Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-09-06
TRUSTS AND STRIKES ASSAILED.
BaIIOt.BOx Can Effect Reforms.

the common carriers OF San FRANCISCO, SaIWeh'-
makers of New York and many Others. Fully
200, 900 workmen and their wives and children
are suffering for the want of the daily wage,
and millions of money is being wasted and the
business world is demoralized. All this because
two men, Messrs Morgan and Shafer, the one
representing the money trust and the other
trust in muscle, stand with clenched fists and
grim hatred before each other in deadly defiance.
It matters not which may be in the right or
wrong in this controversy. These strikes are
unnecessary as they are unwise. They need
not. and they must not be tolerated Free
men have no reasonable excuse for resorting to
such methods. A Pierpont Morgan, notwith-
standing his mastery executive brain and the
billions of the Rothschids which he controls,
should not be permitted to control such indus
tries as the steel and coal and make wage slaves
of thousands of workmen, besides extortng
from every Preside the price for comfort
If American voters were intelligent enough
TO protect themselves by wise legislation, the
Pierpont Morgans would be shorn of their
power to harm The business world has no
RIGHT to submit to such combines and their bat
ties royal. A social scientist was recently
before the industrial commission, and while he
deplored the existence of trusts, when he was
asked what remedy he proposed, he replied: ~
have none. It looks like hopeless condition..
Then has sef-government proved such failure
that Justice is dead. Let the people OF this
country learn lesson in Cover nment from New
Zealand. She would not tolerate these trusts
or strikes for day. The government would
summon Messrs. Morgan and Schwab, with
books and evidence, and would hear the COM
plants of organized labor.
The property of the combines would be as
sessed at 10 per cent over the valuation put
upon if. by the owners, for taxation, and the
government would take possession of the prop
erty and run it in the interests OF the wage
Garner, consumer and government. In this
valuation all water would be squeezed out OF
the stock. 1t might cause temporary Hood
but watered stock, so pernicious to proper bust
ness interests, would shrink to actual values.
During recent sojourn in New Zealand,
noted the complaints, through the pres OF
consumers of coal because of exorbitant charges;
coal.diggers cried out against inadequate wages.
It was not necessary for Premier Seldom to
have delegation to wait upon him to ask re-
dress. He took cognizance OF the widespread
discomfort. New Zealand's coal beds are suft-
Gent for home consumption, with some for
export The officers OF the coal company were
summoned before Premier Seldom and his cabi-
net. It was made plain that this corporation
was doing injustice to the compliments The
investigation resulted in the government taking
over the coal fields of the country; the price OF
coal had been materially lowered to the con-
sumer; wages of workmen have been materially
increased, and the government is supplying Its
railroads, which it wisely owns, at less expense,
and handsome profit is accruing to it for the
liquidation of its taxes, and the business world
is saved the bankrupting strike.
If it were not so neal time for congress to
assemble, demand should 60 up to the presi-
dent for an extra session; but, as this body will
soon convene, demand should be speedily
made requiring the government to appraise and
take possession of all property known to be in
trusts or combines, to be owned and run by the
government.
If the next congress shall refuse to yield to
this demand, then let the next political cam
paign be fought upon this issue: the election of
congress and administration pledged to this
practical solution of present industrial cond-
tons and the complete destruction of trusts
If New Zealand can cope with this new system
of business tyranny, then the United States can
cope with it.