Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-03

the general falsehood the more insin-
/, uating. Where one of these combina-
tons lowers prices it is to accomplish
some purpose of its own and is not
done as benevolent duty to the con-
sumner. These combinations are form
ed for the opposite purpose and raise
prices because they have the power and
must do SO to pay the required divi-
dends on an enormous over capitaliza-
ton. All the individual concerns en-
tering into the trust are given pro rata
shares of stock in the general concern.
Hence there are just as many stock
holders as ever demanding increased
dividends, and only the one general
concern to yield them. And when the
rapacity of the stockholders is satisfied,
despite the immensely lessened cost of
production, it is usually found that
no hing is left over for the poor con-
sumner. On the contrary, it is usually
found that the profits have been so
diluted with water that the screws
must be put to the consumer to give
them the required strength. 1t is an
old saying that corporations are soul
less, and it would seem to be literally
true, so far as the manifestation by
them of any regard for the consumer
or his rights is concerned.
The most distressing feature of the
trust evil, however, is the wholesale
ousting of poor workingmen from en-
ployment the means of earning live
lihood, which is always the first step
taken in carrying out the trust prln-
ciple. Wheeling has experienced
touch of this blight in it's glass indus
try, and it is only because of the ex-
cellent industrial facilities of this city
that we have not suffered to a very
much more serious extent in the past,
while the future-well, we can only
hope that our mills and factories in
the various lines of industry involved
may prove the lucky ones and escape
the fatal orders to close up. 1t is SIM
ply lottery, with the chances always
favoring the best located establish
ments.
What is the remedy for the blighting
evil of the trust? The antitrust laws
seeming of no avail, there is yet one
remedy that may be effective. Let
Congress declare absolute free trade in
every product controlled by trust in
this country. AS the trusts were bred
by the protective" tariff-which is now
used simply to protect the trusts from
foreign competition and to enable them
to plumber the American consumer-so
may the bulk of them be destroyed by
taking away this shield which covers
their operations in this country. There
is scarcely one of the trusts that does
not export it's products selling them in
foreign lands, after paying the freight
and foreign tariffs, cheaper than they
are sold right at home to American
consumers, the price abroad sometimes
being but one-fourth that charged
American consumers in the American
market, which is protected They
are compelled to do this in foreign mar
kets to meet foreign competition. But
they do it at profit or they would not
do it at all. Why not, therefore, let
down the bars and give the American
consumer in the home market chance
to secure the products of his own coun-
try as cheaply as the foreigner in for
eign markets secures them?
1t would be but the barest justice to
the American consumer. 1t would
break the monopoly of the trusts and
give legitimate American industry,
which outclasses the world, a chance
once more.
The fact remains that Congress, and
the State Legislatures may pass anti
trust laws until they are tired. The
trusts will either see to it that the
laws are emasculated before passage or
that the wheels of justice are blocked
in the courts. These monopolies fear
nothing but competition. Let down
the tariff bars behind which they rob
the American consumer and the bulk
of the trusts will be brought to book.