The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-23
TRUSTS ARE DENOUNCED
National Grange Demands Pro-
lection for the People,,
A MISUSE OF. POWER
Control of the sourcs of Supply Inim,cal
to the Public Good-Fsir Play De-
manded-Gre Is an Ele-
ment OF Danger.

Springfield, Ohio. Nov. 22--The Ma
tional Grange, which had been in SEES
sion In this city during the past week,
will adjourn sine die tomorrow.
Important in to-day's proceedings
was the report of the committee on
trusts, which was adopted. The trust
committees report was as follows:
THE National Grange express their
approval of the address of our worthy
master, Aaron Jones, regarding the
trusts. and demand the enactment by
congress of such laws as will protect
the people against all combinations of
men and capital inimical to public
policy.
We are not opposed to associations
of interests which merely lessen the
cost of production, but we are decidedly
opposed to the misuse OF the power
which large combinations of capital
give for the purpose of destroying COM
petition. controlling production and
arbitrarily debating prices of COM
modities. We are opposed to all corpo-
fations or trusts which control the
source of supply, and, like the Standard
Oil company, reach out their arms and
embrace all competition. Special favors
are granted them by railroads, thus en-
aiding them to undersell and force to
the wall the smaller dealers who might
otherwise compete with them. We en-
courage the investment of capital in
every branch of legitimate industry
and demand fair play. The expansion
of our territory and commerce tends to
increase the number of capitalized as
sociations. The greed and selfishness
which too often actuate men has be-
come an element of danger and must be
controlled 1t must be made impossible
for so-called trusts to accumulate mil
lions by selling watered stock without
adding to the wealth of the coun-
try.
Therefore. we recommend.
"FIrst-Ohicial inspection of all cor
porations, as in the case of national
banks. No corporation should be toll
Grated whose books cannot bear inspec-
ton.
Standardization of all rebates
or discrimination by public carriers.
''Thtrd-Taxation of all capital stock.
''Fourth-All capital stock should oe
paid up in full.
''Fifth--Severe penalties for violation
of law, (a) by forfeiture of charter,
| fine and Imprisonment; (b) by impeach-
ment. fine and Imprisonment of all pub
lie officials whose duty it may be to en-
force the law and who fail to perform
that duty.
'Suggestions--We would advise many
petitions to congress to pass remedial
| legislation along the lines above sug-
gested.
I'VE ask the members of our body to
secure state legislation not in conflict
| with national laws, but suited to the
| peculiar requirements of their respect
| i've states. One of the greatest evil
| dences Of trusts is their power to con-
| troll elections and corrupt officials. This
! can be remedied by educating the peo-
| pie. Meanwhile, we must control by
| the strong arm OF authority.
| Whenever monopolies are based
| upon the acquisition of nearly the en-
| tire supply of natural treasures of any
sort and upon exclusive ownership of
raw material of any kind, government
ownership of the course of supply is
called for The National Grange and
Patrons of Husbandry pledge it's best
| efforts for the suppression of such dan
gerous associations and we invite the
earnest cooperation of every liberty
/ loving, self-respecting citizen of the re-
| public"
The Grange also adopted the follow
| ing resolution:
THAT we most heartily desire the
upholding of our merchant marine, but
we are alphabetically opposed to the
| principle of subsidy and believe the de-
| sired results can and will be accom-
| plshed without resorting thereto"