The Washington herald., 1906-12-03
4 Trust ApneaI to Patriotism.

The Standard Oil Company, through its
foreign department, has issued an appeal
TO the American people TO sustain the
organization Of that company rather than
destroy it, on the ground that the contest
in the worlds markets for the suprem-
acy of American petroleum cannot be
successfully waged without ''the COM
prehersive organization and equipment
ut home and abroad. which the Standard
OIL Company has created at such enor-
nous expenditure and through such unre-
hitting effort" It is pointed out that
tho Standard has to contend in the for
eign markets with formidable combina-
tons Of European capital, and that these
combinations appear TO be encouraged by
foreign governments. particularly when
their object is to defeat American compe-
tition. It is asserted that trade COM
binations are regarded abroad "as being
in the natural pathway OF legitimate,
economic, and progressive commerce
These considerations are worthy the
attention OF the thoughtful as present.
ing an aspect Of the trust problem COM
monty lost sight Of One of the signifi-
cant developments Of our modern indus
trial regime is the strong position in the
worlds markets attained by the power
ful organizations known as the trusts
Highly centralized organization and the
control Of immense capital, efficiency and
economy in production and distribution,
have operated to their advantage abroad
as well as at home. The great volume Of
their product and the large profits they
make in the home market enable them
TO underseH the foreigner at his own
door No doubt it is true, as the Stand
ards appeal says, that centralized capt
tai and extensive equipment are essen
tial 10 meet the strenuous competition
which is bound 10 confront American en-
terprise in every quarter of the globe.
The proceedings begun by the govern
ment against the Standard Oil Company,
however, are not intended to cripple the
legitimate operations of that organiza-
ton. either at home or abroad. Nor would
they result necessarily in the dissolution
Of the trust or the breaking up Of the
parent corporation into its constituent
parts If it could be shown that notwith-
standing its control of 80 per cent of the
oil output 1t has not attempted 10 re-
strain the normal course Of trade and TO
strange competition. The oil trust is
on trial, not for its part in Legitimate
economic. and progressive commerce, -
but for illegitimate practices and serious
abuses Of corporate and capitalistic pow
er, which the government seeks to estop
and prevent. No legal means are now
in existence to prevent the Capitalization
C capital and it is doubtful If there Is
any considerable body of sentiment in
this country adverse TO the concentration
Of great capitals provided they are use
fully and legitimately and unoppressively
employed Certainly no one desires to
destroy any part Of cur foreign commerce
simply because it has been built up by
4. truss, however obnoxious that trust
RAY have become at home.
The Standard Oil Company's appeal
strongly suggests careful consideration
by the American people of the whole
trust question. with view to deter1nin-
ing whether some means may not be
found fer securing TO our civilization the
immense advantages presented by cen