Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-01
TO RESTRAIN TRUSTS
GOV. La TOILETTE FAvoRs MA.
TIoNAL CONTROL.
Opening Of the Republican Campaign
in Wisconsin at Milwaukee
Last Night.

"A clspatch from Milwaukee, Wis las
night says: Governor Robert NJ. La Fol.
lette opened the campaign for the republt-
cans Of Wisconsin in this city tonight be-
fore an immense audience. The meeting
was presided over by Major Charles H. An.
son. Seated on the stage were several can
didates for other state offices and aspirants
for Congress. Governor La Toilette was
enthusiastically received. He spoke In part
as follows:
Though there may appear to be differ
ences among republicans on the tariff issue.
1t would seem to arise from misunderstand-
Ing rather than disagreement From Ham,
; ilton to Clay and from Clay to Mckinley
the principle upon which protective tariff
has rested for support has not changed
Inc true measure of protective duty is
the difference between the cost of produc-
tlon IN TINS and the competing country. A
tariff that is either higher or lower than
that should not be called a protective tarifr.
If it is higher it is prohibitory: if 1t is lower
1t is not protective.
1T Is charged that the tariff is RESPONSE
Bile for trusts. This charge is most strongly
pressed by those who opposed protection
before trusts We're known. They ignore the
fact that organization of trusts and combI-
nations began but few years ago and arc
fast gaining the control of business every
where. They are not confined to any coun-
policy. They rule the market in free trade
products in this country and in whatever
products they choose in free trade countries
Every writer on protection. every tariff
leader in Congress and before the country
placed free competition between protective
industries as a necessary complement to a
protective tariff. But new law an artifi-
cial law, Is supplanting the natural law OF
competition. By secret agreement the pro-
ducers Of like articles limit the number or
quantity produced and fix prices. Combina-
ton is destroying competition.
Il believe that the hour has come when
tariiT revision must stand close guard over
tarin schedules. But this revision should
be on the true protective principle of guard
ing American labor from free competition
with cheaper foreign labor. and yet take
the place of suppressed competition. l be-
lieve that not only all republicans, but all
citizens, Independent of political considera-
ton. would concede that tariff revision
cannot effectively grappe. indeed would be
but feeble, inadequate and uncertain
remedy for the trust evil which confronts
us today. Their gigantic power, their mas
terry of the industrial world. cannot be ex-
aggerated.
Anthracite coal is not protected by the
tariff but glance at the problem it pre-
sents. Ninety-fve per cent of the entire
coal field Is owned and controlled by eight
railway companies. The lines of these rail-
ways furnish the sole available means for
transportation of anthracite coal to mar
railways have forced private owners to sell
their coal mines and coal lands at half
value, first, by increasing the freight rates,
and. second, by refusing to carry the coal
FOR private owners at any price whenever
such owners could not be brought to terms
by the establishment Of eXorbitant trans
portation rates. Owning the coal and own
ing the railroads over which the coal is
transported to market, they fixed the
freight rates at exorbitant figures in
order to make consumers pay dividends
on the overcapitalization of the railroads
and coal mines. While rates for other and
like products have fallen, anthracite coal
rates have been advanced by the railways
until they are nearly twice as great as on
cotton or wheat. They limit the supply in
order to force a strong demand and high
market price. AS shown by sworn testi-
mony upon trials and investigation, more
than 5000, 600 600 in excess of a fair market
price has been eXacteu from consumers
This coal trust bears harder upon the
unfortunate, helpless labor that mines the
products at the wage level of a generation
ago than upon the consumer. Its attitude
of indifference to the appeal of press and
pulpit suggests utter contempt for public
opinion. This Is typical of the oppression
which awaits the people of this country
less the federal government Is empowered
to strip the combinations Of their unlawful
power.
LAS the magnitude of the question pre-
scented is understood 1t becomes manifest
lfldl ITO pUWeT OUTSIDE the supreme power OF
the land can control the situation. These
great combina tons of wealth. owning most
of the material products Of the earth, con-
trolling what they do not own and combin-
ing with the railroads, forget, in their
greedy strife for more, that all men
born free and equal and with certain in
alienable rights.
I'VE believe, with the President, that
these great monopolies constitute the fore
most Of national questions There probably
is not an important trust in the United
States which does not have the assistance
of railroads in destroying its competitors
business. The limitation and control OF
these public-service corporations in the
legitimate field as common carriers Is an
important element in the practical solution
of the problem with which we have to deal.
Who will not agree with the President
that all possible control should be exer-
cised and all possible relief afforded the
people now; that laws upon the statute
books looking to this end. the Sherman
act,' the interstate commerce law, should be
enforced and should be amended. strength
ened and made effective to the constitu-
tional limit"