The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-06-22
TRUSTS PUT UP PRICES.

AucCIluS VI lIuSI agents..
CHICAGO, June 5.-Farmers and retail
dealers in agricultural implements will
have to pay more for their plows harrows,
seeders and implements of kindred nature
in the future. At a meeting of the manu-
facturers of these implements of farm in
dustry, held here today, it was decided to
make general raise in the price of all
agricultural implements.
The Northwestern Pillow association ex-
tended an invitation to a gathering of
manufacturers of all kindred implements
for the purpose of discussing and fOrmulat
ing plans for regulating the prices of the
various implements. w. S. Thomas. of the
Thomas Manufacturing company, of Spring
field Ohio, presided over the meeting.
general advance in prices was advo-
Gated and committees were appointed to
prepare a schedule for the various kinds of
implements. These committees will make
out their price list during the summer
months and will report to a meeting to be
called next fall.
1t is thought general increase of from
Is to 25 per cent will be agreed upon by the
committees. Material from which farming
implements are manufactured has increas-
ed in value to corresponding amount.
AS a result of a recent meeting of manu-
facturers in Chicago the price Of agricul-
tural implements will be advanced, prob
ably Is per cent. Steel has advanced and.
a consequence, the manufacturers will
add to the price of the finished product. The
plan to form a pillow trust seems to have
fallen through, but the hackers of the COM
bination say that all interests will be har-
moniZed.
If the peoples brains will not think,
let their pockets suffer.
Farmers are already moved to action
in this matter. We find in the Joliet
Qll.) News of June the following:
The increase of trusts which control many
articles Of use and consumption by far
mers, has caused uneasiness in the coun-
try. Saturday the matter was brought up
at county grange meeting in Jackson,
and the county master, J. M Baker, ad-
Vocated a similar move among the farmers,
a trust for self preservation
The plan he suggested was that the
farmers combine and judfciously market
their products withholding it in quantity
when necessary to bring the price to the
right figure This statement was brought
forth in response to remarks by George W.
Elb, of Jackson grange. The latter said:
THE object the grange seeks to accom-
pish is the advancement of the farmer
which can only be accomplished through
organization, consolidation and cOncentra-
ton; organize into one body, consolidate
our interests and concentrate our efforts
The farming interests of this country have
the other great interests are advancing. This
is an age of concentration, visible to an
amazing extent in this country. Console
dation means power, and every time consol-
idation takes place there is increased pow
er. No individual can compete with con-
solidated forces, therefore the necessity of
organization is forced upon us. COnsoli
dalton has wiped out competition in al
most every line of activity except farm
ing. Each farmer is the others com
petitor, each trying to produce more than
the other; and until we consolidate and CO.
operate we are bound to be more and
more oppressed by those who are CONSOLE
dated
1.-The people that work the land consti
tute the people that the government has
to rely upon.
"They possess to greater degree than
any other element of the community the
spirit of patriotism. In times of war our
best armies come from the country. In
times of peace the government relies largely
upon the men who till the soil, and those
who toll more or less with their hands.
Yet today those classes are showed into the
rear, other interests are taking precedence
other interests shape legislation and shape
the destiny of this country. We are pursu-
ing our work while the other people are
looking after their interests, and the conse-
quences are they get their friends into posi-
lions Of power. In my opinion it makes
political parties are in power, for they have
their friends in both.
"Now unless the farming and producing
classes can get into position where they
can make their influence felt, we must ex-
peot legislation to be against us. The con-
struction of the laws will be against our
interests, therefore, to meet this concen-
tration we must organize, and the very
place to do that is in the Grange. No other
organization offers the farming community
the same opportunities to better their con-
dtions socially, morally and financially as
the Grange. Not only the men but for our
wives and mothers and our boys and girls
its gates are open, no matter what their
political or religious views may be-"
In responding to these remarks Mr.. Baker
said that combinations were not directed
against the farmer, but to attend to their
own business. He believed, however that
farmers must also combine for their bust
ness interest, but not prey upon others. He
said that with this accomplished they would
WELD a power which the big combinations
could not WELD, they could have legislation
that would at least not be hostile.
Baker referred to Eibs statement that
the trusts manipulate legislation all over
the land and said if the farmers could get
men in Office who were not representatives
of special interests the people everywhere
would be dealt fairly with.
He then referred to the recent combina-
ton of the implement makers and the in
crease in prices from Is to 25 per cent
There were so few of them that they could
fix prices, but the farmers seemed so scat
tered that they fail to work in harmony
If farmer sells a load of cattle he must
take what the Armours or the Swifts will
pay, there is SO little competition, but of
Il farmer wants to buy load of feeders"
he must pay the top price because he is
competing with his brother farmers in buy
ing.
The increase of prices is going to help
the union of farmers in this state; if
they will not come together in the
Farmers Alliance, let us see what can
be done with the Grain Growers Asso-
citation. To that eMd, be sure to see
that your locality is represented in the
July meeting. I'm union there is
strength" Let us form a trust to fight
the trusts. Id.