Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1900-04-06

HOW SOON WILL THEY OWN US.

hUW SUM WILL IhEY UWM Us.
Here are some little facts to consider:
The Standard Oil Company was or
ganized in 1870 with capital Of 81, ,0O0,-
900. 1t has just distributed quarterly
dividend in cash and script Of $23,000,-
900. representing an annual profit of
500, 100000. But even if we admit that
the last dividend is exceptional, the re-
turns for nine months show that the
Standard Oil Company profit for the
current fiscal year can hardly fall below
$50, 900, ,OO0 There was dividend three
months ago of $10,000,000, and one
three months before that of S., 900, 900.
The United States Government was
organized under the Constitution in
17S9 It total gross income-not profits
was less than $52, ,0o0, 900 as late as
1862, when it was seventy.three years
old. The,net profits of the Standard
Oil Company are greater now than the
gross income of the United states Gov
ernment was at more than twice it's
age
In the four years 1896, 1897, 1898, and
1899, the profits of the Standard Oil
Company amounted to $127, 900, 900. In
the same four years the United States
Government ran behind its expenses to
the amount of $17o, ,41l,307.27. Is not
Mr.. Rockefeller already bigger man.
than old Uncle Sam?
The Standard Oil Company, which
thirty years ago was worth $1,000, 900
at the outside, is worth now on tho basis
of the market quotations about $780,
90, ,00O-an increase of fifty-five thousand
per cent. As an income producing
property. it is worth twice that.
In the same length OF time the aggre-
gate wealth of the United States has
increased from $50, O6s, ,51s, SOY 70 about
81, 900, 600, 900, 900, or about 230 per
cent. E.a#
How long will it take for $4,000 per
cent to over take $50 per cent? Work
out that problem and you will know
how soon Mr.. Rockefeller and his part
ners will own the United States.
You will not put the date quite early
enough. however, for the figures do moi
show the full extent of the growth Of
the Rockefeller monopoly. In the first
place the Standard Oil Company il
making money faster than it ever did
before. It is going ahead with acceler
ated velocity. In the next place thu
oil business is altogether too small tc
furnish opportunities for the investment
of all the wealth that is pouring in upor
the magnates Of the Rockefeller group
They are reaching out for the control
of every branch of industry. They
employ 35, 900 men in Standard Oil alone
"a larger army than the United States
had before the war with Spain-but
that is only a detail.
They own the greatest iron mines in
the world, carry their ore to the lakes
on their own railroads, and thence Ia
to market on their own steamers.
They have enormus fleets of freighters
on lakes and ocean. They are heavily
interested in the great passenger ships
of the International Navigation Com
pany. They come near to controlling
the copper supply of the world. They
own coal mines, railroads and gas
works all over the country. They have
a share in the new Salt Trust. They
have immense interests in street rail
roads. They are building up colossal
banks and controlling the money
supply
With from $50, 600, 900 to $1,000. 900,
900 to invest every year in income pro
ducing property which makes the re
venue stilllarger the next year, wha
can keep the Standard Oil Compan!
from owning the United States? No
thing but another trust too rich to b.
bought and too strong to be crushed, o
legislation to keep the concentration Of
wealth within bounds, There are NJ
indications of the appearance of tn
former antidote, and the people will
have to get to work without much NOR
delay if they wish to be in time for tn
I lattsr.-New York Journal.