The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-01
CLEMENS On TRUSTS
tx-kansas Agitator Puts His
Comment on the Case
IN FORM OF A PARABLE
0epIores the Utter 0egeneracy
Of PopuIism.

Guthrie, o. r., April 9O-Hon. G. c.
Clemens, the noted Kansas agitator, has
come and gone, leaving behind him
pleasant recolections Of a highly inter
esting personanty-for no matter how di-
vergent opinions may De as TO his pohti-
cal views. every one after personal en-
counter agrees that Mr.. Clemens is a
most charming figure. His present visit
to Oklahoma is to inculcate the doc
trines OF socialism, which he regards as
the true, scientific remedy for all the ills
10 which the body polite is subject Be-
ing a Kansan, Mr.. Clemens naturally
came in contact with a large number Of
old-time friends and acquaintances, and,
incidentally, the newspaper men who
make Guthrie headquarters. To the lat
ter he was delightfully."- frank, expressing
his views fully on every question pro-
pounded. For instance, when asked re-
gardiag the trust question, he said:
Mr.. McKinleys industrial commission
sounds a keynote for the Republicans as
10 dealing with trusts. The great remedy
proposed is to require a trust when ship
ping goods to another state, 10 brand
them as trust-made goods. Mr.. Bryan's
great remedy is TO compel trusts TO reg
lister and get licenses before doing bust
nessc in other states. Both remedies dis
tinctly recognize the legal status of
trusts, and to have trusts made legal by
registration and license ought to be
worth a good-sized campaign fund for an
antitrust campaign ought It not?
make the trust register before it gets
q, room in the States hotel" commented
the agitator sarcastically, on Bryan's
pian Then If it does not be good its
neighbors win talk about it when it gets
home. I am not a Nero and am unwill-
ing to adopt such cruelty drastic meas
ures even toward a trust"
Dir. Clemens expresses his method of
handling the trust question, in the fol-
lowing parable: "A torrent is rushing
down the mountain and threatening with
devastation cur little villages in the val
ley. II Is evidently a permanent tor
rent It has come to stay. We consult
What to do to save our village. The pro-
ject Of dammisg the torrent Is soon
abandoned. for it is agreed that it would
soon burst its puny barrier and descend
70 the plain in still greater fury We
call in the great men Of the villige. Mr..
Bryan, what shall we do% Easy. nv
Gear villagers; give some men blank
books and pencils and have them at in
tcrvals duly register the arrival of the
torrent in each point in its course That
VIII do the business and check it in its
mad career Mr. Mckinley. what would
you adviser My dear villagers, nothing
could he simpler. Pound stakes in the
ground along the course of the torrent
and put on each stake a conspicuous
SiEab7ard inscribed: Take notice-this is
q torrent" That will fix you all right
Then comes along a miserable crank
who IS not entitled to have any views on
Grcat public questions, and although his
ajvice has not been asked. he gives it.
Foolish Villagers, that torrent can be
made not only harmless, but useful. Do
but dig a channel for it and guide it be-
SIDE the village. 1t will flow gently by,
turn the wheels of your mills and, Join
ing other torrents further down. will
make a great river to carry upon its
placid bosom the commerce Of a nation
to the sea- But he is only a sociologist.
"a visionary, impractical fellow-and few
heed him. 1t is plain our village is DOOM
ed and that the torrent will make itself
" chaRnel, we having failed to provide
one. The Socialist would do with the
trusts what most Of you do with cir
Gus: take the family and go inside. Let
Us be the stockholders-au Of us-and
then the trust will be certain not to
hurt US"
''WhQt is the Populist view Of the
trusts?" was asked
You have observed that I have not
given the Populist party's views on the
question. 1t is not my fault The Pop
uiist party has no national views this
year, II is not in the business any more
1t has made an assignment The Populist
party is carrying water 10 the Demo-