Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-09-03

pearance m politics.. Inc history 10
which + have referred does not sort
we'll with such a supposition. The
International Harvester trust, put to-
'gether by Mr.. Perkins during the sum
mer Of 1902, in defiance of the plain
items of the antitrust law which you
had previously taken an oath to de.
fend and execute, combines business
with politics in a remarkable degree.
1t is not only the most insolent and
dangerous monopoly that We have, it
is also the most insidious and power.
full political machine in existence. l
was an eyewitness to its operations
in at least n campaign and know,
whereof l speak. If 1t employs like
methods in your behalf now con-
graduate you upon having Mr.. Per.
kins on your staff of confidential nan.
ayers.
"As l have said, it is al insidious
and a powerful political machine.
This is due to the nature Of the bust
ness in which it is engaged. Through
it's army OF agents and block men 1t
reaches directly every farmer in the
country, and Indirect a multitude OF
merchants and shopkeepers in the
small cities and villages. There are
hundreds of these employees of the
trust in every state in the union, par
ticularly i'm the west and middle west,
and they know the political necessi-
ties of their employer. They come
into immediate contact with the vot.
,ers, and there being no longer any
competition in their Zine of business,
they are in position to grant favors or
to withhold them as their helpless cus..
toners are ame1able to their desires,
or the reverse.
Before putting my question, Colo
mel, let me say that in my judgment
one admonishing word to Mr.. Perkins
from the president of the United
States in 1902 would have put an end
to his efforts in creating the present
monopoly In agricultural machinery.
Instead, Mr.. Perkins was a welcome
visitor, a confidential adviser at the
White House, and to my personal
knowledge, exerted a powerful inlu-
ence in blocking the wheels Of justice
in the Washington departments, thus
escaping prosecution.
Says He Fostered Trusts.
Further, one word from the presi-
dent in 1907 would have saved the
Tennessee Coal & Iron company from
being absorbed by the SteelStrust. But
in neither case. did you raise any OBJ.
lection. It is the plain truth to say
and l regret being obliged to say it
that yours was the protecting and fos.
tering hand that saved these trusts:
from prosecution during the seven.
years of your administration. They
would be the worst ingrates If they
did not support you now, and ! make
no complaint In that regard. What
disturbs me is the apparent weakness
OF a considerable number Of people:
who, it would seem, are content that
you and Mr.. Perkins should deceive
them: While procIaiming yourself as
the champion Of the masses, in real.
ity, in view lof your alliance with
George w. Perkins, the political scout
Of Wall street. you II a foe to be
most, dreaded by the people.
80 that with the strong hand, to
say nothing OF the strong box, OF Mr..
Perkins and his trust to help you in
this campaign; with an absolute
agreement between you and Mr.. Per.
kins IN a line Of, governmental policy
which recognizes the International
Harvester company and all other
Combinations In the restraint OF
trade as legitimate and lawful insti.