Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-23
TWO DIVERGENT VIEWS.

In his truly amazing speech on TAX
ing the chair temporarily at the Phila-
delphia convention, Senator Wolcott
made this declarations:
There isn't an idle mill in the
country
Now 1t CHANGED that on the same
day that Mr.. Wolcott was sounding
the Keynote" of the coming campaign
in this speech. which had been read
and carefully edited by no less per-
sonage than the Hon. William McKin-
ley. there appeared in the Washington
Post the following interview:
The industrial situation in some of
the manufacturing cities of the Middle
Western States is decidedly gloomy"
said Mr.. j. V. Beal. of Akron, Ohio at
the metropolitan last evening. The
big trusts, which one hears so much
about in the East, and the evil effects
of which are felt comparatively little
here. have been destructive to a large
number OF factories in our section of
the country. There is hardly n manu-
featuring city of any size in Ohio. In
diana, or Illinois where one or more
factories have not been closed down
on account of the combination in some
particular line of goods.
The result has been that good
many people have been thrown out of
employment IN recent months. Little
has been heard of these matters, be-
caiiee nearly everybody had been max
ing good money and had enough left
to support themselves for some time.
while they looked for other employ
ment. But great deal of hardship
has resulted"
We do not in the least know who Mr..
Seal is, but we do know that he has
stated only what others have repeat
eddy asserted before and what Mr..
Hanna was compelled to admit in the
campaign In Ohio last fall. The wide
discrepancy between Mr.. Wolcotts
statement and the facts can not be
excused on the ground that he spoke in
the heat of the moment; It was, as
indicated above. a most carefully pre-
pared effort, and was intended to give
10 the spellblnders everywhere their
cue for the campaign.
AS Mr.. Wolcott was speaking for the
Administration, his declaration with re-
gard TO trusts, which, according to
Mr.. Beal. have almost paralyzed in
dustry in the towns of three States,
Will be most instructive when read in
conjunction with the gingerly declara-
ton of the Republican platform as TO
trusts. On this subject Mr.. Wolcott
said:
Whenever a Republican admin,stra-
ton is III power there lis constant talk
of trusts. The reason isn't far to seek.
AgSrega tons and combinations of cap
iiai End their only encouragement in
prosperous days and Widening COM
merce. Democratic administration in
this country has universally meant in
duStfial etagnat.on and commercial de-
Prv7ss1on, wiTcrT CUFTT7TT SOCKS Il n1tTTg
place instead Of investment. The Re
publican party has always maintained
that any combination having for It's
purpose the corncring OF a market or
the raising or controlling of the price
of the neccssares OF life was unlawful
and should he punished, and COM
mission appointed by the President
under act of Congress has made care
iul investigation, and VIII soon pre-
sent Il full report OF the best method
OF dealing with this intricate question
We shall meet 1t in some efficient way,
and. as a party. shall have the courage
10 project every class of our citizens"
This is a gem upon which comment
Is hardly necessary. The trusts are n
product Of prosperity and must, on the
whole. be rather good things! The Re
publicans have hardly lived up TO the
forecasts OF their antitrust declara-
lions. The platform does not ring"
any worth mentioning and the party
spokesman distinctly thinks them not
worth anything more than a few plat
itudes.