Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-16

| no candidate for public office ~ en-
titled to the suffrage Of his fellow citi-
zens who does not earnestly declare ms
| hostility to all combinations. In re-
| hostility to ali combinations in restraint
| Of trade or the further granting Of any
special privileges and openly avow his
plrpose TO favor such legislation as
will suppress them.
Fifth-That It is the duty Of the people
by ORGANIZED effort to secure the nomina
lions by the political parties Of the oppo-
nents of the trusts and who have the in
tcgrity. courage and ability TO defend the
rights of the people against impending In
dustral slavery.
Sixth-That the growth Of private in
dustr.al corporations under the genera
la VS. Of the several states and the advan
tages given to such artificial associations
by such laws. threaten extinction OF all
natural persons as competitors with them
in every line OF business We therefore
recommend that the several states taxi
Immediate action TO limit the purposes
for which such corporations may pe
formed and discourage their further for
nation by the addition Of such measures
as their wisdom may advise.
NJ. NJ Garland. billed to speak on An
Iron and Steel Workers Views OF Com
binations." and +. f. Clark. grand chief
OF the order Of Railway Conductors, were
not present when Chairman Howe called
their names. and John w. Hays. secre-
taTy Of the knights OF Labor, was called.
He said:
II maintain that these great cOmbina
lions are an assault upon the inherent
and constitutional rights Of the citizens.
that the real and vital advantage - be
gained Is the despotic control over labor.
Violence is not the only means or making
conqucsts and cnslavng the people. and
il can be proved beyond any question
that the methods Of the trusts are the
methods OF the invader and the ends u
be accomplished by the instigators II the
trusts are exactly those intended 10 b.
accomplished bv arms directed by mill
tary genius. Taking this view Of the
trusts. assert that they are the enemies
OF society and as such should he de
stroyed.
Samuel Gompers. president OF the
American Federation OF Labor. followed
Secretary Hayes lie denies that organ
lied labor was trust and continued:
The only practical use Of the antitrust
and interstate commerce laws has been
10 take from US the right Of trial by jury
and TO imprison workmen for conspiracy.
az believe that instead Of trusts and
combinations Of capital opposing and an
tagonlzing the labor movement. they
should take a more comprehensive view
Of the situation and try 10 make better
friends OF the organized wage earners
than they have in the past.
In the midst Of greater concentrations
OF wealth and the vast development OF in
Gustry. IL behOoves the workers to more
ceaselessly than ever devote their ener
gies 70 organize labor and counteract the
effect which otherwise their helpless ana
unprotected condition would have upon
them.
Organized and alert the workers can
not fail to tighten WORK, shorten hours |
ANA Iengthcn life by constant and per
sistent effort and make ne world better |
for our having lived in il.
Mr. Gompers was Loudly applauded. The |
conference then recessed until 3 o'clock |
John 3. Clark of New York, spoke. |
followed by NJ. l.. Lockwood president |
Of the American Antitrust League, |
who said: This precious weapon (the |
BALLOT is in your hands. 1t cost oceans |
of blood to ring it from the kings and |
emperors and the aristocrats of the |
old world. Uuse this weapon earnestly |
and prayerfully-this weapon before |
which Legislatures, congressman SEN
aiors, Presidents and judges are but
as chaff in the whirlwind. Organize
the American Antitrust League. stand
shoulder to shoulder with all sons of
toll
Mr.. keasby. who spoke during the
afternoon, gave figures on the number
of trusts which called New Jersey
their home.
Prof. +. w. Bemis of the New York
Bureau of Economic Research. follow
ed. In the course of his speech Prof |
Bemis said: Most ominus of all dan
gers IS the danger to political purity
and personal liberty. Whether we like
It (or net we are determined TO see Wig
orpus effort before law making bodies
-oiregulate city monopoly of light. heat
aid transportation. The latter effort
has thus far had its effect in raising
The prices Of aldermen and legislators.
I Laughter and applausel. 1t is to be
feared that this and other malodorous
events in the United States Senate are
bat forecast Of what awaits us on
any serious attempt to regular
tEusts.'
NJ. NJ. Garland. ex-president Of the
.Nmalgamated Association of Iron and
Steel Workers, said in part: THAT
MS new form of trust will bring vol
unfairly any new virtues to the bust
ness world is doubtful. They are or
ganized for the purpose of making
money and will certainly operate to
that end. but they have awakened moro
watchers in the interests Of
the great mass of common people and
In this country the majority of the
of the people cannot be long
rampled upon
Other speakers during the day were ,
Edward keasley of New Jersey. and
David Ross. :