The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-04
10 CENTS VS.. THE STEEL TRUST

10 CENTS vs.. THE STEEL TRUST
Not many years ago our Teutonic
brethren who found the Vaccinations
of the German Sugar and Coffee trusts
obnoxious to their tastes. determined
on a course which we term taking the
bull by the horns They enlisted the
services of the press 1--WE will not say
that the press enlisted the services of
the people) On a certain day the peO-
pie refrained from the use OF aromatic
coffee and meliflous sugar. We are
told that this had the desired effect Of
bringing the trusts to terms.
Indeed, we are forcibly reminded of
our own ancestors OF fame, those ma
irons of the revolutionary times who
tabooed the use of fragrant tea after
the tax of the parent country of Brit
ain had been placed upon it.
These measures were more or less
effective. Now movement is on foot
to give battle to the Steel Trust. We
all have our opinion of that very for
midable business combination. But
just what can be accomplished is par
ticularly hard to get at. If we con-
tribute ten cents to what appears to be
. very serious proposition to defeat the
u. s. Steel company-it is at least true
that the U. s. Steel company will de-
wise a new way to get another dime
from us to balance it, and there you
are!
No less an authority than Mr.. Her
bert Spencer has pointed out that the
evils which we fight against in those
who are in control, have their ultimate
root in those who are hurt by them.
In othe: words, If the Steel Trust is
doing us a hurt-it is our own fault
We conceive that 'one very effective
remedy which has failed up to this
point from lack of support by the peo-
pie, is honesty in government. BY
this we do not mean "reform"-a
turning out of dishonest officials by
those OF Indifferent value-we do mean
an honest interest along intelligent
lines taken by men in all branches OF
our government. A simple recogni-
zance of what our real condition is
whether in matters of local franchises
OR votes for congressmen-and far
better, work at the nominating prima-
ries-- would. in the long run. have a
better and more lasting effect than
a war fund to fight the trusts which
might even equal the resources of the
Standard.
While we continue to act the sloveu
about matters Of franchises in our own
town. elect men because Of their good
fellowship-or. what is just as bad. to
put up men on reform" tickets who
are dominated by foolishness and a
reverence for vested interests. let us
content ourselves by subscribing a
dime to the cause. in the hope that il
will give us dissolution for our othe,
crimes of indifference and ignorance
In the interim let us sleep on and
repeat with the accomplished gentle
man. manufacturer of rimes. on the
Indianapolis News:
Oh. let me pin a badge
High on my coat lapel.
Announcing to the trusts
A. last that rebel.
want a badge for wife.
l also want three more
For cook, and maid, and one
For baby's pinafore.
Send one for Dobbin's crib,
I'll nail it to his STALL
No corn. no hay I'll buy.
And chop feed none at all.
I'll tie to Towser's tail
He's wheezy, old and fat
The badge that shall proclaim
No meat for him-that's flat.
And I shall pin badge
Upon the icebox. and
Another on the coal house door
Against the trusts demand.
And don't forget the cat.
l pray remember her,
No more Is she to lap
Her milk at 10 cents per.
Send quickly freedoms badge
Relieve our woes and groans
Enclosed you'll find the fee
q Yours.
Alexander JONES'