The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-01-04
\. F. 4. AND /. D. DEPT.
The Tendency Of Trusts.

nc A~A0CACy Va AEQD10s
My attention Is called to an article in
the Farmers Tribune by Mr.. F. w. Still
will, upon the subject Of Corporations and
the Public" which Is well directed and
ably put. In reference to corporate powers
and individual rights. Their correspondent
says: 1T has been the custom in the past
to seek to establish a system of lava
protecting every man in his rights as citi-
zen, and yet in no way restricting him in
the pursuit Of trade with his fellow men,"
1t has been believed" he says, that there
should be free and unrestricted competition
between men and that the duty of govern
ment ended If it granted as much as that"
EORhg somewhat familiar with the course
of your journal in the past am sure that
what am about to say will be in harmony
with your views upon the subject in hand.
There are at the present time many as
five different farmers organizations, or
fragments of what is left of them at least,
which were founded for the purpose Of car
rying out the sentiments expressed in the
correspondent article named above. I do
not mean to say that questions of political
economy were the only ones to be consid-
cred by the Farmers Alliance Grange and
other orders, for the reason that the social,
intellectual and moral opportunities fur
nished by organization are no less impor-
tant than the question of financial gain.
That much has been accomplished in the
past on the lines indicated, no one can
deny, yet much more might have been done
and remains to be accomplished than have
yet Deen obtained by the producers of this
country. Whether an awakening can be
brought about very soon among farmers for
the strengthening of their orders. is not
certain. There should be. however II a
Moses could be found sufficiently conspcu-
Gus In popularity to lead them to victory.
Why write you at the present moment IS
a Of ttnv1t hayv t1tr ll<a6
by the city press to a two days session
of the National Grain Buyers Association,
which has just closed in this city. What the
general tenor of ,neir discussions were I do
not know, but a resolution was passed
curing all members of the national associa-
ti2;! to notify it's secretary when any COM
mission men or receiving houses for farm
products should be found accepting cOnsign-
ments from farmers in view of enforcing the
penalty for same upon any such violation
of the rules Of that order by its members.
1t Is doubtless true that every grain grow
ing state in the union having reasonable
surplus of farm products for export. have
their grain dealers associations, which be-
come members and form the national asso-
citation of grain dealers OF course, all ia
miliar with such combinations or trusts,
recognize as we must the influence of such
organizations with railroads and other COR
porations to secure services which the in
dividual, though he may be the pro lucer
of the wealth Of the country, is not able to
obtain.
combining to be used against producers is
in the rumor that the railroad companies are
besought by the grain dealers to grant
them a two-cent rate per 100 for loading
cars from elevators, which the scoop shovel
men, known as the producers themselves,
cannot be permitted to enjoy. In addition
to this partially toward the elevator :nen,
the grain dealer is permitted to have site
for his house, which the farmer is denied,
even to the extent of side track upon
which to load his cars if ordered for the
purpose of doing his own shipping. All
know what these combinations and move
mentS on the part of capital means, V hich
is making margins larger and much greater
in many cases than are necessary to pay 4
reasonable profit for the handling OF
farmers products, if he consents to sell
them at home. In fact, he is in no position,
under the circumstances, to find any other
market and is thus handicapped by the cor
porations and the Grain Dealers Association
and is compelled to accept any price which
may be offered.
l am somewhat familiar with at least two
grain dealers official organs, published in
this city. familiar piece of advice given
by these journals to the grain buyers is
mot give it all to the farmers, but make
margins good
AS an Illustration of an effort made by
farmers to head off these monOpolies, some
of the Illinois oranges and enterprising in
dividual farmers persuaded the Chicago
firm Of H. II. Carr & Co. to take the risk
of placing it's facilities for handling farm
products at their service which it consented
to do and has for six or seven years re-
manned steadfast though boycotted by all
the grain dealers of the country, for rea-
sons set forth above. 1t has doubtless been
a hard fight by the house to maintain it's
existence for the reason Of the many pow
erful influences which are set up against
the farmer commission house, and the pro-
ducers who desire to support it. The prin-
cipal interference after the desertion of all
grain dealers from it's support is the dis
position to frighten farmers as to the dam
ger of consgning their products to some
distant point and Of bidding up when the
products are loaded sufficient to induce the
farmers to sell out at home.
The grain dealers naturally conclude that
by making a temporary sacrifice by paying
more than the products are worth and
thus starving out the Chicago house, they
will thereafter be free to pay the producers
what they please when competition is out
of sight. Whether there is any hope for
the liberation and freedom of tn producers
from these powerful trusts without more
complete OrganiZa ton, l am at a loss to
know. l would like to see the farmers bet
ter organized, for by sOldly standing to-
gether they can cope with any of The
powers of earth in matters Of financial en-
terprse or in any question of trade and
political economy laws, which should be re-
constructed on basis more liberal to in
dividual rights, as they relate to farmers
especially.
MILTON GEORGE.
Chicago, ILL.,. Nov. g. $685.