The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-09
THE TRUST TO THE RESCUE.

THE TRUST To THE RESCUE.
According 10 Brother Joe Daniels, of tho
Raleigh News and Observer, The American To
bacco Company, vclept the trust, already owns a
considerable portion Of the odd North State
including, pinch, more than one OF its
citizens eminent in statecraft and perferyid IN
oratorv.
Now, however. the Tobacco Trust proposes
TO take million dollar mortgage ON such por-
lions of the State as it has not already acquired.
If the charges are to be believed, it has for long
time been grinding down" sundrv sturdy
growers Of the weed. the while it "crushes up
the CHASTITY remains of certain independents, with
more courage than brains, who have essaved to
enter with it into competition. Perhaps The
trust found the returns from such grist slow, and
the labor of turning the mill wearing At any
rate, when North Carolina proposed to issue
four per cent bonds and few bidders came for
ward, The American Tobacco Company stepped
into the breach with an offer to take a lump
sum of ono million dollars worth.
At one breath. therefore, the giant Trust,
which has been holding the role of "tyrant'', ""p-
pressor", "robbcr baron, etc, becomes the kind
and benevolent "Uncle"to whom the State, hard
pressed TO meet maturing obligations turns with
sigh of relief
Brother Daniels. above mentioned. torn be-
tween captaning fight for the control of the
local Democratic machine and appealing to the
patriotism Of the people to lend the State money
at losing rate OF interest, has lately had little
time to devote 10 the pernicious activities Of tho
Tobacco Trust What he will say when he re-
covers his breath after the establishment of find
ing his arch enemy his dearest friend is some
thing to which those who know his capacity for
doing the unexpected will look with peasurable
anticipation. Perhaps but hardly within the
bounds ri probability, Ire MAY choose dunbness as
the nearest approach to the expression Of the
unutterablC.
4 In view Of the fact that, in the present State
of the money market it could get much better
rate Of interest on its million than tho four per
cent which the bonds return. are we to under
stand that the Tobacco Trust is at last in a pen
tent spirit that it is seeking to make honorable
restitution to the people whom it has SO gricv
ously dcspoiled. that Brother Daniels lam
tpoonings have al last penetrated its moral hide
SO that il seeks the consolation Of one good deco
in fear Of It's approaching dissolution. Or doe:
the Trust think to staye off the prospect of an
other session of the Legislature, with its usua
crop of antitrust bills and the usual pyrotch
nics over whether the particular deadly petarc
is concealed in subsection A., X, Y. L., OF
dc. Il this money ''tanted"I Does this kline
deed smell of liquoriceI l. it charity made by
trust and without a soul
If SO be that it expects of its million peace il
SO be that it hopes to silence the tongues of TAI
Heel orators stihe the cutlery of the Tai
Heel Press; if SO be that it counts on diminish
ing the number and variety of antitrust bills
it is million spent in vain \ people will starvt
for their pleasures; aud TO deprive North Car
Dina of the pastime of ''cussing the trust would
be TO impose upon it apoplcxy as the price OF
silence.
In all seriousness, the subscription does not
have healthy look -Four per cent State bonds
at par at time when equally valuable securi
ties arc bringing their purchasers much better
returns, are not the character of investment that
the American Tobacco Company would be likely
to make upon financial considerations only ANY
other consideration which it may have would.
under the circumstances, he an improper one.
The analogy is that Of one who attempts with
gifts or courtesy to influence the verdict of a
jury. The American Tobacco Company is CON
santly before the North Carolina Legislature as
defendant. 1t mistakes the spirit of that or
any other Southern State if it dreams that bv the
purchase Of bonds it can create sense of obi
cation which would secure the extension of
immunity.
4 LITERARY SIDELIGHT