The San Francisco call., 1899-11-23
NATIONAL GRANGE
OPPOSES TRUSTS
Demands Their Suppress
sion by Law.
Special Dispatch to The can.

SPRINGFIELD. Ohio, Nov. 22-The
National Grange, which has been in ses-
sion In this city during the past week. will
adjourn sine die tomorrow. Important
in to-day's proceedings was the report OF
the c9mmittee on trusts. which was
adopted. IL was as follows:
The National Grange express their approvaI
q the address OF our worthy master Aaron
Jones. regarding trusts and demand the enact
nlent by Congress % such laws as will protect
the people against all combinations OF men and
capital inimical 10 public policy.
We are not opposed TO the association OF in
terests which merely lessen the cost OF pro-
ouction, but we decidedly opposed TO the
misuse OF the power which large combinations
OF capital give for the purpose of DESTROYING
competition. controlling production and arbi-
rnTily debating prices OF commodities. We are
eohtrol the source OF supply. and. like the
standard on Company reach out their arms
and embrace all competition. Special favors
are granted them BY railroads, thus enabling
them 70 undersell and force 10 the wall the
smaller dealers who might otherwise compete
capital in every branch OF legitimate industry
and demand fair play. The expansion OF our
territory and commerce tends 10 increase-.;he
and selfishness which too often actuate men has
become an element OF danger and must be con-
ugiIgd- AZ must bo made impossible Tor So
called trusts 70 accumulate millions by selling
watered stock without adding TO the wealth OF
the country.
Therefore We recommend:
Flrst-oihcial Inspection OF all corporations,
as In the case of national banks No corpora
uon should be tolerated whose books cannot
bear inspection.
second-Prohibition OF all rebates or discrim-
nations by public carriers.
Ihird-IaNation of al capital stock.
Fourth-Ail capital stock should be paid up
IN full
Fifth-Severe penalties for violation OF the
law; la) by forfeiture Of charter, fine and i'm
pTisonment: OBJ by Inpeachment fine and i'm
prisonment OF all public officials whose duty II
may be 70 enforce the law and who fan 10 per
form that duty
suggestions-we would advise many petit
tions 10 Congress 20 pass remedial legislation
along the lines above suggested
we ask the members OF body 10 secure
state legislation not in conflict with National
Jaws, but suited 20 the peculiar requirements
OF their respective States. One OF the greatest
evidences OF trusts Is their power 70 contro,
elections and corrupt officials This can he
remeded by educating the people Meanwhile
thus stated
Whenever monopolies are based upon the ac-
ouisitiOn OF nearly the entire supply OF natural
treasures OF any sort. or upon exclusive owner
ship OF raw material OF any kind Government
ownership Of the source OF supply is called FOR
The National Grange and Patrons OF Husbandrv
such dangerous associations and we invite the
earnest cooperation OF every nberty-loying
self-respecting citizen OF the republic
The Grange also adopted the following
resolution: '9
That We most heartily desire the unfolding of
our merchant marine but we are efnphaticelly
opposed 20 the principle OF subsidy and believe
the desired results and will be accom-
pNshed without resOrting thereto