The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-04-18
Church and Trade Combinations.

The Baltimore Herald calls attention
to the report of the committee on home
missions of the Presbytery of Maryland
recommending that weak churches COM
bine, and thus become self-supporting, as
a recognition of the business principle
which underlies the great trade comhi-
nations ordinarily called trusts. There IS,
Of course, no intention Of creating q
monopoly in religion or of restricting the
use of the means of grace, but because
it is difficult to raise money for the sup
port Of 4 number of feeble churenes N
the same field the committee suggests
combination or consolidation. In other
denominations. and in various parts of
the country. the same course has been or
is being pursued. 1t displaces a few
preachers, but ii gives an assurance of
decent support to those who are retained.
just as consolidation in business throws
ont some employees, but affords more
steady employment, and in many in
stances better pay, to those who remain.
The idea of consolidation for mutual
benefit, 10 gain that strength which re-
sides in union, is so old that its origin is
scarcely discernible in the dim dawn OF
history. II was very aged before our
foTefathers adopted it in the Revolution
airy era by confederating the thirteen
colonies or States. That consolidation
served its purpose in making the final
-. Il
too weak. the States were bound TO-
gerher by too fragile a tie. and the au-
thority of the Congress, the central
power. was indefinite. Therefore the
more perfect uniOn"-the consolidation,
combination, trust, and monopoly-was
| organized. Within its sphere of delegated
power the new central government abso-
/ lutely shut out rivalry or competition.
When Aaron Burr was suspected OF an
| intention TO start competition he was
tried for treason. When some of the
States seeded and established a compel.
/ ing republic the monopoly INDICATED its
exclusive right by one Of the greatest
wars IN the worlds history
The Post has no sympathy with trusts
| that are organized for a raid on con-
sumers or 10 shear the lambs in stock
! speculatiOns. Whatever may be cousti-
\ tut!onally done 10 repress the Tendency
/ in these directions wherever manifested
! should be accomplished. legislation
/ State and national. and the courts OF
+ both Federal and State jurisdictions
should ses that the old commou-iaw con.
demnation of oppressive nonoD0lies i
| applied. But the Wild outcry against al
trusts and combinations is more Ike thu
/ rant OF cranks and demagogUss than III,
| output Of sober reason. There are con
solicitations In manufactures and railroad.
that are helpful 20 the people When I
/ dozen or more separate concerns In III.
same business are eating the life out o.
each other by cutthroat competition thcy
reduce wages 10 the minimum and offer
fail 10 meet their obligations TO the Dub
lie \ combination % these, even II price,
are advanced 10 q fair rate. so as TO war
rant good wages and 4 reasonable r.
turn on the investment. is beneficial [,
all concerned. Every trade union Is ,
combination 10 regulate the price OF Ia
Dor and thus TO control as far as possibl
the cost Of production. The order OF n,
knights Of Labor tried 10 make itself 81
all-powerfal trust The Federation O