West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-11-08
SOME FACTS ABOUT TRUSTS.

La interviews had with prominent retail
merchants on the subject of the Trusts aud
the war tax much inside information has
been gained as TO methods of Trust restraint
upon competitive commerce, and the effect
OF its war tax upon consumers.
With reference to Trusts, the Standard
Oil Trust is the largest. NEST powerful and
most unscrupulous. Its methods of re-
straining competition in trade are various
and Tar reaching. II has practical control
OF shipping rates through secret agreements
as to rebates with the railroads, whereby
rebate IS given on every shipment which
makes 4, impossible for the small producer
and re6ner to market his goods. 1t resorts
to every means to drive small refiners out of
business. II has been known To seek in
functions against the use of certain trans
portation facilities. and failing in The at.
tempt, 1t has solicited signatures to peti.
ton declaring the refinery public nuisance.
II has raised the prices of oil az cents per
gallon 1915 per bbl.l within the last year.
Its defense is, like that put forward by the
need be deprived of its use The argument
OF the people is that if, with oil selling At
the present price and even lower, Mr.. Rock.
afeller has been able to amass fortune of
FIVE hundred millions, the trust might have
sold OIL at much lower price and still have
earned vast sums of money. In other
words, no matter how low the price is. il
might be greatly less with profits pas, all
reasonable expectations, 10 the Trust.
rHE SUGAR TRUST.
Second in strength is the Sugar Trust.
In answer TO the question of whether sugar
was selling to-day at higher price than i,
did ten years ago, ago, large retail mer-
chant said that it was sold now for less.
although the price has been raised recently,
and is now ~ per pound higher than il
was two years ago. The retailer proceeded:
"The Sugar Trust has many methods of
coercion. For instance, n merchant whose
business will average say $500. 900 per wear
cannot buy direct from the Trust, but may
purchase from the jobbers in his section.
The Trust first commenced to selling TO
merchants of the above class nothing less
than ten barrel lots. This was raised to as
barrels; then To so and now 100 barrels.
Then came the notice that purchases would
have to be made from the iobber. II
merchant asks for quotation from a iobber
IN another city on 100 barrel lot, he is in.
formed he must pay whatever price is
asked by his own iobber, and must pay the
freight on the shipment. Thus he is forced
to deal with one of certain jobbers and buy
at price fixed by the Trust. If il is found
that two merchants are dividing lot, both
are notified that their orders will not be
filled in the future. Much hardship is thus
forced on retailers who must have sugar
but many of whom have not facilities for
storing it in such quantities.
'The trust absolutely and arbitrarily con.
trolls the price of its product, ars "a, 800.
Der is compelled to sell for that price or be
refused dealing with the Trust"
When asked, show about beet.supar ?"
the retailer said, al do not handle it at all,
but the beet-sugar industry is commonly
supposed TO be controlled entirely by the
Sugar Trust II has been pretty well
shown 10y testimony before Congressional
Committees and Commissions that the sup
position is well based. Inciden,ly, the
merchant stated that Arbucl;lc was supposed
either to be in the Trust at present or soon
would be.