The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-01-11
TRUSTS STILL FLoURIsHINo.
Combines and Monopoaies waxia0
Fat Under the Protectien OF
Republicans.

The republican national platform
contained plank asserting that I'VE
condemn all conspiracies and combi-
nations intended TO restrict business
to create monopolies. 10 limit produc.
ton, or TO control prices; and favor
such legislation as will effectively re-
strain and prevent all such abuses
protect and promote competition and
secure the rights Of producers. labor
ers. and all who are engaged in in
dnstry and commerce" Upon the
platform containing the plank the re-
publican party was continued in full
control of the government in all ito
departments.
The plate glass trust, under the
protection Of the Dingley tariff. arbi-
trarily raised prices to a point far
above the rates existing before IL
went into effect; TO so high point,
it seems, that some dealers found it
profitable to import certain grades OF
foreign glass. even with the heavy
duty of the present tariff. The trust
promptly took steps to stop this An
order was recently issued to all deal
ers IN window glass that they must
cease importing on their own account,
or buying any imported glass unless
from agents belonging to the trust.
Any customer of the trust violating
this order is to be boycotted, and the
rebate of five per cent. paid to the
customers of the trust on their pur.
chases for a year is TO be cut off.
Here would seem to be a clear case
of combination TO restrict business"
create monopolies' and control
prices" calling for such Legislation
as will effectively restrain and pre-
vent all such abuses" That is tho
way the Philadelphia members of the
paints, oils, and window glass trade,
regarded it, and when the federal in
dustrial commission began its sit.
tings in Philadelphia some days ago
they went before il with their griev-
ances and asked relief.
They told the commission among
other things, that whereas a l2x60-
inch light formerly cost IS cents, IL
now costs Sl.ss: the 24xG0 size was
s.. 40 a light. and now it is Sc; the PAX
81 size. which cost Si.55 about three
/ Years ago. HON tocle Oil
These are the prices charged by the
trust. and enforced by complete
boycott on any purchaser who buys
outside Of the trust. The paint men
thought this a legitimate case for in
I reference by legislation, and what
, they asked was that the tariff on for
, eign glass be so reduced as to make
open competition on all grades posi-
BILE. They claimed that duties under
/ the Dingley tariff enabled the trust
: to fleece the domestic trade. and that
r the only way to correct the injustice
4 is by modifying the tariff. The indus
: trial commission was asked TO recon-
mend this action TO congress.
= The chairman of the commission
i. promptly dissipated any hopes of re-
n lief from that source. lie told the
[. paint men they cannot go into con
j. gress and ask for a revision of this
a particular tariff without entailine
II grave danger of causing a general at
n tack on the existing tariff. and of in
a juring the prevailing prosperity o.
n the country" The Philadelphia Pub
b lie Ledger, republican as il is, feel
compelled to comment that 'if thii
n be sample of the character Of the in
4. quiry the industrial commission II
$ pursuing. it might as well suspend ii
!, hearings. since il is plainly commit
s ted to the preservation OF all the trus
d promoting and sustaining provision
n of the existing tariff, no matter how
= glazing may be the abuses perpe
D. trated under cover Of It's schedules
d Cleveland Plain Dealer