Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-11-04
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In the Grin of Monopoly.

In the Grip of Monopoly.
The anthracite monopoly has a firm
hold of the country and has gradually
advanced prices until the increase is
over one dollar ton above the rate
charged before the great coal strike
was inaugurated. That complete
monopoly exists in the supply of
anthracite coal is apparent. for the
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 it
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:
us 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 We're prom.
ised last year as 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 bushel, and would
do 1t but for fear of the wrath. of the
people. 1t will charge all that 1t 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 1t will. The
many are trampled upon shamefully
in this matter. If they are defenseless,
the Legislature should be called i'll
extra session to provide relief"
Thus this Republican newspaper
calls for relief from the Legislature
when it well knows that these coal
monopolies are interstate corporations
and can soon be broken up IL 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
ihgs under the civil law that can be
forced through the courts until dooms-
day. The two actions against the
trusts which the administration relies
OH 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 rapacity of
the railroads or 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 op.
posed to trusts and are trying to dc
everything possible to stop their eXac
tions. No trust has reduced the pric,
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 Ii
per cent more. Increased profit, 5J
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
plling up millions.
In the meantime the executive arm
of the government seems paralyzed
and 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:
at 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 o,
persons, to monopolize any part of the
trade or commerce among the several
States, or with foreign nations, shall
be deemed guilty of Il misdemeanor
and, ON conviction thereof, shall BIZ
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 1t thu
President can at once enforce him Il
do so, or if he cannot find Republi
can lawyer sufficiently learned in thu
law, who is not free from the trus
virus, the Democracy can lend hin
several who will enforce the law to tn,
letter.
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