The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-01-30
BY G. E. ARNEY,

Special TO The Tribune.
BOISE. Jan. 29-'Shall the trusts or
the people rule?' has long been a popular
stanza with Idaho people, and usually II
was read with a vague reflection of the
far-off east. and as a something to read
about and talk about. but not to dread.
The capital city OF our state today is
the scene OF a struggle against trusts.
Away back in the early days when n
young, strong man came TO the capital TO
attend 10 ordinary business affairs or
politics, IT was a custom among gang
of loafers about the popular hotels OF the
city 10 greet him with open arms; intro
duce him to all the boys including the
cab driver. and invite the whole crowd
10 take something" with the popular
arrival; who. until he observed other
arrivals go through the same routine
would invariably marvel at his popular
ity."
Another early-day custom of Boise City
was the apparent hospitality OF entertain
ment committees when grand lodge meet
ings or state conventions were held in
the capital city.
The day OF the close Of the session the
chairman would arise, and in most hos
ptabe address announce an evening
banquet and dance a the Natatorium.
"beginnng al o'clock just two hours
after the departure OF the only out going
train for twenty-four hours. This, OF
course would require 100 men, for In
stance, to remain over I'm the city another
day, at an average cost OF probably SlO
So often did the men of the outside OBJ
serve these small gratis that 1T became
topic of general comment among them.
But a changed local atmosphere. and
a growing population did away with the
system appear 10 have fallen by the
wayslde. some on virgin soil and they
iys nays taken root and sF9w9 and multi
The mere pleasantries of the past
been transformed into The real neccssi-
bing together their itching palms in en-
joyment Of the extortlonate rewards
reapcd through an illegal and inhuman
combination of individuals, tho many are
suffering through the realization that, In
the parlance OF the grldiron the trust
and not the people have the ball
Thus the great question which has only
been of concern here through interest as
TO the wcll-being OF the eastern neigh
bors. becomes al once a serious menace
To the liberties here in the everyday pur-
suits in which men arc entitled TO en-
gage, only on legitimate basis.
There are great many cattle and an
abundance Of sheep owned In Boise val |
ley which Craze on the range OF the ad-
jaccnt hills and arc brought down 10
The valley in the winter months and |
fattenod FOR the market
This industry supplies not only the 10 |
cal but large foreign market. The chief
IS TO the west. 10 Portland and interme-
diatc points
Probably one-halr of the stock sold for
butcher stuff from the Boise valley goes |
west for meat market trade while the |
other half Us required TO supply the local |
consumers.
In Boise City there are ten extensive
meat markets and as many more carrying |
the product in marketing places.
There are two firms in Boise-largc In
stiWtions-which control this entire meat
situation even down through beef pork
and mutton. and Including poultry. They |
have their slaushtering houses and their
yards and their buyers through the coun-
prices for the livestock for the help In
killing and dressing, and deliver Ii to
tic smaller markets for sale at unit
form price to the consumers.
So Ions rs fair prices arc paid FOR the
stock. reasonable profits made on tho
meat, and fair prices charged the con-
sum'r Tor his necessity the plan Is un-
Objectionable
Temptation, however interviewed The
flesh was weak. The combination was
vance. At first the public paid no atten-
lion. hut another raise In price caused
murmur and then storm OF protests
Tho people were aroused. The public
had been prickcd and at once
r. community awokc 10 the existence I'm
their very mids, OF a tangible active
should have been as much higher as the
cost OF shipping from Boise valley were
consulted and found TO he almost 90 per
cent less than ihis combination was
charging.
Then there Is said 20 nc coal trust
here and draw trust and n milk trust.
All these matters are of the deepest In
forest Ia the community lifC OF the Cap
nal city and the outcome VIII be noticed
With more than passing interest.
RY the outcome | refer 20 "A grand jury
session to meet In Boise on the Slst OF