Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-01-03
SPECIAL WASHINGTON coRREs-
PoNpENcE.
BY Clyde H. Tavenner.

The activity OF the Shoe Machin-
cry trust, which within the last
year has been trying, through ad-
vertisements in the magazines, to
convince the country that it is an
advantage to the people to allow one
corporation to control the manufac-
ture Of all shoes, has resulted in
drawing attention to the combine in
a manner wholly unexpected by its
managers.
This trust has advertised that it
does not seek to restrict the num-
Der OF shoe manufacturers, and the
significant thing is that nobody ever
accused the combine of having that
purpose in view. The thing the
trust does do, however, and which it
says nothing about in its advertise
ments, is to restrict the users Of shoe
machinery to the machines manu-
featured by the trust.
In the investigation OF the trust
some time ago-which investigation
was brought about by Governor Foss
after much hard work was dis
covered that the snce machinery
trust had built up an elaborate .sys'
TEN Of leasing =: machines. This
investigation developed that fact thai
practically all the shoe machinery II
the United States Is owned by com
bine. and that the Individual manu-
facturers have first to make theil
terms with th;. trust before they
can start business. Users of these
machines have to agree, before they
can obtain contract, not to use
any other shoe making machinery.
At the state investigation the
president OF the trust testified thai
shoe manufacturers could use other
machinery if they desired, but the
testimony Of other manufacturers
was unanimous that as matter Of
practice it was almost compulsory to
use the trust machines. 1t was upon
the charge that the trust exercised
a monopoly over shoe machinery that
the recent indictments were obtain
ed by the federal government.
The United Shoe Machinery com
pany has an issued capital of little
more than $20,Ooo,o0o. In four
years, from 1906 to 1909, the net
profits were $17,24o,7ss. In 1909
the undivided profits were close to
SIG, 100000. The United Shoe Mach
inery corporation was organized TO
cover an imitation OF the stock of the
original concern, so that the enor-
nous profits could be. spread over a
larger nominal capitalization.
What Tariff Board Proves.
The Taft TARIFF board exonerates
wooden manufactures Of anything
like taking advantage Of high tar1n
rates to advance prices. The boards
report would make it appear that the
wooden trust wouldn't do such a
thing.
But the report isn't altogether use
less, because It proves beyond sue
cessful contradiction.
First-That Schedule "K' is IN
defersible; it proves this conclusive
ly and for all time.
second-It confirms practically ev-
cry charge made against the WOODEN
by democrats and progress
sive republicans.
! THRIFT proves that the Ameri-
can people are victims Of extortion
from both wool producers and wool
Fourth-Ana that President Taft's
veto of the Observation-Disclosures bill
was against the interests Of 10000
900 consumers Of woolens; that Ill
was absolutely unjustified; unneces-
sary, and therefore untorgivable.
Tariff Protects Trusts Only.
Louis D. Brandeis, the famous
Boston lawyer, who looks, acts,
walks. and talks like Abraham Lin
coin. while testifying before the SEN
ate trust investigating committee,
showed how the trusts receiving the
greatest protection have destroyed
trades unionism, reduced wages, In
creased working hours and driven.
Americans out and brought foreign
labor into their mills
He exposed the Injustice and fulfil
[ty OF the Tobacco Trust settlement,
by the United States Su-