The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-07-16
THE TRUST QUESTION
ITS POWER AND INFLUENCE.
It's Political and Economic As
poets Considered Without
Malice or Prejudice
A QUESTION THAT INTERESTS US ALL
And One That is Coming up for Solution
And viii Have TO be Settled one of These
Days by the American People.
QUESTION THAT INTERESTS US ALL
BY REV. CHARLES II. VAIL.

BY REV. CHARLES II. VAIL.
Centralized capital is the most effect
i've tool in productions: to decentraliHe
strumcnt.
G olrS", the conc 'ntrttiCn of cap
ita into the hands Of Il few enable these
few to reap the benefit of economic pro-
yresS. but there must be some way by
which the improved methods can be
retained and the benefits rcaped by the
people. Socialism solves the problem.
1t points out that organized capital
the results of economic progress can
be preserved, and the benefits Of this
organization accrue to society as
whole. If the people wish to enjoy the
benefit of these great combinations, the
trusts, they must own them. AS long
as they remain private property, the
few will reap the advantage. Public
ownership is the key to the solution of
the problem the only rational solution
of the veXed trust question. The prin-
ciple of combination is sound and ought
to be extended to the whole social or
der. AS production and Distribution
on ii large sea e are moro economic they
ought to survive, but the only safety to
society is in the adoption of the prin-
ciple by the COLLECTIVELY. When these
large corporations or trusts. VIII ch
embody the principle of combination,
are socaliZed, then the evils which
arise from private ownership will dis
appear, leaving only the benefits that
result from cooperation.
The Socialist solution of this problem
is in accord with economic progress
We have seen how individual combine
into corporations and corporations into
trusts, and we ask that the next logical
step be taken and trusts combine into
great trust the nation. 1t is only in
universal combination that complete
contamination Of economic evolution
can be attained.
Shall this contamination be effected:
The republican party, representing
the interests of the plutocracy the
trust owners says no. They admit The
incvitableness of the concentration OF
industry and its advantages OF increased
production and economy, but as they
reap the benefits, by virtue of their
ownership, they are opposed to further
prog css. They would forcibly check
the evolutionary process and prevent
its contamination for the sake of private
gain. They enjoy the benefits OF So
cialism in production utilizing the
Socialistic principles of combination,
cooperation and uniiication-but the;
are opposed to Socialism in distribution.
What we want is Socialism in both pro-
duction and distribution that the ben
efit5 of industrial evolution now nlonop-
olized by a few, may become inherited
of all. The large capitalists, then. in
advocating the private ownership of con-
ccntrated industry, are merely cham
poning their class interests.
The democratic party, representing
interests of the middle class, also SAYS
no. AS the large capitalists see only
good in concentration. the middle class
sees only evil 1t completely overiooks
the great power and economy effected
by unified in 'u,try, and perccives moth
inc but the bitterness and failures that
have attended its growth. AS this or
yanization means their downfall, they
naturally revolt. While their oppo,i-
ton to industrial progress is due to
their class iHterests-the middle elias
being hopcle>sy doomed in competition
with large industries their opposition
to their contamination of the industrial
evolution is due to their ignorance. II
they realized the Ecpeles-ne>s of thei
struggle and the certain bankruptcy of
their whole class, they would Join the
party Of progress and aid III bringing in
the new order Socialism is their on ly
hope-here only can they find COM
pensation. But, like the Shareholders
of Old, they are blinded by their pre-
iutice, and 50 think that their interests
lie on the other side. The whole policy
OF this class is reactionary and tends t.
destroy progress and civilization.
The social st party, representing pri-
maiily the interests OF the prOletariat
class, but in reality the true interests.
of every member of society-nOt THEN
class interests IA human beings-says
yes. The socialist party is thus the
only party of progress. 1t points GU,
the good and evil of concentration and
shows how the good can be retained
and the evil eliminated. We regret
the democratic middle class reactionarN
policy of trust smashing" also the
republican plutocratic policy of ''pri
vale ownership" We cannot return
to the days of competition and small
things, while to maintain private prop