The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-11-09
The Arrogance and Danger of
Monopoly.

hat any one with half-open mental eye
ought TO be able to see the danger to lib
critics of the people and popular govern
nent the colossal power mouey and
industrial monopoly have acquired.
President Cowen of the B. & o. railroad
in the closing hour of the campaign
developed the coercive methods ofmonop-
oily in such brutal and donineering
manner, in order to frighten the en-
ployes of the railroad and other allied
industries as to raise wave of hot indig-
nation, not only among the employees of
the company, aud other labor employers
in proximity to the road, but such as to
call attention Of the general public to the
methods that are used by the captains
of industry"
President Cowen had given an order
some time ago for Coco steel freight cars
for his road. AS the day of election drew
near he appointed mass meeting to be
held in Music Hall, Baltimore, and free
ride was extended to the employees of all
the large establishments within reach of
the meeting, numbering several thousand
men.
Cowen was the star orator of the even
ing and told the meeting that provision
was inserted in the contract for the cars.
that in case of Bryan's election it was
optional to declare the contract off. Mr..
Cowen endeavored to impress it upon the
meeting, made up chiefly of factory en-
ployes, that the contract for 5000 of the
cars would be annuulled, and only 1000
partly constructed cars-would be
received. When called to account and
charged with bluffing Mr.. Cowen at
tempts to justify his action by giving the
following reasons:
81. This is large order for cars, cost
ing we'll on to $1,000, 900. These cars
will necessarily be paid for out of the
proceeds of securities provided under the
various plans of reorganization for such
purposes. These securities are necessarily
foated by bankers, and Bryan's election
is believed by all bankers, without ex.
ception, to be so certain of causing fear,
doubt and hesitation in the financial
markets of the world that they would not
take the securities at prices which the
managers of the company regard as proper
prices; still, they will take them at proper
prices. if Bryan is defeated. The funds,
therefore, for the payment of the cars
would not be forthcoming; hence, as
prudent business men, we make the con-
tract accordingly.
2. Again, if Bryan is elected, we believe
that there will be such contraction OF
business and enterprise that such large
additional number of cars will not be
needed. This is the plain, unvarnished
tale"
This statement of Mr.. Cowen reveals a
condition of servitude and dependence OF
the country on money monopoly and
industrial monopoly which assume already
supreme control of the business and labor
of the country. Their dictum must be
obeyed without questioning or they will
bring such pressure on the business of the
country in its every department as to at
once blight and utterly ruin the business
and fortunes of hundreds of thousands.
1t is time this condition of affairs was
ended, and control of the finances of the
country taken out of private hands and
placed in control of the government, in
the interest of the whole people, and the
business of the country delivered from
the iron hands of trusts.
When an important election is pending
the banking monopoly orders the indus
trial monopolies, every one of which is
under the thumb of The money power, to
threaten an industrial stagnation in bus
mess by general suspension of work
and turning an army of idle men out to
starve. The bankers of Wall street an
nounce simultaneously that financial
panic is threatened and will take place if
the candidates of their choice are not
elected.
A new education of the public is loudly
called for to curb these dictators, the
money trust and the industrial trusts.
The banking monopoly, the transporta
ton monopoly and the telegraph monop-
oily, which control all the lesser industrial
monopolies. These three mouopolies
must be placed in the hands of the gov
eminent before single step can be taken
to remedy the evil or check the march of
subjugation Of the people which is
threatened by monopoly.
These are the lines on which the next
great national battles will be fought. The
Republican party is committed to gov
eminent by monopoly, as the four years
of McKinley's administration have
proven, if this nation is to remain re-
public of: the people by the people. It
has already degenerated into republic
in outward form for moueyed, govern
ment favored class.
The people must rise out of the mists of
party ignorance, party blindness and
party fauaticism and bigotry; and stand
on the higher ground of patriotism.
Principles must be placed above party
prejudice by study of the conditions
which make for more healthy national
life.