The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-06
Case for the Small Manufacturer

For the past few years the country
has heard scarcely anything except
praises Of the great aggregations Of
capital. The marvellous economies made
possible by contradictions were, held
up as a. alluring4 bait to the public.
1t was told that the cutting off of I'M
necessary expenses incident to ruinous
competition was of itself sufficient to
give it lower prices, while the scientific
achievements in operation would sure
ly guarantee a better product. This
was the argument for the railroad mer-
ger. The Northern Securities company,
holding the stock of three big systems
in such a way as to prevent their ma-
nipulation in Wall street, and the rail
roads being operated by the highest
class of talent, the results were to be
lower rates and improved service. The
i same argument as made for the United
States Steel combine, such a vast ag-
gregation Of capital that the sums in
volved staggered the capacity Of the
mind to grasp the figures.
On paper, the case for the combina-
tons was perfect. But when the steel
works Of the country actually passed
into the hands Of the trust, an element
Of weakness developed Of which no &C.
count had been taken: The human ele-
ment was the weakest link in the chain.
The trust was able to hire the most
expensive talent, but when secured it
proved that these managers and sub
managers were merely hired men. They
had not the old proprietors' interest in
f the business. They had not the motives
to economy and watchfulness which
characterized the men who had built uE
Z! the constituent companies which went
into the trust. From first to last the
problem Of he steel trust has been tt
get men to work it as if it were theil
own business. The attempt has failed
for the sufficient reason that it is not
their own business. *1 .
The same thing is true of the great
combinations which have absorbed tht
packing business of the country. It i
incredible that the Armours, Swift
Co. and the other four or five. irm'
which control all the meat business O.
America, wanted to poison. the people
They had the highest interest in wish
ing their establishments to be clean
But they have been unable to effec
the result largely because they must de
pend upon hired managers, who be
come in time merely cogs in the grea
wheel, devoted enough to their routin
duties and watchful that the output o
their departments. shall be .satisfactor.
in size and their expense account with
in the percentage limit. But apparent
ly, from the official reports which hav
come out, their w~atchfulness goes n
further. The lack Of conscientiou
grasp of the little details of manufae
ture which in steel means increased COS
or deprecated product in meat mean!
besides that, an assault upon the publ
health.
The giving away of the case for tn
packers may not Immediately stay til
tendency to consolidation, but it cal
not be questioned that with the dis
appointments which have followe
some of the greatest mergers of cap
tai, the gloss is somewhat off the COZ
solidation business. There will be ;
tendency to revived confidence in til
small manufacturer, whose trademar
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