Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-30

He exonerated the trusts and large
combinations of capital from respon-
sibility for high prices. declaring that a
complete monopoly In any particular ar
ticle affords chance TO Increase its
price, but that the same result is APP
parent when separate producers main
tain an agreement To prices.
''One of the serious influences tending
to increase prices, he asserted, is that
of price agreements of various sorts. II
was one of the purposes of the Sher-
man antitrust act TO prevent practices
of this sort however, there can be little
doubt that in fact this practice still
continues. Ii is alleged that the SO
called Gary dinners just as effectively
did away with competition and estab-
lished uniform prices the older and
more illegal form OF agreements MAD
done"
Another device now resorted TO- Ia
eliminate competition he declared. WAS
that OF hiding behind the patent right
He referred 10 a recent supreme court
decision. under which the user OF
patented article may be required 10 buy
supplies of a certain make and paw the
price imposed
Luxuries Regarded as Necessities.
In regard to the progress OF the age
as factor in nigh prices, Senator Bur
ton said that the conyeniences and lux
uries of one generation are regarded as
necessities in the next. Even in humble
homes a standard OF living is made pos
sible which was beyond the fondest hope
entertained by generations that have
scarcely passed away
Better homes, food and clothing: the
desire for a wider outlook. which is af
forded by higher education, and an in
sistent demand for leisure and amuse-
ment We're elements, he said. which Were
adding to the burden of life on the cost
side. although aiding II in many other
ways.
He quoted figures showing marked
increase in the consumption OF staple ar
ticles, such cottan. corn, sugar and
so on, and then added that expenditure
for luxuries showed much higher per-
centage of increase.
Cost of Government Adds.
The rapidly growing cost of govern
state and municipal
was adding to the cost of life. he said:
the expenditure of the federal govern
ment having increased 122 per cent
from 1890 to 1910.
ITO these must be added, Senator
Burton continued. the oppressive bur-
now involving cost TO the civilized
nations of S. 1000. 100000 year. an
economic waste which imposes an al
most uncomfortable burden upon the
worlds resources. The expense Of the
naval establishment Of the United
States for the year 1890 was $4,000.
zoe: in 1910 il was Sl25,li3, III
As to increase in municipal taxation
rates, he quoted from New York city
statistics, showing that the per capita
tax rate there had increased al per
cent from 1890 TO 1910.
Refers to Unequal Progress.
Speaking of the unequal progress in
the different lines of endeavor that supply
human wants." Senator Burton sal that
it is evident that science working
through invention and improved methods
mas not accomplished the same result in
agriculture as in manufactures. Al
though considerable progress has beeiI
made in the transportation or agricultural
products TO the market and in preserving
hem for use. these pertain to transporta-
ion and to the mddleman rather than 70
he original producer improvements in
agricultural implements have been very
but have wrought no revo-
ution such has been manifest in many
processes of manufacture. In addition
he called attention to the growing scai-
,ity Of new lands suitable for profitable
ne spoke of the movement OF population
,ityward from the country as distinc-
i've feature of modern life.
The diminishing supply OF lumber IN
he face of unusual demand, he con-
inued, has caused a rapid and continuous
Increase in the price of products of the
'oreSt -
AS 10 extravaganza and waste. he de-
dared that IL was the inevitable tendency
n every progressive era.