The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-05-03
TRUST EVIL
IS SOLVED
Special to the chieftaln.

Special TO the Chieftaln-
st. Louis. Mo-. April 29.-Interest
that is being arused in the proposed
plan of Leonard Matthews. million
aire banker. broker and business man
of st. Louis, for solving the trust evil
is indicated by the letters that he has
received from prominent men all over
the country in regard to this scheme.
Matthews has set forth his ideas in a
series of pamphlets. copies of which
have been sent to President Taft, mem
bers OF congress, justices of the United
States supreme court and others.
Matthews plan is to absorb all the
trusts and business corporations by
central cooperative holding company
owned by the people and supervised
by the government This proposed con-
Germ is to manufacture and sell goods
of all kinds and do a general bank
ing, insurance and public utility bus
mess. The company is to operate In
perpetuity under federal charter It's
dividends are to be limited to per
cent. The company is to be called the
Eota company. the word being an
Acrustic of Equal Opportunities to
AL"
The letters that have been received
by Matthews in regard 10 his plan all
indicate that the writers realize that
he scheme is not at all impossible or
Utopian and that they believe with
Matthews that the present condition
of business matters in this country de-
nand some reconstruction. Requests
Tor more information on the subject
come with every communication
Matthews is SO years old and has all
ways been active in business, even
low spending several hours day at
Ills downtown Offices He has mag
1ificent home at 5447 Cabanne Avenue.
His family is prominent socially He
las been a deep thinker on business
subjects for years and the plan that
ne has suggested Is the result of care
Jul consideration as to what change
ran be made which will do the most
good In readjusting things and cause
he least loss and financial disturbance
when the change is effected.
Cooperation on a comparatively
mall scale has been found valuable in
educing the cost of living and is now
suggested by politicians" Matthews
declares Then why not have it on
he largest possible scale?
Should plan of the nature of mine
+ De adopted at once 1t would mean an
srchy and ruin to business? There
pre- contracts such as leases, bonds.
Unnatural modes of living, etc. which
must have time to conform to the pro-
,osed cooperative company to pre-
ent large losses. The proper and safe
way to bring about the plan is to set
definite time for It's eonsummation.
should say that 25 years would be
u1ffient.
But every existing corporation and
very corporation that may be organic
d In the future shall obtain a federal
harter limiting its capital and term
existence. At the same time charter
he Eota company to begin business
ndo permit as many corporations as
nay desire to do SO to come in at
nee, the Eota company to exchange
he stock for an equal amount in the
iota company
"A federal commission should also
e appointed to regulate prices. sal
ries OF officials, Insurance premiums.
ages, freight rates and al corpora
ons, including the Eota company All
orporations except the Eota company
hould also be required to pay "a per
ent per annum into a sinking fund
'om which the stockholders are to
reimbursed at par at the expiration
the term of existence as provided
/ the charter An stock held by any
ae person In any corporation above
A1VsHNN HuVutd ht HNAJtAl w NaAA aA
ar to prevent speculation and be able
furnish stock to others wishing to
vest The same provision would
pply at all times to the Eota company
"By carrying ont the plan in this
ay nothing viii be interfered with
I'D the transition will be accomplish
| without disturbance. With the for
sation of the company things will as
lme their proper relation The far
Ter will receive a just return for his
roducts and win be able to buy the
ecessities of life at immensely less
ost Likewise the laborer will re-
sive better wages and the buying
over of his money will be Increased.
his will bring about an improvement
the conditions of the homes and
i ing about general upliftment
4 ssTha dfyidpndg of tha pomDanv In