Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-17
TWELVE PAGES
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY II, 1899.
COMPETITION CONSIDERED.

Charleston tried competitive lines and
the experiment proved a failure. The
people have now satisfied themselves
that in order to have good service and
to get the best results, ii is necessary
that all interests shall be consolidated
under one management, that the lines
Shall be conducted upon the most eco
nomical basis. SO as to give the best
service at the lowest cost.
People may cry out rs much as they
VIII against trusts and monopoics. but
in this day great enterprises must he
conducted on the CO. Operative plan. The
corporation has come as one of the de-
lnandS OF the age, and it has come to
stay. Those communities which fight
1t simply fight their own interests
Richmond Times.
Discussing the same matter, the
Washing on Post speaks TO the same eff
feet. Yet in the same issue of the
Times that ii says what We quote above,
1t prints on its editorial page. with APP
parent approval. "a Lesson to
Trusts" from the Louisville Courier
Journal. as if in palliation or defense
of trusts. This article halls with pleas
ure and satisfaction The Union Tobacco
Company as huge competitor of the
trusts known as the Continental Tobac-
co Company and the American Tobacco
Company-the two latter being in effect
one. Speaking OF the account given of
the resources and accomplishments of
the new Union Trust. the Courier-J our
nal says
The report is most interesting. for it
shows how Impossible it Is for even the
biggest trust to get rid Of comDct.t!on
unless 1t can acquire control of the
raw material. as the Standard oil Com
pany has been able to do. Tho same
reasons which led 10 the formation of
the Continental inspired the promoters
OF the Union. The profits Of the plug
trace are enormous and it is impossible
10 Keep capital from seeking such a
promising field. This is one of the nat
ural laws OF trade. and it is not To he
Ignored by even the most powerful com
hinations. The International Paper
Company Is already faced with tho CON
struction of Immense new mills which
In time may divide IT'S trade as thor
oughiy as the independent rehnerics
nave encroached on the business of tho
sugar Trust. The Federal Steel. the
Rubber and other trusts will oventuallv
meet the same fate.
something is going 10 happen in trust
circles soon. and the tobacco trade NAV
be the hrst field of action. As long as
the tendency is to continue compa;itio,
the matter will not be so distrose,ne-
but II would be better both for the con-
sumner of plug and the producer of leaf
tobacco If there could be n greater
number OF small factories rather than
Two mammoth concerns. Louisville
Courier journal.
Evidently in quoting this so promi-
nently on its editorial page. with no
dissent. the Times feels that competi-
non still has something to be said for
IT. and that monopoly has not so sud
denly gained the assent and apnroval
OF mankind. after a uniform ana uni
Versal condemnation by experience ana
the judgment of political economy. for
centuries. per saltum and by common
assent. The truth is that until the adj
vent or trusts and similar mammoth
combinations and corporations. science
shn experience. government ana peo-
PIE, all concurred in the positive con
Fictioh and monopoly was the paraly-
sls OF trade and business the oppressor
OF iapoF and materials, ana the soulless
e%tortioner Of the public and The peoplc.
ana that free competition was best for
BUSINESS business men. labor. material
products and people. There is no new
argument or discovery TO alter this YER
dict OF mankind and the ages. except
the enormous capital and influence OF
conspiracies that scon at law, justice,
reason and conscience,
/, Monopoly is the same old monster.
Competition is the same great sclf-de-
Tense Of the interests and rights of men
and nations. h Monopoly cannot be de-
v lI .