The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1900-10-04

when the spur of competition no long.
er compels the manufacturer to furnish
the best goods for the lowest possible
price?
j, In little book described as an "In-
vestment Guide and issued in 1900
by Henry Clews & O.. bankers, l find
list of large corporations together
with brief description of the bust
ness done and advantages secured by
consolidation. In some instances an
estimate is given of the output of the
company as compared with the total
! product of the United States.
Mr. Bryan then gave list of a few
of the corporations organized since the
last presidential election, and contin-
ued.]
No Hope from Republicans.
During the present administration
no honest effort has been made to pro-
tect the people from these monopolies.
The Republican party controls the ex-
ecutive and the legislative depart
ments of the federal government. 1t
can enforce the laws which now exist;
| 1t can propose and enact new laws
but it does neither. No persons can
watch the conduct of the Republican
party and read the speeches of Re-
publican leaders, and still believe the
Republican party sincere in it's dec
laration against the trusts.
The Republican platform on this
question and the presidents letter of
acceptance, taken in connection with
the party's record, prove conclusive
ly that no relief can be hoped for from
| that nortV Instead nf ToiDti,,O
the evils of trusts the Republican lead
ers spend their time in exulting over
present conditions. The trust is part
of present conditions, and Mr.. Flint,
from which | have already quoted, de-
clared that the formation of large cor
porations was one of the important
features of what he described as the
present business activity. If Repub-
lican leaders really regarded private
monopoly an evil; if they really in
tended to apply an effective remedy,
they would not hesitate to denounce
trusts and suggest means for their
determination, but they express far
more solicitude for the corporation
than for the people at large. One is
reminded of the picture which a moth
err once showed to her boy to impress
upon his youthful mind the sufferings
of the Christian Martyrs, who were be-
ing thrown into the arena and torn
to pieces by the lions. The boy looked
at the picture for a moment, and then
his face frightened up as he thought
he caught the idea. Pointing down
into one point of the picture, he said:
why, mamma, there is one poor lit
tie lion that isn't getting a Bit" 1t
is even so with the Republican lead
ers. Their sympathy goes out freely
to any corporation, which in their
opinion is not getting its share, but
they are not moved by the hardships
imposed by monopolies upon all who
are outside of the charmed circle
Three sessions of congress have con-
vened and adjourned since the presi-
dents Inauguration, and yet he has
never recommended specific measure
looking toward the overthrow of mo-
nopolies.
The Effect of Trusts.
Let us note briefly the effect Of the
trusts upon various classes. The
lawyers are finding that with the
growth of trusts the business is
gravtating toward the offices of the
big corporation attorneys, while less
fortunate practitioners are becoming
law clerks.
The actors suffer from the theatrical
trust
The small manufacturer is constants
ly menaced by the trusts.
He does not know at what moment |
some large corporation will attempt to
monopolize the business in which he |
is engaged, and give him his choice
between bankruptcy and participation
In industrial 90 r,i,. nj, Oh 1,o |
rest Of the country. Many have been
driven into the trust organization by |
the larger corporations engaged in the
same business, or by trusts formed to
control iron, steel, tin plate, or some
other product used as basis for fur
Their manufacture. In what business
can your son safely invest a small
amount Of capital today? If he starts
into any independent business he will
find it difficult, if rot impossible, to
compete with a large organization if |
1t attempts to undersell him in his ter
ritOry, because it can sustain itself, by
collecting high prices in other parts
of the country. If he suppresses his
moral objections and takes stock in
monopoly, he does not know how soon
those in charge may attempt to
freeze OUT the smaller stockholders.
The merchant Is losing his independ-
ence. The trust fixes the terms upon
which he shall sell, and often binds
him by contract not to sell a Compel
ing article. When the monopoly Is
credit will be shortened, and
the merchant will be compelled to
bear all the risks of trade When
the trust raises prices, the merchant
usually has to divide the advance with
his customers, so far as stock on hand
is concerned, but when the trust over
stocks the market and then lets the
price fall, the merchant must bear the
loss on accumulated stock. When,
for instance, the American Steel and
Wire company closed several of it's
factories few months ago and threw
some 5000 employees out of work, it
dropped the price of nails and barbed
wire in order to work off a surplus
stock which had accumulated because
the high prices had lessened the de-
mand. Every merchant lost money on
the nails and wire on hand.
There is already overproduction in
many lines. The supply of common
chairs is now considerably in excess