The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-16

Nothing which any public official or
public journal may say can change the
strange condition by which the board of
control found itself confronted when cpea-
ing the second set of bids for the coal
supply of the city hospital, alrushouse
and outdoor relief for the ensuing year,
It was surely a dangerous and a shame
full condition.
There were six bids. The bidders were
the me as On the former occasion. Thei,
bids were the same as each others, and
as formerly presented, wi h the exception
that the price of anthracite coal was
raised 70 cents per ton over the former
bids
This state Of things show how ruthless
and Irresponsible are those who have con-
troll of the coal supply of the country.
The responsibility for the situation does
not rest with the local coal dealers, nor
is it in any degree imposed on the officials
who We're thus held up. Ne cons dera-
ton of charity or of the public burdens
weighs one jot with this shameless COM
bination. It's members recognize the
present helplessness of the public, and
merely follow out programme which
has been plainly marked out to be pur-
sued during the forthcoming winter to-
ward the public and the individual alike
We must have coal for our public in
situations here and elsewhere. The policy
of which St. Paul is thus made the We
tim has been adopted in Minneapolis, and,
we suppose, elsewhere throughout the
country. Like the meat combination, the
coal combine has apparently concluded
that the time has come to further mule.
the public; and the result is a system of
industrial stand-and-deliver which ig-
nores every consideration except alone
the determined purpose Of the coal COM
bine to rob the people of the United
States at its own free viii.
1t is useless at this time talking about
a wholly effective remedy. We may as
well concede this much. There is 70
denial of it. Coal is indispensable to the
maintenance of our public institutions as
well as 10 the very existence of the peo-
pie of the cities. Because this is true
the coal combine is able with complete
impunity, to charge what it pleases for
It's commodity, and in the present condi-
ton of public sentiment there is no re-
course except to submit
Here, then, is an illustration of one OF
the most dangerous tendencies of our
time. Perhaps the most indispensable Of
all the necessaries of life, controlled bv
a trust, is used as a club to beat tho
public in submitting to the grossest ex-
tortion, deliberately decided en- and in
creased according as the limits of popular
endurance are gagged by the conspira-
tors. How long will this sort of thing
endure? How long will the agencies of
American government leave the people
helpless against this reckless exto1tion?
No one can tell.
There is absolutely no condition affect
ing the coal supply when makes any such
course necessary. Should the winter prove
sufficiently severe, it is entirely in line
with all former experience that the pres
ent limit of extortion VIII be raised
much higher and that coal consumers
will be compelled to pay a direct tax to
these pmndering conspirators alongsid
OF which all public md private burdens
are likely to prove relatively light.
There will be no Minnesota state legis-
lature to cry out about it this winter. The
states III which these bandits produce
their coal cannot be looked to for relief
Congress- viii not concern i;solf. even r
it be in its power to protect the people.
Ti-ere IS, i'll wor l, no remedy whatt., e.
f1r the people except 30 use as little co i.
as they can get along witt. Wood is tie
only effective substitute, and it becomes
public AMI private daty "n the part