Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-11-03
In the Grin of Monnnnlx.

trust not only controls the vast major
/ ity of the mines, but also the railroads
that carry the coal to market. The
trust makes the price of coal at the
mines comparatively low, and charges
enormous freight rates; in this way il
keeps the independent mine owners
at its mercy. The soft coal trust is
equally exacting and has increased the
price even more in proportion than the
anthracite has been raised.
In the Western States another coal
combine has the people at its mercy
so that even that ardent advocate OF
protective tariff and monopoly, the ST
Louis Globe-Democrat, says:
rs the public of ST. Louis helpless
in dealing with the existing corner in
coal, situation that has existed for
two years, and takes an aggravated
form again as soon as there is hint
| of cold weather? Reforms were prom
ised last year as a result of the strike
commission, but conditions in ST
Louis have not been improved in the
smallest degree. A monopoly here has
absolute control. 1t could place the
price at fifty cents brshel, and would
do 1t but for fear of fine wrath of the
people. 1t will charge all that it dares,
and it is by no means lacking in au-
dacity. Con the people do nothing to
defend themselves against the rapa.
cious and dangerous combine? Coal
must be had, cost what it will. The
many are trampled upon shamefully
in this matter. If they are defenseless,
the Legislature should be called in
extra session to provide relief"
Thus this Republican newspaper
calls for relief from the Legislature
when 1T well knows that these coal
monopolies are interstate corporations
and can soon be broken up if President
Roosevelt will order his Attorney Cen
eral to- prosecute the trust magnates
under the criminal section Of the anti
trust laws. The example of one monop-
olist in jail would have more effect in
suppressing the extortion of the coal
and other trusts than all the proceed
ings under the civil law that can be
forced through the courts until dooms-
day. The two actions against the
trusts which the administration relies
on for popular approval are the rail
road merger suit and the injunction
proceedings against the beef combine.
Both of these cases are now in the
Supreme Court and may be decided at
the fall term, but is any one innocent
enough to imagine that the decision in
those cases will curb the rapecity of
the railroads Oh the beef combine?
These two suits. are not intended to
stop the rapacity of those trusts or TO
stop other trusts. from preying upon
the people, but to lull the voters into
believing that the Republicans are OPP
posed to trusts and are trying to do
everything possible to stop their exac-
lions. No trust has reduced the price
or profit ON their products since these
trust suits have been commenced,
neither has the merger of competing
lines of railroads been stopped. for
new combinations are constantly being
reported and freight rates have been
advanced on a majority of the rail-
roads during the past year. 1t is plain,
therefore, that the railroads under
stand that these suits are harmless.
That the beef combine is still doing
business on the old scale and with in
creased profits is shown by the market
reports from Omaha and other cattle
centers. The New York World says:
For beef steers the trust pays the
producers % per cent less than last
year, while charging 10 per cent more
to its customers. Profit to the trust
increased by 80 per cent.
For pork the packers pay 40 per
cent less than last year and charge Is
per- cent more. Increased profit, 90
per- cent"
The farmers and stock growers are
obliged to send cattle and hogs to
market when ready; if fed beyond that
point there is no extra profit. The beef
and hog combine fixes the price to be
paid at the stock yards and so are
practically the only buyers. The farm
ers and the consumers are both
squeezed by this predatory combine
for the benefit of a few men who are
piling up millions.
In the meantime the executive arm
of Che government seems paralyzed
aud unnerved by the hypnotic influence
of the trusts. With the plain pro-
vision Of the antitrust law constantly
before them, the law officers of the
government stand idle. The fourth sec
ton of the law says:
1T shall be the duty of the several
district attorneys Of the United States
in their respective districts under the
direction Of the Attorney General to
Institute proceedings, etc" And sec
ton provides that:
Every person who shall monopolize, |
or attempt to mopopolize, or combine |
or conspire with any other person or
persons, to monopolize any part of the
trade or commerce among the several |
States, or with foreign nations, shall |
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and, on conviction thereof, shall be
punished by fine not exceeding five /
thousand dollars, or by Imprisonment
not exceeding one year. or by both
said punishments, in the discretion of
the court"
That is the law, and if Attorney Gen
eral Knox does not enforce it the
President can at once enforce him TO
do so, or if he cannot find Republi-
can lawyer sufficiently learned in the
law, who is not free from the trust
virus, the Democracy can lend him
several who will enforce the law TO the
letter.
A Straw Vote.
The question Of how the farmers Of
the Western States stand on the tariff