The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-03
is THE TOBACCO TRUST ALL POW.
Full?

Since the tobacco trust purchased
the Lggett q Myers CO., the X. j..
REYNOLDS Co., and Blackwelfs Durham
Bull Company. there has come a feel
ing that the trust is all powerful ana
that no opposition factory can stand
against its mighty power. There is
no doubt that its trength, financial
standing and great influence with the
trade gives the trust power that IS
not to be underestimate. The IN
der endent concerns are still doing
well, but their friends cannot sup
press anxiety lest sooner or later they
find large success impossible.
The Southern Tobacco Journal says
that large capitalists are arranging to
start an immense antitrust plug to-
bacco factory with Col. M. c. Wet
more, late president of the Ligget d
Myers Company, as president. The
Jorrn Il adds:
"A great Independent plug factory,
man with such prestige in the bGsi-
ness, would DC very welcome at tins
time, and would be hailed with great
pleasure by the trade at large. There
is every reason to believe that 1t
would be success, for more and more
people every day are being sorcly
hurt by the formation of industrial
combinations and the enmity against
the trusts is spreading and intensity
ing. There is good demand now
and that demand will grow as time
goes on-for antitrust goods, adver-
tised as SUCH
In this connection it is pleasant to
recall that though the company of
which he was president sold out to
the tobacco trust, Col. Wetmore pub
licly declared his intention to con-
tinue his war upon trusts. After the
transfer had been made and Col. Wet
more had resigned and retired from
the company, he called the three thou
sand employees of the factory to-
gether in the streets in front OF the
building to bid them farewell After
few gentle words of assurance that
their positions probably would be safe,
and admonishing them to continue do
ing their duty as they did under he
old regime, Col. Wetmore broke into a
violent denunciation of trusts and
monopolies of all kinds, especially the
giant tobacco trusts. He reviewed
the history of Liggett g. Myers; how
they had prospered under independent
management until they virtually be-
came masters of the tobacco stua-
ton in this country. He declared:
For twelve years | have fought
every effort to dispose of this proper
ty to any trust. | have warned my
business associates of the danger of
such move.
81 have eXpatiated on the danger to
the country of trade combinations. |
have used every argument in my pow
er. For that long was successful,
but | was not in control. Do what |
would / was at last forced to yield. l
was one man against hundreds;
small capital against millions and
millions. 1t was not necessary for this
company to sell to the trust. 1t never
would have been necessary. 1t was
never so prosperous as i'm the last five
years. / reasoned thus, but | was
finally overrnled. Had 1 controlled
| the plant never would have consent
ed to it's transfer to a trust. We will
yet win. ] propose to devote my
time and energies and money in aid
| ing the fight against trusts. That
cause shall have every assistance in
my power
These remarks were greeted with
prolonged applause by the employees
and a thousand others attracted to the
scene.
Col. Wetmore may not die worth as
| many millions as the trust magnates
| who thrive by destroying competition,