The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-05
What Is a Trust !

A trust is combination of capital to
control the output or price of an ar
ticle of commerce generally one in
common use. What is it's purpose:
The above definition indicates it's pur-
pose, which is to dimish or utterly de-
stroy competition in the production OF
such article, SO that the trust may
make enormous profits on it's sale or
production.
It is conceded that it is the demand
and supply which control the price of
any commodity. If the market is over
stocked the price goes down. if there
is scant supply the price goes up. 1t
is on this elementary principle that
trusts operate, and if the trust is
strong enough to con.rol the produc-
tion or price the consumers are the
sufferers.
That trusts ought to be suppressed
that means should be adopted to
prevent their organization-is not a
debatable question. Why can not
congress legisIate on the subject?
The supreme court of the United
States has held, and peoperly, that
commerce among the states includes
the purchase, sale and exchange of
commodities.
Under the general welfare claus, the
first one in the enumeration of the
powers of congress, that body may
provide for the general welfare of the
United States. If there is any one
evil that strikes more than any other
at the general welfare of the people of
the United States, it is the prevalence
of trusts throughout the country.
That law can be framed and en-
acted by congress suppressing those
III existence and preventing any in the
future, think clear.
They have thrown out of employ
ment thousands of laborers. Thou
sands of skilled and unskllled work
men, out of employment. which they
S EEK in vain, crowd the cities of the
United States, and other thousands
are tramping through the country
vainiy seeking work for livelihood.
This condition is not confined to a
few localities. but is the condition in
every state of the union.
To say that the congress of the
United States is powerless to grapple
with these hideous monsters, of which
anarchy and strikes are the spawn, is
to admit the weakness of Que govern
ment, and that the power given to
congress by the constitution to legis-
late for the general welfare is mean
ingless declaration-a mere jargon Of
words. That these combinations of
capital are threatening the very exist
ence of the government is apparent to
every one who has closely followed the
effects of their organization. When
the southern states attempted to Sc
cede from the union congress did not
hesitate to adopt stringent measures
to prevent the disruption of the union.
No express power could be found in
the constitution authorizing congress
" ttuOp1 SuCI th0dStFSsj-UOf cOuIu
any such power be implied from any
express delegation Of power, bat the
right of self-preservation justified
the congress of the United States in
providing a currency, sreenbacks, to
maintain the war to preserve the
union. 1t trusts threaten to involve
the United States in revolution: if Il
Protracted, and possibly a. bloody,
struggle between capital and labor
may be apprehended as a result Of
these unlawful combinations, then,
whether there be an express or implied
power or not to throttle them, the
principle of self-preservatipn will JUS
tify and sanction any act of congress
that may accomplish their destruction.
If partisans in congress will become
patriots and instead of seeking TO
strengthen their respective parties, or
their hold on their constituents for re-
election, viii endeavor to be states
men and legislate for the general well
fare Of the people. there will be no
difficulty in framing and enacting a
law that will suppress existing trusts
and prevent their organization in the
future.
As a general proposition, the con-
gress of the -Uniled- States should ad-
Le.e, la its legislation, To tie provi-