The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-11
REED on CORPORATIONS.

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REED ON CORPORATIONS.
In connection with the discussion which
we are having with the Norfolk Firginian-
Pilot on the subject of monopoly. we
have read in the Saturday Evening Post,
an able article from the pen of Mr. Thos.
B. Reed. AIr. Reed is clear thinker and
he has an apt way of expressing his
thoughts. After showing that corpora
lions has come as the natural product of
an age of steam and electricity, he says:
.tMy notion is that though Providence
and the higher laws which really govern
the universe are in mems talk much in
ferior to the Revised Statutes before they
are enacted, they are always found to be
quite superior to them after they are en-
acted. In fact, nature abhors n mono-
poly as much as it does a vacuum. But
there are monopolies which have the
power of survival. am not now re-
ferrinS to patents or postoffices. There is
one condition on which an established
business can continue to exist, and. If 1t
be big enough, can drive the others out
all OF them. That condition is that it
can supply at 4. profit the whole market
at all times with an article at lower
statement you must decide whether such
G monopoly Is monopoly at all. One
thing seems certain. If such a mono
poly is q crime. then you must give up
your continued demand for lower and
lower prices.
That proposition has been stated time
and again, but rarely with such concise
ness and force. The trust has come in
at the lowest cost. No trust can exist
very long If its goods become unpopular.
Our forefathers refused to drink tea,
choosing rather to deny themselves
luxury rather than submit to the OPP
preston of British monopoly. That same
spirit is alive to-day and nothing SO sure
~ arouses the people Of Virginia as the
cry Of monopoly. We have had abund-
ant proof Of this in the fight that is now
being made for new road to Washing
ton.
There is prejudice against the trust to
start with, and in order to get patronage,
the trust must be on its good behavior.
Itself unpopular, it must make its goods
as popular possible. Goods made by
the trusts are popular, so popular, In
deed. that every attempt that has been
made to introduce antitrust goods on
sentiment has dsmally failed. No bust
ness can thrive for long on sentiment
least of all a trust, for popular sentiment
is against the trust The trust must
succeed by the merit of it's goods and no.
body understands that fact so well as
those who conduct the trusts.
It is for these simple reasons that The
Times has not shared in the fear of
those who say that the trusts are going
to destroy the country. The very greed
of the trust is its safety-valve.
Let US quote another extract from Mr..
Reeds article Referring to the solution
Of the problem, he says:
I'm the old days, before factories, each
man controlled his own actions When
factories started a large inroad was made
upon the liberty Of labor. A man found
himself part of an organization. He was
controlled by it. He had to work to the
full measure of his trength each and
every day. In time he began to realize
that organization, which was his weak
ness. was also his strength he organized
also. Inc result, aIteT 10
that to-day, after many mistakes and
plumbers on both sides. he is recognized
as q potent factor, has in due measure
dictated his hours of labor, and largely
influences his own pay. The owners OF
large plants are beginning to understand
that they are trustees as well as employ
ers, and that the value of what they own
depends not solely upon the capital even
judciously put in, but also upon the re-
latonS they have with those who do the
work This example gives great hope
for the future Of the race to US who have
watched the struggles of the last twenty
years. OF course there has been much
misdirected energy and temper on both
sides The capitalist said: This is my
property. I have a right, the sole right,
to say how and when or for what hours
and what wages men shall work fof me-
and the laborer said: This mill cannot go
on without me- and will say how, when
or for what hours and what wages shall
work. Between these two statements
Law the truth. and men have slowly grav-
itated toward it. Fights have largely
ceased. and reasoning and mutual infor-
milton have taken their place.
Cooperation is the motto Of the age.
A great deal IS said about the down
trodden workingnan. In point of fact,
the working man was never so strong,
never so exalted as he is to-day. There is
no such thing in our economy as master
and servant The employer and his en-
ployes are partners and this relationship