The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-18
HOW TO DESTROY TRUSTS SEARCHING
QUESTIONS.

The trusts can be destroyed. 1t only
needs that the law officers of the State
and Federal governments determine to
wage earnest warfare against them.
That is all that is required.
In the cases brought in the Federal
courts under the Sherman law, il was
held that the trusts were creatures OF
the States and it was substantially held
Ihat they could be reached only by State
faction. though jurisdiction was claimed
on trusts when doing an Interstate bust
Eess.
If twenty States will enact stringent
legislation and elect attorneys who will
enforce the law. the trusts will certainly
he driven out. provided the Attorney Gen
cral CT The United States will he ready
to vigorously prosecute all which violate
the Sherman law.
Governor Sayers, of Texas. has done
wise thing to call a convention in Chi
cago. September 13th-16th. to discuss
the best method of proceeding against
the trusts. In order to have reliable
data. the general committee of arrange
ments has sent out letters to each of
the $50 trusts and combinations, asking
&c questions. such as the number of or
the number yet outside, total original
capital of the various concerns now
merged. the present capital employedaby
The combination. the effect on prices of
products, and the effect on labor as to
displacement and rate OF wages.
OF the labor unions in the crafts en-
are asked as TO the effect on wages,
hours of work and the number thrown
cut Of employment by the organization
OF the trusts.
The questions addressed to the 800
national and local travelling mems or
CARNATIONS throughout the country are
as follows:
Il. How many commercial travellers
in your immediate vicinity have lost
their positions owing to trust combina-
lions?
- How many of those discharged
Ieiong to your local organization!
-. What effect have these combina-
tions had regarding the salaries of com
mereial travellers retained III their em-
ploy!
Estimate the number of commercial
travellers residing in your locality!
-. What is yonr opinion Of trusts and
industrial combinations and what is the
general sentiment expressed regarding
them:'
The committee hopes the employment
If this system will be that each set Of re-
plies may operate as a check upon the
others. so that the final result will be
al unquestipnably accurate lot Of data
on the essential points at issue in the
trust problem-materia which will pro-
vide basis for argument in the confer
eence.
The six questions addressed to the
wholesale dealers are rs follows:
which you deal manufactured by a trust
or combination?
-. If any. please state what?
IS. TO what extent are you able to
buy these goods from sources outside of
the combination!
Il. What has been the course of
prices since the combination on the
goods you sell? Please give rs full
statistics Of prices before and after COM
bination as you can, to support your
statement.
-. TO what extent do you ascribe the
changes which have occurred to the fact
Of combination and to what extent are
they due 10 other causes? Give any
figure that you can of increase and de-
crease in supply and demand in support
OF your views.
IS. What is your opinion of the gen
eral effect Of the combinations in your
line on tA.) the trade-the distributor
and OBJ the pnblc-the consumer!
Quite number Of the Governors have
sigiIiiied their intention of being present.
In most of the States the Governors
have named able men as delegates and
the conference bids fair to be great
gathering.
The news is sent out from Washington
that .'the new regiments are to be Off
cered with the best men," And imme-
diateIy the henchmen Of Republican Sen
ator. apo tnaoal | at'c bayn dnna wit h