The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-21
-
AN INTERESTED CRITIC.

The pugnacity. nav. the bullheaded, stupid.
" against machinery is In these latter days
eonnnen largely TO individuals who, irom
some unaceountable cause. hsvo been IL
trusted With legislative powers BY their too
connding fellow. citizens. = fair Illustrates
e u Is had IN the misguided attempt 10
,otee the IcAas legislature TO enact pro-
hloitory law against the latest Invention In
the textile Industry. the round bale press
baltimere manufacturers Record
This is either an ignorant or a wlllful
Misrepresentation OF the inspiring motive
and purpose back OF the "attompt" in
the Texas legislature referred to. The
editor OF the Manufacturers Record was
recently in Texas. with Mr.. John E.
searles. and he ought TO know, IL. indeed
he does not already know, that the PRO
posed action In the Legislature is not a
tight against machinery" but against a
possible and dangerous monopoly.
The methods and purposes OF the Amer
lean Cotton company OF which Mr. searles
is president. and in which, as a director in
another company that is 10 work In con
junction with the cotton company. the
editor Of the Manufacturers Record is at
least indirectly interested. look to the or
sanization and operation OF gigantic
cotton baling and cotton handling trust,
and 1t is this monopoly that the Texas
legislature would prevent so far. at least
as this State IS concerned.
There was time. a few years since
when the Manufacturers Record was pop
ular in the South. 1t was constantly quoted
ara made great progress and much money.
Then II began to dabble 10 political discus
sion and ran counter to the majority senti-
ment in the South in financial views. It's
prestige was noticeably impaired Now il
appears to be turning the reputation aud
m ney It has made to the use and promo.
ton OF the trusts. such as this American
Cotton company and the International
Trust company which the Record SAYS has
broad charter peculiarly adapted 10
some new lines OF business which this
company VIII control from the start"
1t appears that President Searles Of the
cotton company is also the largest stock
holder in the international Trust com
pany" and that The editor OF the Record
~ one Of the orgahlEefa OK the latter eou-
Germ In the prospectus pgiatea By tie
Record setting forth the sfrs-eth ana
Trust company much stress IL laa on
this connection OF Mr.. ssaries with The
two companies Says the Record:
nj, Jnhn searies. VINO will he the large i
single stockholder, Is president 81 tn Aineri-
ean Cotton company. which & now re foiu-
tsonhing the bsling and handling OF 90 ton
ny lis round nI1 system. ana his cbnreetios
WIS the intcrnetionni Trus, compaSg LII
brnE - u The fuhncial operations eonnaetss
wltn VIZ COTTON company Rn1 the aiil9 N.
tsrfstB Etieh through II ase "a 30 4 Vels'a3
thFonsbont the soath
After tbs exposition Of the copnsa-
tion o. the MANUFACTURING Raeara w,th
the trusts and particularly with tie pro,
posed monopoly in baiing aud handl.n
cotton the stupidity OF the criticism b,
that publication upon tho Texas iegsla
ture Is az once apparent. becaasa the mo
tire is 80 clearly disclosed. But even 4
criticism has selfish or psrscuslly In
terestcd coiorins. that Il no reason why /
should not BE- fair. Let The Record discu,
The question Of monrps>y with the iexIv
)stpre rather than Attempt e make In