The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-04-29
THE GRO WITH OF TRUSTS.


the Incubation of those gigantic com.
binations known as trusts. Two were
organized that will be far reaching in
their effects, and will result in no good
to the masses One which will con-
troll practically all the large copper
mines in the United States, was organ
lied by London stockholders, and il
among the most gigantic combines
ever made. The equalization is
s40O, ,000, 900, and it is expected the
concern will be able not only to con-
troll the copper products OF America,
but will regulate the price of copper
throughout Europe, since it will give
the company corner on the worlds
supply of copper and will enable 1t to
regulate prices, since it can place its
product where it is in the greatest de-
mand, and lessen the output so as to
create demand at whatever price it
may put on that article of commerce.
Another big concern that blossomed
forth last week is the Union Steel
Chain Co., Incorporated under the
laws of Delaware with a capital of
s6O. 100000. The organization has
optious on all the chain plants and
steel works in the country, and as the
present tariff gives it a complete
monopoly of the American market.
there will be practically no limit to
the price which it NAV put on the out
put Of it's mills. Consumers will be
stood up and made pay this organizs-
tion enormous profits, which will be
little less than robbery. and the sue.
cess it will meet with in its piracy will
serve to encourage other similar COM
binations.
In addition to these two trusts that
were successfully launched che past
week, another was contemplated and
started we'll on the way toward perfec-
tion. 1t is the mbination of all the
safe and lock manufacturers of the
United States. Thirteen companies
engaged in this line of industry have
about consented to enter into the
combination, and when it is'completed
there will be sudden advance in the
price of safes. SO when the business
man wants to protect his money. books
and papers from thieves and fire he
will be called upon to pay tribute to
the safe trust.
With such rapid growth Of trusts
there seems to be no limit TO the num-
ber that may organize except the
limit be gauged by the number ofindus-
tries. When each undivided industry |
is thoroughly organized, then she sxt |
move will be to com bi ne the industries, |
and if halt is not called there is |
nothing to prevent all the manufac-
turing of the country being under the |
management of one mammoth concern.
Should this ever occur, individual
freedom In America will be at an end.
The man who must earn living by |
labor will have no voice in the price |
he shall receive, for there will be no |
competition in the labor market. He |
will he ground down to a mere living,
and will be required to labor as long |
as bis employer shall dictate. When |
he ceases to be of value to the en-
ployer he will be turned out upon cold |
charity. penniless and aged, to either
starve or receive aims at the hands of |
his master.
Surely the growth of trusts is alarm
ing, and has greater tendancy
to cause anarcbry than all the
speeches a million Herr Mosss
could make in a lifetime. 1t
threatens the free institutions of the
nation already, for trusts have such a
grasp upon Hfficials that the United
States attorney-general tells US there
Is no law to regulate or prevent them,
and congressman will not dare to pass
laws detrimental to the interests of
the combines. The growth of trusts
is certainly the gravest question with
which the American people are con.
fronted today, and certainly legisla-
ton to prevent their formation is
timely, for if long delayed they will
have SO firm grasp upon law making
bodies that revolution will be the
only remedy.