The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-06

We feel sure that one Of the most i'm
portant, most pressing questions for the
American people now is the meat trust
It Is not a new thing after all. A beef
trust has been fiourishing off the peo-
pie for some time. In 1901. its profits
are put at least 800, o 0.0Oo. Think Of
that. By making prices that Is the huge
sum it has wrenched from the people.
This is most shameful, and as the Phil
adelphia Record says, il almost equals
the magnificent profits "of the Oil
Trust or of the Steel Trust, but it
is more hardly borne for the reason that
so large a part of it is snatched direct
ly and needlessly from the hand Of toll.
The rich man can lay his beef tax
without Inconvenience; to the poor man
1t is a burden. In so far as the cost OF
meat is made excessive by reason Of
tariffs or combinations for ~forestalling
the market it is an abuse that calls for
immediate remedy"
This Internal combine will help the
people in the end in a certain and i'm
important way. 1t will show them
through the medium of their hunger
Just what a dangerous. lawless monster
is a trust that is organized for oppres-
sion and to satisfy the lust for money.
The New York World said d few lays
ago hat this meat trust mad really
done more in a fortnight to set the
people thinking keenly and deeply on
the problem of monopoly than all the
Trusts that manipulate unedible things
put together could possibly do. Steak
at 25 cents a pound is h price that
staggers humanity 1t is the anti-cli-
max Of the full dinner-pail.' h sub
tleties of the economists will be swept
away like cobwebS when people are
forced to weigh them against a lean
larder and a pinched DILL of fare.
History abounds with illustrations of
the fact that whoever and whatever in
terfere between man and his meals in
vite disaster. The French revolution be-
gan with a cry for food under the win
dows Of the kings palace. 1t was the
bread riots Of half-fed England that
forced the Tory government to repeal
the taxes On corn in very fear of what
might happen if it did not" The
World is precisely correct in its histori-
cal citations. When people are hungry
they are out OF temper and Will light
If the fellows trying TO rob the people
Of food should be able to continue their
devilish outrages upon the stomachs of
the people there would be serious,
bloody rots from Boston to San Fran
cisco and from Maine to Texas. The
need Of this hour is craftsmanship
worthy Of the name-wise. broad, hon.
est, bold. determined. The World says
that If there were any republican lead
err in congress gifted with the audacity
that goes with successful craftsmanship
what an opportunity there would be in
making an instant dash at q few of the
Trusts.
The Reef Trust,
The steel Trust.
The Paper Trust.
should be laid by the heels alongside of
the Sugar Trust. By killing these mon
sters the more moderate and conserva-
tive Protectionists might hope for a
while to avert more radical revision Of
the tariff schedules. But they Will not
throw their Jonahs overheard until too
late"
Let the people think first and then act
when it becomes necessary. Throw out
the republicans and PUT in fair, honest
and competent men.