The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-29

is there to lookout for its trade interests
and see that those interests are protected
for all time to come.
It is said that competition is thins OF
the past. On the contrary there never was
such competition as there is in the Worid
to-day. 1t is competition between the
great powers Of the earth for trade Time
was when Americans were quite content 70
trade among themselves, but as the coun-
try has grown and as Its producing capac-
ity has increased, we have found that IL
is absolutely necessary to have an OUTSIDE
marke, for our surplus. To-day we are
seeking trade in all parts Of the world and
we are competitor with the great ma
tions of the earth for foreign trade. Com
petition is now, we say, between nations,
and each nation is contendins with every
other nation for trade on the outside. AL
that America asks is that the markets Oh
the earth be open to free competition,
feeling sure that she can hold her own
with any of the powers that be. mat IS
what we desire in China. We do not want
the Chinese Empire to be dlstnemoeTed.
We want to preserve the status quo, to
keep the trade door open, and we want
the Chinese to be in position to purchase
freely of foreign goods that shall be
offered.
Given that condition, it then becomes
question as to which nation shall get the
greatest share of trade, and this brings
US to the consideration of question
which Is destined to play a most con-
spicuous part in the politics OF this coun-
try during the next few months, to VII:
the question of trusts, so-called. The ma
ton which gets the lions share of this
outside trade is The nation which supplies
the best article at the lowest price. 1t
was through our adversely that we in
America learned how to compete Tor Tor
eign trade. During the period OF business
depression in this country several years ago
our manufacturers were compelled 10 re-
duce the cost of production, and they nave
now brought the cost down to such point
as to be able to sell their goods abroad
in competition with foreign manufacturers
That is really the origin of trusts. In or
der to compete in the outside markets 1t
is necessary to reduce the cost of produc-
ton to the minimum, and this IS to be &C
complished through organization, through
cooperative companies improperly called
trusts
There is so much prejudice against trusts
that it is hard matter to get some people
to take practical view Of them Ihere
are those vino say that the trusts should
be smashed. that they should be prohibited
by law Let us begin a crusade OF that
character, let US demolish the great cor
porations of the country, let US throw
aside the instrumentality which we are
now employing in fighting for this foreign
trade and We shall soon have to withdraw
from China and from all outside markets.
We might as well talk about smashing
our machinery and doing our work with
hand labor as TO talk OF destroying cor
porations, and yet holding our own in this
world wide competition. Talk about cor
| porations as the curse of the laboring man
| of this country, the fact is they are MS
| salvation Smash the trusts of this coun-
| try and thousands and hundreds of thous-
aujls will be walking around seeking lOD.