New-York tribune., 1900-05-25
PARTIES AND CORPORATIONS.

The attitude of the parties toward industrial
corporations will count for something In the
Presidential contest. There is much bitter feel
ing already, and there will be more If the or
ganiZations of workers press some of the de-
mands they are making The report that those
in conference at Indianapolis unable to
agree, In part because of the extreme demands
made by some, gives no assurance that an
agreement will not be reached on more or
less modified demands which may still be
possible. There is much in the air this year to
encourage extreme ideas The statements which
are being published day by day regarding the
enormous profits realized by one concern an
other peculiarly calculated to foster hostile
spirit among the workingmen, who cannot pull
millions out of the stock market as their share
of the game If some of the organizations had
been handled with express intent to make as
much trouble for themselves as possible about
wages and terms of labor they could hardly
have been handled more adroitly to that end
The attitude which Republicans in Congress
are taking is by some regarded mistaken.
But it is extremely likely to be more rea sonabe
and fair than that of any other party. Mr..
Bryan and his friends cannot agree because in
different ways each wants to surpass every
body else In threatening death to trusts" That
there Industrial corporations which do good,
and nothing but good. to the workers and to
consumers also it would seem to be standing
purpose of these parties to deny. If all shades
Of Democrats and Populists are not found busy
before the campaign has gone far in laboring to
make people believe that each and every COM
bination corporation of an industrial sort
must have horns and hoofs and a TAIL and be
engaged in diabolical work which far transcends
mortal powers of comprehension, the aforesaid
wi M do rly hln
toward decency and good sense.
Any attempt to secure Just and sensible action
by the people must Of necessity begin by show
ing that the combnat tons are not ali of one sort
or character. But what is to be done if in their
order the various corporations proceed TO make
1t impossible to justify their course? How can
it be said that such concerns are doing their
duty to the country If in order TO hold prices
at double their former range each corporation
shuts up part of its works and discharges sew
eral thousand hands? Nearly all the companies
when they were being formed caused careful
declarations TO be published that it was not
their object TO raise prices. But all Of them
have in fact raised prices, and few do not vet
appear to have any conception Of any other way
10 make money. If they are found joining each
other in contracts not to sell machines or ma
terals TO any competitor which might produce
Sheets plates nails or wire more cheaply how
will the people be persuaded that such concerns
are not conspring against the public welfare?
1t is not untimely to suggest these things be-
cause the various corporations are even now
forming public opinion which VIII govern action
about them Until after the election each step
they take will go into the account for or against
them. 1t is entirely within the power Of these
corporations TO do far more than anybody else
can do for their defence or justification, and it