The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-21

wilkes Barre. Sept. 2O.-Hon. II. w.
Palmer who attended the trust con-
ference at Chicago as a delegate APP
pointed by Governor Stone, has re-
turned from his trip and expresses
himself in an interesting way win ret-
erence to the same. He says in part
"I found the conference at Chicago
very instructive as well as amusing.
Taken all together the chiet perlorih-
ers were a most remarkable assort-
ment Political economists, IaboS re-
formers, socialists, single takers, an
archists, free traders, protec ,.onists'
politicians. .demagogues and cranksWere
all represented and given an opon'-
tunity to air their peculiar views Jh3
most conspicuously absent person WAS
the trust promoter.
"Au the different classes OF people
were of one mind as to the capacity OK
combinations of manufacturers large
enough to control trade for making
mischief by overcharging. but there
was no agreemnt on any other subject.
Some of the professors of pollIlcal
economy who were, of course, tli1illar
with the history Of industrial Develop
ment in all countries were OF the opln-
ion that the tendency among manufdc'
turers to consolidate for the purpose OF
avoiding destructive competition, saw
ing in the cost of production and distrl-
button. was a natural evolution and
distinct advance: that evidently the
effect would be to reduce the cost OF
the necessaries of life and advance tho
wages of labor; that the capitalist, the
consumer and the labOrer or mechanic
would all share in the saving and the
general welfare he promoted by the de-
crease of economic waste. This rosy
view was strongly Contradicted by the
antitrust shOuters, who contended
that the temptation to advance prices
when a combination obtained ccntrjl
of the market would be too strong to
be resisted and that instead of reduc-
ing the cost of the necessaries of life
it would be increased.
"The remedies suggested by the anti
trusters were various. The Southern
delegates We're in favor of smashing
all combinations of capitalists w!tI )u-
reservation or mercy. Texas aud Ar
kansas have already adopted laws
closing their courts to all r arsous or
corporations who seek to Colle2t a debt
due a combine, forbidding them to
transact business in the states, an1
making disobedience to the law fell
ony punished by fine and imprison.
ment.
Mr.. Bryans remedy was to give the
States full power to deal with the
trusts as they might see fit aul to the
federal government power 30 roSulate
and license all doing interstate husi-
ness.
"Mr. Cochran favored laws securing
publicity of accounts, and with this
means Of knowledge in the hands Of
the people, the greater libart' 20 do
business with or without combinations
being assured, that excessive profit
would instantly bring comp atition into
any and all fields of indus:'v.
BRYAN A DISAPPOINTMENT
In speaking of Mr.. Bryan Mr.. Palmer
said:
"Mr. Bryan and his speech were Il
great disappointment to his admirers
and to none more than the vecy en-
thusiastic delegation from Texas and
Arkansas. 1t was observed that his
observance was labOred, his law faulty
and the remedy for what he as mmed
70 be the evils Of combinations Of caT-
ltal far worse than any possible dis
ease. During the latter part o. Mr.
Bryan's address he adapted portions
of his former speeches, which went off
more easily. The newspaper accounts
Of his reception and the applause given
him were greatly Overdrawn. I have
seen meetings as dmonstra+ive in
Wilkes-Barre many a time. The senti-
ments most vociferously apolau1ed
We're extracts from the Decla alton Of
Independence, and the Ten Command
ments. Whether they We're very novel
or very familiar in Chicago could not
be determined. The concer'us Of opn-
ION was that as a debator, thinker and