The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-04-01
WASHINGTON
IS AROUSED
Amazing Story Sent Out
By Journal Correspond
ent of Gigantic Corpora
ton Launched Today

Especial to The Journal l.)-All Washing
ton is agog with excitement over the
happenings of this morning in the ma
tion's capitol and on the street corners,
in cafes, the lobbies of hotels, wherever
men congregate, the one all-absorbing
topic of conversation is the astounding
information given out to the papers
this morning.
When the news of the proposed
Rockefeller foundation with it's intent
of giving back to the people the gold
of which they had been filched, reached
the ears of Washigton's blase citizens,
and scarcely caused thrill, it seemed
that nothing man could do or say could
remain longer than a days wonder. But
the story winging its way over myriad
wires to every hamlet in the land today
tells of something so vast, so stupend
Gus, so awe-inspiring, that even Wash
ington that has heard and seen unmoved
scores of congressional Investigations,
gasps with astonishment.
Briefly told and stripped of unneces-
sary verbiage, the story that is hold
ing the attention of official and unof
ficial Washington, is this:
Senator Aldrich introduced into the
senate this morning q bill so amend
ing the Sherman act as to make lawful
the launching of powerful moniei
combination--a trust, in fact, capita
lized at the enormous figure of 500
billion of dollars. 1t is needless to say
that the dignified senators sat up with
a Jerk when the title of the bill was
announced, but amazement gave way to
wonder and mad enthusiasm as Senator
Aldrich speaking to question OF per-
sonal privilege explained in detail the
meaning of the BILL
Rockefeller and Carnegie will gasp
with envy at this stupendous under
taking of the men behind the new trust
who it might be said are men who have
but to crook finger to sway the fl
nancial destinies of sevjral world
powers. Through organization and GEN.
tralization of their financial resources,
the whole people of the United States
of America are to be made happy and
prosperous. Every pound of produce
now held in cold storage by the food
barons is to be released and sent to
various distributing points to be hand
led by retailers in food products.
Through the most perfect system Of
checking yet devised the retailers are
to be watched that the price dictated by
the trust for food products shall be
scrupulously observed, but in contrast
to the present system the cost of pro-
duction and distribution shall alone
regulate the price to the consumer.
Every mile of railroad in the United
States is reported to be represented in
the huge combine. 1t is estimated that
under the new agreements the enormous
sums now spent in paying dividends on
watered stocks, unearned increment,
| fighting employees in industrial conflicts,
etc., may be given to the public in
freight and passenger rates. 1t is even
promised that it will soon be possible
to travel first class from New York
city to San Francisco for $40.
Believing that the war against union
ism waged by the great industrial cor
porations of the country has been
wrong in principle and has done moth
| ing but produce class hatred and tur-
moil and a consequent lessening in
quality of production by American
workingman, formation of unions among
the workers of the country will be
urged and aided. That they viii be
come more sort of clubs or .centers fol
social and educational pursuits thar
economic or political forums, is apparent
if the revolutionary wage scale the
trust proposes is adopted. 1t is pro-
posed that minimum wage be set al
$4.00 a day and no American workman
compelled to work below that figure
This is really to be recognized as sim
lply minimum and every workmen wht
is capable of earning more is to b.
paid accordingly higher. 1t is believet
individual effort and ambition win thu
be aroused and yet no mans recon
pense be so low that he and his ma,
not live in comfort. Every workmeI
upon reaching the age of GO years re
ceives half pay the rest Of his life an'
is placed on the retired list while il
case of death or total disability his i'm
mediate relatives receive an annuit,
Amounting to 60 per cent of his earning
when in normal health and strength.
Setting aside a certain percent of tn
earnings of this giant corporation TO
the operation of the system the bal
ance is to be devoted to an investmen
fund for the benefit of the whole coun
try. Congress win be asked to ad
to this fund and aid in its expenditure
Reclamation of arid lands, distributio
of foreign immigrants in the sparsel
settled parts of the country, re-forestra
ltion. conservation of natural resources