Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-17
Trusts and MonopoIies.

''The decisions of the courts
are practically uniform to the eff
feet that nc one has any right
to enter into any agreement
or combination when the pur-
pose or the effect is to control prices
or create a monopoly. Further, it is
also apparent that the right to prohib-
it such contract or combination is
clear, when the object is to control
prices, even if it is not intended I'M
reasonably to increase prices.
Evils of this kind exist and are in
operation in every state. Their ex-
tent and harmful effect may or may
not have been exaggerated in the pub
lie estimation, but all must agree that
there is much that ought to receive
the consideration of the legislative
branch of the state government. The
present law of this state on the sub
ject is entirely insufficient, either as
remedy or a restraint. In the first
| place it only applies to corporations.
| 1t is entirely plain, however, that part
Inerships and individuals may enter
| into agreements and combinations,
which, in their results, will be just as
disastrous to the public interests as
can any confederation of corporations.
1t is not perceived that the corporate
character of the party doing it makes
the controlling of prices, or the Gre
ating a monopoly, any more or less
hurtful than if the same thing was
done by partnersih or individual. In
the next place, it only denOunces such
combinations when entered into by
corporations organized under the laws
of this state. 1t is of course known
that the whole subject Of interstate
commerce is under our system eXclu-
sively matter Of federal cognizance;
but surely the state has some control
over the business transactions within
it's limits, even by foreign corpora
lions. | think legislation should be
adopted providing that if any corpora
ton organized under the laws of this
or any other state, or any partnership
or association of individuals, or any
individuals, shall enter into, or become
a member of, or a party to, any trust,
, agreement, combination, confederation
or understanding with any other cor
poration, partnership, person, or asso-
: citation of pesons, to regulate or fix
the price of any commodity or to limit
; the amount of any commodity to be
: manufactured, mined. sold, transport
ed or placed on sale or disposed of, or
! to do, or to refrain from doing, any
J other thing with the intent to control
and fix the price of any commodity
to be manufactured, mined, sold or
; transported in this state, such cOrpor-
alton and the officers and agents there
of, and such partnership, individuals
: and associations of persons, shall be
: deemed guilty of a conspiracy to dc
fraud and shall be subject to such
prosecution and punishment and such
: penalty or forfeiture as may, in the
judgment of the legislature, be proper.
The Lobby.
The legislature of 1899 enacted chap
ter 243 of the laws of 1899, designed to
control and somewhat restrict the OPP
erations OF what is commonly termed
the lobby in relation to legislation.
The principle involved in that enact
: ment has my unqualified approval.
Chapter 243, while step in the right
direction, does not go far enough to
reach and eradicate the real evil. In
: my judgment, it ought to be so amend
: ed as to restrict, in SO far as may be,
the lobby to public argument before
, the two houses or the committees
Y thereof.