The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-14

true that long step has been taken
towards the solution of a problem when
the problem itself has been clearly
stated. 1t may be of service therefore
If the various questions which the pres
ent combinations of capital have raised
and towards the solution of which this
conference may we'll contribute much
be brought together. l cannot expect
to state clearly all of the questions
raised by the growth of these Industrial
combinations, but l mention some of
| the most important ones as they have
been called to my attention"
The Problem.
| Professor jerks placed before the
conference the questions whether com
| bnations of capital do really abolish
competition and how far an establish
| ment which sells only a high percent
| age, say rs per cent. to 80 per cent. Of
| the total product, can secure monopo-
| listic gains: whether combinations of
| capital and combinations of labor are
| the same in principle. demanding the
! same treatment by law: what effect the
| tariff laws have upon trusts and conf
| binations; whether the patent laws
| should be SO changed as to prevent thA
| right of monopoly accruing to the pat
| entee; how far railroad discrimination
| is responsible for trusts whether or not
the claim is well founded that combina
| tions of capital are blessings to she
| general public in stimulating foreign
! trade: whether or not the over-captal-
| ization so common in the organization
| of trusts is an evil. and if so. how 1t
| should be treated; the effect Of combi-
! nations on prices Of raw material and
| finished products, on wages and on
| middlemen; the wisest form of legis-
lation should it be decided that there
| is need of state interference in the
matter. Said Professor jerks: ''If the
| state needs to interfere in this modern
-. .~4Ja
| lation is wisest? Should it be destruc-
| tive and attempt to prevent combina-
| ton or should it be regulative, permit
| ting combination but attempting so 10
| control that evils to the public may be
| avoided? OF legislation aiming at de-
| struction. We have had many exam
pies The question will remain unset
| tied as to how far this legislation will
| prove effective Many points have been
| overruled by the court; many have
been upheld Experience only will show
| the outcome thereof.
| IF legislation is to be chiefly regula-
tive, will it be sufficient to secure pub
| lcity or can something be done to pre-
| vent undue raising of prices? sec
ond question of not less import is this:
How far can such legislation be nation
| al under the general provisions of cur
constitution regarding interstate COM
merce. and how far must the legislation
| be state? Could there be within a rea-
! sonable time national incorporation OF
great industries over which the federal
| government should have sole control?
I If so, would such control be advisable?
| Can congress now under our present
constitution secure full information for
| public use regarding the nature of the
| property and business of great corpora
| tions and frequent reports regarding
| the condition of the business? Could 1t
so inspect the books and records of such
| o,y r,f1 that nl1hlir confidence in
| reports would be assured? If such pub
| licity were sought through the govern
ment would a special commission or bu-
| reau be needed for the administrative
! work? Can any of the states by any
| measures effectively promote the inter
ests of their citizens without laws which
| are substantially uniform among them
| all?"
| 1t was l O'Clock before the paper was
| finished and adjournment was taken
| until O'Clock.
| The afternoon session opened with
| paper by Professor Adams on the same
| subject as his predecessor Mr.. jerks.
| stirred Them Up.
| These addresses were received at
| tentively but it remained for Dudley
| wooten of the Texas delegation to stir
| up enthusiasm of the camp meeting
| variety. He was frequently interrupt
ed by cheering and was rapturously
|
the Lone Star state upon the compile
| ton of his peroration. He said in part:
| Accepting in good faith that amend
ment which the heroic legions OF the
South resisted unto death on thou
sand battlefields, we believe that mel
ther slavery nor involuntary servitude,
/ except as punishment for crime, shall
exist within the United States or any
place subject to their jurisdiction. And
we confidently assert that the CONNER
cial and industrial bondage being rap
| idly imposed upon the toll and talents
| of 70, 900 900 American citizens by the
| syndicated wealth of a few great cor
porate monopolies is more dire and dan
| gerous than the slavery which bowed
the heads and burdened the backs of
| 100000 southerners.
And over and beyond these written
! guarantees of equality and justice we
| look to the lessons of history and ap-
peal to the authority of experience.
| When we are told the spirit of COM
, merce promises golden rewards to the
/ present tendencies Of our economic sys-
/ TEN we remember that no republic has
| ever survived the mercenary despotism
| of merchants and money changers"
John Graham Brooks of Cambridge
Mass, in sticking closely to facts as
he prefaced his remarks, was received
with considerable applause.
The committee on permanent organ
ization met after the afternoon ad-
| journment of the conference. The com
| mittee consisted of one delegate from
each state represented, and each organ
| ization of general scope.
William Writ Howe of Louisiana was
| selected chairman of the meeting. and
| after a hot discussion was elected
| permanent chairman of the conference,
| though three vice chairmen, each to
| preside one day, were selected.
The vice Chairmen selected were:
Thursday, Dudley Wooten, Texas; Fri
| day. II. V. Johnson, Colorado, Satur-
| day, S P Corlis, New York.
Ralph NJ Easy was selected as per
manent secretary, The following sub
committee on programme and rules was
| appointed: II. w. Blair, New Hamp-
shire; l.. D. Sutherland, Nebraska; ]
| w. Gaines Tennessee: J. C. Hanley
| Minneapolis; a. D. Davidson, Texas.
After vainly trying to solve the ques-
! tion of a committee on resolutions, the