The Afro-American advance., 1899-09-16
TOTALK OF TRUSTS.
The Big Conference Is Formally
Opened in Chicago
MANY STATES ARE REPRESENTED.
Delegates Come Prepared 10 Discuss
Combinations from All Points of
VIew-WiIIiam Writ Howe,
of Texas, Chairman.


employers and employees, the confer
ence on the use aud abuse of trusts and
combinations was opened at Central
Music hall Wednesday by President
Franklin Head, of the civic federation.
shortly after 1o:3o o'clock. Attorney
General +. c. Akin made the address
of welcome on behalf of Gov. Tanner.
DIR. Taylor welcomed the delegates
to Chicago on behalf of Mayor Harri-
son.
Among those present were w, Bourke
Cochran, of New York: Albert Shaw,
editor of the Review of Reviews; Prof.
II. T. Ely, University of Wisconsin,; At
torney General Smyth. of Nebraska.
William Jennings Bryan was absent,
but it is believed he will appear later.
started in Disorder.
An attempt to round the somewhat
shapeless mass of delegates into work
ing form resulted in considerable dis
order. 1t was finally resolved that the
Civic federation. through it's chairman,
should conduct the meeting Wednesday,
and that a committee on programme be
named, consisting of one man from
each state delegation and one from
each organization national in its scope.
The Labor organizations did not secure
recognition as entitled to committee
men until vigorous speeches had been
made by August Cans and John w.
Hayes, Knights of Labor delegates.
Hayes created something of a sensation
by declaring in language as seornful as
it was vigorous that he didn't intend to
be classed with the New Jersey delega-
tion, even IL he did vote in that Cradle
of Trusts"
The Addresses HeRin.
Prof jeremiah w. jerks. of Cornell
university, representing also the
United States Industrial commission,
which is investigating the trust prob
lem for the purpose Of preparing II
report for congress, presented to the
delegates the problems arising out of
industrial combinations which ii Is the
purpose OF the conference TO study.
He spoke briefly aud did not attempt
to discuss the problems as he present
ed them, being content with outlining
and explaining them.
N0uSeu Dy IcNRu.
The afternoon session opened with a
paper 10y Prof. II. {. Adams, University
of Michigan, on the same subject as
that of Prof. jerks. The address was
received attcntively. but IL remained
for Dudley Wooten OF the Texas dele
cation, TO stir up the enthusiasm of the
camp meeting variety. He was fire.
quently interrupted by cheering. lie
said in part;
Accepting IN good faith that amendment
which heroic legions OF the south resisted
unto death on a thousand battlefelds. we
believe that neither slavery nor inyolun-
tary servltude, except as punishment for
crime. shall exist within the United States
or any place subject to their Jurisdiction.
And we confidently assert that the com
mercial and Industrial bondage which is
being rapidly imposed upon the toll and
talents Of 7o000,G0 American citizens by the
syndicated wealth OF a few great corpo-
rate mon0polies Is more dire and dangerous
than the slavery which bowed the heads
and burdened the backs OF l.0000d0 south-
ern black men. And above and hHyond
these great written guarantees Of equality
and justice we look to the lessons Of his
tory and appeal 20 the authority Of ex-
pereuce. When we are told that the spirit
of commercial combination promises gold
en- feHAiQs 10 tHe present tendencies OF our
economic system, we remember that no re-
public has ever survived the merceHary
despotism OF merchants and money
changers"
The speaker aroused the widest en-
thusiasm in the ranks Of labor repre-
sentatiyes and delegations from many
western and southern states, while the
generally smiled critically
and made no demonstration
Prof. John Graham Brooks, Of Cam
bridge, Mass. and William Fortune.
president of the Indiana state board Of
commerce, also spoke.
Howe for President.
The committee on permanent organi-
zation met after the afternoon ad lourn-
ment Of conference. h.....an Wirt
Howe was selected chairman Of the
meeting, and. after a hot discussion.
was elected permanent chairman Of the
though three vice chairmen
each 10 preside during one day. were
selected az follows: Thursday. Dudley
Wooten, of Texas. Friday. Mayor II. II.
johnson. Of Colorado: Saturday. =. +.
Coriiss. Of New York. Ralph 81 Easley.
Of Chicago. was selected az permanent;
secretary
The Omcer-.
Gov. Atkinson spoke at the opeulne
Of the evening SESSION. after which on
Rresslr.ail John " Gaines. Of Ieunessse.
presented the report Of the committee
on organization and programme aa fo..
lovss:
Permanent offcetz Chairman. Wf.lisef.
y n Howe. f.0ulsiaEa first vice gvss aesf
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