The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-08-18
LABOR AND TRUSTS
ORGANIZED LAROR'S APTITUDE N
RELATION TO TRUSTS.


Natural Concentration Of Indus.
try are Futile-Public Ownership
In the Only Remedy.
The West Duluth X-Ray has thrown
out two or three hints about the pub.
lication Of an article on trusts by the
Rev. Sam Jones which appeared in this
paper in recent issue. In it's last is
sue it said that we claimed to be op.
posed to trusts. which is not true. This
paper has always taken the position OF
the advanced thinkers of the industrial
problem, and believes that the only So
luton to the trust problem is In the
public ownership of them. All attempts
to thwart the development Of trusts
have done labor more harm than the
trusts. The state declarations Of labor
of Wisconsin and Minnesota. after dis
cussing the trust question in several
conventions adopted the following:
1--WE believe in the collective owner
ship by the people of all means of pro-
luction and distribution. (By this is
meant that when an industry becomes
so centralized as to assume the form
of trust or monopoly, and hence a
menace to the best interests Of the peo-
pie. such industry should be assumed
by the government.)"
The American Federation of Labor in
somewhat milder terms has practically
declared the same. President Gompers
in his report to the Detroit convention
spoke as follows on trusts:
I'VE are all conscious of the giant
strides with which industry during the
past decade has combined and concen-
trated into the modern trust. There is
considerable difference of opinion, how
ever as to what is regarded by many
as an intolerable evil.
organized labor is deeply concerned
regarding the "swift and intense con-
centration of the industries" and it re .
allzes that unless successfully confront
ed by an equal or superior power, there
IS economic danger and political SUBJ
jugation in store for all.
But organized labor looks with an
prehension at the many panaceas and
remedies offered by theorists to curh
the growth and development, or to des-
troy the combinations of industry. We
nave seen those who knew little Of
statecraft, and less of economics. urge
the adoption of laws to regulate" in
terstate commerce, and laws to "pre-
vent combinations and trusts: and we
nave also seen that these measures
When enacted, have been the verv in
struments to deprive labor of the ben
/ ,el1 eHt q organized EFFORT. while at the
ISJv1 iria
TcentlvesFto more subtly and surely III.
r1cate the wheels of capitals combin-
alton.
for our own part, we are convinced
that the state Is not capable of prevent
ing the development. or the natural con-
centration of industry. All the propos-
1tlons to do so which have come under
our observation, would, beyond doubt.
react with greater force and injury nm
on the working people Of our country
than upon the trusts.
The great wrongs attributable r. +b.
trusts are their corrupting influence on
the politics of the country, but as the
STATE mas always been the representa-
1--WE or the wealth possessors, we shall
pe compelled to endure this evil unit,
the toilers are organized and educated
10 the degree that they shall know that
the state is by right theirs, and finally
and justly come to their own, while
never relaxing in their efforts to secure
the very best possible economic, social
and material improvement in their con-
dition.
Ihere is no tenaerer or more vulner-
able spot in the anatomy Of trusts than
their dividend paying function; there
IS no power on earth other than the
trade unions which wields so potent q
weapon to penetrate, disrupt. and, il
necessary. crumble the whole fabric
This however, will not be necessary
nor will it occur; for the trade unions
VIII go on organizing, agitating and ed
ncatlng, in order that material improve.
ment may Keep pace with industrial de-
Velopment, until the time when the
workers, who will then form nearly the
whole people, develop their ability te
administer the functions of governmen,
in the interest Of ALL
There will be no cataclysm. but 9
transition so gentle that most men will
wonder how it all happened.
In the early days Of our modern can.
italist system, when the individual en-
ployer was the rule under which indus,
try was conducted, the individual worl.
men deemed themselves sufficiently ca
pable to cope for their rights; when in
dustry concentrated into great combin
ations, the workmen formed their ma
tional and International unions; az en-
ployments became trustified, the toiler
organized federations of all unions. 10
cal, national and International, such a,
the American Federation of Labor.
We shall continue. to organize AM
federate the grand army of labor, ant
with our notices, fewer hours of labor
higher wages, and an elevated standar,
of life, we shall establish and exact jus
tice for ALL 49, i
We published Mr.. Jones' article OF
trusts as a matter Of news, as we will
be glad to publish any article on tn,
subject.
The trust question is an economi
question and requires the most careful
thought Of all the people. The NOR
discussion that ia given IN r. m I,o%l