The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-24
ALGER DECLARES HIMSELF.
Says He Stands OH the Platform Pingree
Has Made for Him.

Chicago, June 23.-General R. A. AL
ger. secretary of war, announced here
to-day that he is in the Michigan sena-
torial fight with anti trust" and cleo
tion of senators by direct vote of the
people on hi5 banners.
The general is al present taking life
easy at the home of his daughter, Mrs
Charles Pike, after his trip in Northern
Michigan and Wisconsin. He gave his
platform on the heels of the announce
ment by Governor Pingree, who COM
mended the secretary of war.
1T is perhaps a little early to say
that trusts and trust legislation are to
be a great factor in the coming cleo
tion.' said General Alger. "Other is
sues of greater Importance may arise
but however that may be, it is certain
that the widespread spirit of consolida-
tion of financial interests is an evil
which must be cOntended against.
am foe to these great amalgama tions
and believe in the election of senators
by direct vote of the people. and as
Governor Pingree states, on those
planks l will stand.
The concentration of wealth in
trusts is detrimental to the interests of
the people. 1t squeezeS the small dealer
out of business and, greatest of all,
eliminates the mddleman and STILES
competition. With certain commodity
controlled by one man or coterie of
men. they are not compelled to seek
customers. The dealer must come to
the trust, take what he can get and pay
without a murmur the price asked.
everywhere manufacturers are
meeting to agree on increaS SeS in their
prices for articles made of raw material
and monopolzed by trust. This is
noticeable in articles in which iron and
steel are used. The results of monopoly
nd 40 wa GO t,-iRa
ly discussed that further comment is
not necessary. | am not an extremist,
but the growing tendency TO absorb
small industries into one big company
that others may be frozen out and a
monopoly secured is a matter for con-
sideration by legislatures on behalf If
the people who are vitally interested.
THE present system of electing sena-
tors through the agency of the legisla-
ture is one that always had its criti-
cism, and | believe the criticism is just.
The direct vote is the better method,
think and while the attainment of this
end will doubtless take years, it is
worth laboring for. A senatorial fight
in a state legislature generally sends to
congress a man who is more the repre-
sentative of a machine than of the peo-
pie.
The contest in Michigan for the
nomination will be a fair. standup
fight. Mr.. Mcmillan, aided, l believe,
by Burrows. will try for denomination.
Governor Pingree has shown himself
very friendly to me, especially since
the beginning of the war. 1t is too
early to make calculations on the
strength of the forces which will con-
tend. but there will not be two republi-
can candidates in the tield-nothing To
disrupt the party.
Besides talking of his senatorial cam
didacy. General Alger discussed the
Philippine situation and stated that on
his return to Washington he would rec
ommend to the president an increase
of the army now under General Otis.
Asked whether there was any intention
on the part of the administration to
send General Miles to Manila, he said
Not that | know of. The matter never
has been discussed, so far as l am
aware. General Otis is doing good
work. He is conservative, leVel-headed
and aggressive. His conduct of the waI
in the Philippines has been satisfactory
But there is no doubt he needs men
We intend to give them to him. / can
not say how many. After l return to
Washington and the president gets
hack | will make recommendations to
him, | am not prepared to say there
will be a call for volunteers. l do not