Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-08-25
BRYAN's TALK ON TRUSTS
CONTINUED from page one.)

IF 1t can be shown that in order
to drive out competition, a corpora
ton owning a large part Of the plant
producing an article is selling to one
part OF the country, where II has
competitors, at low and unpron-
table price. and In the other part of
the country, where 1t has none, at
an exorbitant price. this Is evidence
that 1t is attempting an unlawful
monopoly and justifles conviction
under the antitrust law"
If such an act is now unlawful.
why Is he so frightened at plan
which gives to the small competitor
this very protection? The trouble
with the present law is that 1t does
not restrain the evils at which II is
aimed.
Fifty per cent is fixed as a maxi
mum limit. When a corporation con-
trolls so per cent OF the total pro-
duct, II supplies 40 millions OF peo-
pie with that product. Is that not
enough? Mr.. Taft's objection to this
Limitation can hardly be character
lied as statesmanlike. He says
"A corporation controlling As or
so per cent OF the product, may by
well known methods. frequently effect
a monopoly and stamp out competi-
tlon in a part OF a country as com
pletely as II It controlled so or 10
per cent thereof"
Why, then, does he not propose q
lower limit? II the control OF as
per cent may constitute a monopoly.
why does he not suggest that as a
maximum? II can not be of any dis
inclination to amend his platform.
for he has already made patch
work quilt Of the conventions plat
form by promiscuous amendments.
From an economic standpoint, a
monopoly 10 Objectionable. The mo-
ment q corporation secures a practi-
cal monopoly In the production or
sale Of any article, certain evils APP
pear which outweigh any good that
can come from large production or
control, Wherever private mo-
nopolies exist. certain irresistible
tendencies manifest themselves. First,
II raises prices--this Is the first thing
thought Of for the increasing profits.
Then. in proportion as It becomes
the only purchaser Of the raw ma
teFial, having no other market, must
accept the price offered In this way
too. the profits OF the corporation
are increased. Third. reduction in
the quality OF the product affords an
opportunity for increasing profits
Fourth, a reduction in wages follows
wherever conditions will permit.
Feel Pressure oR Trusts.
The business men of the country
have fet the pressure Of the trusts
The retailer has been compelled to
enter into contracts which restrict
hla management OF his own affairs
he has found the terms OF the sale
and payment changed to his disad'
vantage and he has been forced "a
carry more and more risks OF trade
lie IL convinced that there Is nc
good trusts and that his only safety
IL in the democratic plan which lays
the axe at the root OF the tree,
The travelling men naturally take
especial interest in the trust question
because the more complete the mo,
nopoly secured by corporation tht
less they are needed. We have nc
more Intelligent class than the repre-
sentatives of commerce. and theil
retirement from the road would near
serious loss to the country while
few promoters would be the only
persons benefited, they gaining by IN,
capitalization of the salaries saved By
the elimination Of competition.
Mr.. Taft either misunderstood Of
misTepresents the democratic position
In regard to the determination OF tn,
principle Of private monopoly, In hi
notification speech. he says;
Mr., Roosevelt would compel IN,
trusts to conduct their business II
q lawful manner and secure tn,
benefits OF their operation and tn,
maintenance OF the prosperity OF IN,
country Of which they are an import
ant part; while Mr., Bryan woul'
extirpate and destroy the entire busi
ness In order to stamp out the evil
which they have praetleed."
Here IL q confession by Mr.. Tai
that no regards the trusts az nee
easaFy TO the nations prosperity
for he declares that they play n
important part In the maintenance o
prosperity. and no charges that
"a 4