The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-28

that they have no further use for their
services; never stopping to think what
that order means to the men and the
women who receive 1t.
Some of US here tonight have received
just such an order. I myself have felt
this, and know whereof l speak
Now, gentlemen, We are met here to-
night to take some action, to take some
1nitatory step towards heading off. as
tar as may be, some of the effects of
this gigantic evil which is threatening
the business of this country, and the en-
ployment of many thousands of CONNER
cial traVerers. L could cite you many
acts of some of the trusts, but will mere
ly mention the recent action taken by
the meat trust in reference to the pro-
test which is made by the retail butchers
of the city of New York against some
OF the arbitrary and unbusinesslike meth
DDS of the great meat combine of Chi
cago. L will read paragraph which I
clipped from one of the papers of re-
cent date which will cover the ground
more thoroughly than I can and in fewer
words Along this line I cannot refrain
from speaking of the recent advance in
structural steel of S. per ton, made by
the steer trust, within the last few DAYS:
also OF the many heavy advances in the
prices OF lumber, glass and in fact. eyerv-
thing that is used in the building trades.
and, in fact. [ might say in every other
line of work and business in this coun-
try.
Now it seems 10 me shat the important
question for US to consider is: How do
the trusts affect our occupation or our
business as commercial travellers? If thew
affect our business to our detriment
what steps shall we take to protect our
selves and our occupations from the evil
effects Oh trusts and combines? This is
a matter that is very far-reaching. and
deserves your most careful and pains
taking consideration. There are MANY,
many things which l could call your at
tention to along these Zines, but l will
not detain you tonight with any extended
views OF mine, but am willing and salts
fed to leave the matter as to what Is the
proper thing for the travelling men of
the Northwest to do in reference to this
matter entirely to themselves, and that
means you.
Now there are some suggestions that
have been made by some of the travelling
men, to have the travelling men, when
calling on their trade. ask their Gus
toners to buy non-trust goods, when
prices and styles of goods are about the
same. l, myself, am inclined to think
that this would be one of the most ef
IectlVe methods for the travelling men
TO pursue and if carried out logically
annihilation of the trusts entirely and
completely. L could elaborate on tbiS
phase Of the question, but will mere
~ add along this line of thought that
If we can get the retail merchant
into that frame of mind where he
will say that 81 don't want it. because
1t is made by a trust" we have about
done all we can do in that direction. and
l. also want to call your attention TO
what 1 think is a very important matter
and VIII be of great assistance to us in
our work in the matter of fighting the
trusts, and that is to get the labor unions
70 cooperate with us, to the end that
{ they may influence the members of their
respective organizations to refuse to buy
any goods made by trust when thew
can buy just as good goods for the same
amount OF money that are not made or
controlled by a trust or combine This
idea might be carried out, ad infnitl,m
ana feel satisfied that if the attention
OF the labor unions were called to this
matter they would require very little
urging TO get into line with us and to
cooperate with US Now, gentlemen. the
matter is up to you. What is your pleas
ure?