Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1899-12-07
QUESTION OF TRUSTS.
Combinations Which Suppress Con-
petition Menace Puhlic Mc!f.,r.


petition Menace Public Wc!iarc.
Combinations of capital organized
into trusts to control the conditions of
trade among our citizens. tn stita
competition. limit production and de
terminc the prices OF products used
and consumed by the people, are just
~ provoking public discussion, and
should early claim the attention oil
the congress.
The industrial commission, created
by the act of the congress OF June Is
1898, has been engaged in extended
hearings upon the disputed questions
involved i'm The subject OF combinations
i'm restraint Of trade and competitions
They have not yet completed their in
vostigation of this subject. and the
conclusions and recommendation at
which they may arrive are nndeter-
mined.
The subject is one giving rise to
many divergent views as to the nature
and variety. or cause and extent, of
ne injuries to the public which may
result from large combinations con-
centrating more or less numerous en-
terpriscs and establishments. which
previously to the formation of the
combination We're carried on sepur-
ately.
II is universally conceded that com
binations which engross or control
the market of any particular kind of
merchandise or commodity necessary
to the general commanity, by sup
pressing natural ind ordinary com
petition. whereby prices are unduly
am IL TO- Al
obnoxious not only to the common
law. but also to the public welfare.
There must be a remedy for the evils
involved in such organizations. If
the present law can be extended more
certainly to control or check these
monopolies or trusts, ii should be done
without delay. Whatever power the
congress possesses over this most inn
p"rtant subject should be promptly
ascertained and asserted.
tni'or:n State Log Station Needed
The state legislation TO which Pres
ident Cleveland looked for relief from
the evils of trusts has failed to accom-
push fully that object. This is prob
ahlN due to great extent to the fact
mat different states take different
views as to the proper Nay to diScrim-
mate between evil and injurious conn
binaiions and those associations which
are beneficial and necessary to the
business prosperity OF the country.
The great diversity of treatment in
! different states arising from this cause
and the intimate relations of all parts
oil the country to each other without
regarding state lines i'm the conduct
OF business have made the enforce
ment of state laws difficult.
IT is apparent that uniformity of
legislation upon this subject in the
several states is much to be desired. 1t
is to be hoped that such uniformity
founded in a wise and just dscrimina-
lion between what is injurious and
what is useful and necessary in bust
ness operations may be obtained and
that means may be- found for the CON
gress within the limitations OF its CON
stitGtional power so to supplement an
effective code of state legislation as
to make complete system of laws
throughout the United Stats adequate
to compel a general observance of the
salutary rules to which have re-
ferred
The whole question is so important
and far reaching that ! am sure no
part OF it will b. lightly considered,
but every phase of it will have the
studied deliberation of the congress,
resulting in wise and iudicons action.