mr. Havemeyer said that many things were
done in business which looked cold-blooded and
marsh but that business conditions often re-
CURED conduct justifying such characterize
ton The farmers, he thought ought to es-
tablish trust for their protection He de-
clared that his company had not gone into
combination with any of the independent re-
nner1es. Reports that such a consolidation had
been effected were untrue ~
Replying to a question to how he couId
conduct business at loss and still declare
dividends Mr.. Havemeyer declared, laughingIv:
one Is an executive act and the other a mat
ter of business" ~
The witness expressed the opinion that it
would be good plan to expose the business
books to a Government Inspector He closed
with protest against what he called the tariff
olscr1mlnations against sugar reiteratfnp that
II was que entirely to the feeling against com
binations in business ~