The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-18
THE PRESS CONVENTION
Its Last Day at Carolina
Beach.
ITS WORK COMPLETED

Adopted BoycOttfng Trust Manufac-
lures Used In the Newspaper Busfs
ness-Are Newspapers Profitable In
North Caroiina-Other Matters of the
Profession observation-disclosures Elect
ed for the Next Year.
In accordance with adjournment on
Wednesday evening the North Carolina
Press Association met at $3.50 O'Clock
yesterday morning at Sedgeley Hall
Club house, on Carolina beach.
The convention was called to order
by President w. c. Dowd, Of The Char
lotte News, with the efficient secretary
Editor ]. b. Sheriff., of The Concord
Times, at his post.
The president stated that at a con-
sultation that it was agreed to finish
the business at the morning session,
so he hoped those who had papers to
read or remark ITO make would re-
spond promptly, but not necessarily
briefly. 1t was not desired that any
thing of Importance should be passed
over.
Editor H.. A. London, of The Pitts
boro Record, on behalf of the execu-
tive committee, reported faVoraDly
upon applications for membership from
E.. A. Poe, of The Raleigh Progressive
Farmer; L. A. Bethume, of The Clin-
ton Democrat; James w. Jackson, OF
The Messenger; Inc j.. G. Boylin, OF
The Wadesboro Observation-Disclosures
Ger.
Mr.. E. F. Lamb, proprietor of The
Elizabeth City Economist, said he had
hoped to nave the convention TO hold
this meeting at Mays Head, and he
would yet hope to have the convention
there some day. He then read a letter
from Editor Greasy, of The Econo-
mist, heartily greeting the association
and expressing his best wishes for the
a~ssociation's continued usefulness. The
reading of the greeting created ap-
plause, and on motion Of Editor Lon
don. the association ordered the greet
ing spread upon the minutes ana a
resolution was adopted expressing
thanks to the veteran editor for his
kind and thoughtful greetins.
NEWSPAPERS AND TRUSTS.
The president then called for the pro-
gramme set for the day. The first num-
Der was an essay on the SuDJect,
Newspapers and Trusts by Edltor
Josephus Daniels, of n Halelgh
News and Observer. Mr.. Daniels was
not in attendance, so his alternate, Ed
itor H. A. London, was called upon by
the chairman.
MIR. London stated that it was ex-
pected that Mr.. Daniels would be mere
and speak on this very important sub
ject, but coul not come. He said that
as Mr.. Daniels alternate he had pre-
pared no assay, but would make some
observations on the subject in a gen.
eral way. He declared that it was a
question of such gigantic proportions
and intense interest that he could not
do Justice to the subject, himself or
the association in the cursory manner
4 in which he would handle the subject.
All sections and all parties agree that
the trusts are a menace to the
all all denounce trusts and the news
papers cry out against them, but all
to no purpose as the trusts continue
to multiply. 1t is the most serious sub
ject to be cussed n discussed. he
said that while we should denounce
trusts, we must not confound corpor-
ations with trusts, but we must be dis
corning and discriminating as to cor
porations. Corporations have been a
great benefit to the country. We would
never have built a railroad If 1t had
not been for corporations, and never
have consummated a great many en-
terprises, but trusts proper deserve the
abuse they receive. The more cOrpor-
ations we have the less danger there
will be from trusts. A trust, he said,
was the of smaller corpora
tons into gigantic corporation, or
many corporations cooperating togeth-
er to crush out competition or force
up prices. He cited a very interest
S-~ a~1 a0ro n 0rciyn a rfiNla on this
subject which appeared in The Review
OF Reviews. The growth and immence
proportion which trusts are assuming
is startling. The trusts of this coun-
try nov nave a capitalization OF $5,OOO,-
600, 600, and they are forming continu-
ally. Where will they stop? He re-
marked hat the consolidation and
combination of corporations in many
instances are a great benefit. AS an in
stance he cited the consolidation
and combination of railroads into great
systems, cheapening transportation,
and increasing the facilities and con
venience of travelling. He said, howev-
er, we don't want all the railroads to
combine. We must ave sufficient sep
arate railroads to give us competition,
but it was better for us to have three
or four railroads than to have fifty. He
cited the Standard Oil Company as the
first trust of this country, and stated
IndC 1t was argued Dy SOI1e III IdNOI "
trusts that they cheaper products; that
combinations do away with the neces-
sity for so many officers and reduce ex-
enses so as to cheaper production. He
said while it is claimed that a trust
might give us cheaper production, 1T
might be that Oil might have been still
cheaper with competition. The Have
meyer Sugar trust he cited as an in
stance where prices had been advanc-
ed. Sugar a not been reduced in
price, out it has been kept UP. He
asked the members Of the association
to discriminate in denouncing corpor-
atoms and trusts. Our arguments must
be sustained upon justice and the facts.
In discussing this question it was hard
to do so without bringing in politics,
which is contrary to the constitution
of the association. Some attribute the
cause Of trusts to the high protective
tariff, but we are not here to take that
ground. Others attribute the growth
of trusts to the gold standard for
money. We must inform ourselves,
however, as to the best means Tor
graduating the trusts. They should be
and must be crushed. Trusts are a