The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-01-13
Grady on Newspaper Trusts.


Grady on Newspaper Trusts.
Atlanta Journal.
One fine morning, perhaps dozen years
ago, Henry w. Grady brought up tho
subject Of trusts in an on.hsnd talk with
the members of his editorial staff
The brilliant journalist pointed out the
dangerous nature of the evil and made
an eloquent plea for the small traders and
manufacturers who ind it impossible to hold
their own against the competition OF the
prise known as trust
He called attention to the fact that this
oppressive monopoly was al the time feaeh-
ing out Tor the control OF additional indus
tries and branches OF commerce.
In an impressive aud pathetic way he plH-
turcd the hopeless struggle OF an enorgetia
young man OF limited means to establish and
maintain business Of his own when he had
70 fight trust.
He mentioned various lines OF trade and
industry which had fallen, one by ono, into
the hands OF this giant OF the commercial
world and predicted Ahat others would DO
added 10 tho list.
The trust he said, will invade every
field and crush competition, unless we hnd
some way Of checking IT, In tho old days y
man with small capital could build up a
business and reasonably, expect fair reward
for his best efforts, but under the new eondl-
tons a trust may organize at any time and
smash every competitor who is not able to
put millions OF dollars into his venture. his
destroys the independence of the citizen. Il
makes MIN feel that be is the slave OF the
trust, doomed to remain hirelins all HIS
life, with no prospect OF ever throwing on
the yoke OF his master"
The workers on the editorial floor we're
intensely Interested in the talk of their chief,
and more than one suggestion was made TO
emphasize his points.
Il suppose newspaper trust viii tome
in the near future, remarked one Of tne
listeners.
Mr.. Grady looked at the speaker With a
startled expression.
"A newspaper trust'" he repeated. well,
why not? But what am | thinking Of? Tho
thing is impractIcable. 1t would he fall
ure"
number of the staff held different view.
"Do you see much competition In tele-
graphic news service?" he asked Isn't the
present system a trust? Now, II trust
collects and sells the news, why can't q
trust own and control the papers them
selyes?'
There is difference replied Mr. Grady.
IAN Associated Press is a great convenience
10 the newspapers. and It saves no end OF
time labor and money. It's service Is useful
10 newspapers OF every class and every sha lie
OF political opinion When the news is un
satisfactory it simply gives the editor an
othor subject but It is rare thing to heaf
the charge made that such an association IS
corruptly Influenced. The spread OF such an
IDEA would tempt competitor to enter mo
held in spite OF the magnitude Of the other
concern.
"a newspaper trust would be very differ
Ont AFFAIR. Even in the most despotic todn-
tries it Is impossible 10 prevent bold and
enterprising men from publishing and cir
cuiatng all sorts OF papers Before TIRE
French revolution small sheets were printed
in Paris and carried through the country
districts by peddlers. In England during
the corn law agitation and the chaftst
troubles the government newspapers were
opposed by others representing the MASSES.
Look al the socialstc literature in Germany
and Austria and the publications Of tue
NiblIsts in Russia. II the powerful govern
mcnts OF those countries can not successfully
maintain their newspaper organs to the es-
clusion Of those OF their opponents, how can
trust expect 70 have the field to tself9
In this free county, any newspaper sns-
pectcd OF belonging to trust organized fer
the purpose Of publishing and conirollin .
considerable number OF dsi1es or scek!ies
or both would be placed under the ban q
public opinion az once. II would lose sub
scrlbers and advertisers and the trust would
have to run it at a loss.
! ~
Printing material Is cheap, and so Is white
paper They are easily manufactured. Start
newspaper trust in large city. STATE or
section, and numerous journals would spcea-
ny make their appearance and fight e ylsaT-
ousIy. II necessary. they would organize a
rival trust, and then other trusts wound 10
low representing different views, until ne
nulnplIety Of trusts would bring Toe wpoie
business back to healthy and natural com
petition.
''You have heard and read Of sons exciting
periods In the history of our country. and
you remember the stirring days 81 or evil
war and the reconstruction era. Wen. you
would see the commotion Of those times ro-
vs.led Il q crovd Of miIlonsires should at
( tempt to establish such trust as you have
suggested
~
''rhe thousands Of msn in eur republic
Who are struggling for leadership. irnuenss