Willmar tribune., 1912-05-08
WARNING FROM Committee
Harvester Trust Attslnptlnu 10 De
stroy Minnesota Binding
a= 5s.. TWino Plant. s.5.

Every farmer IN Minnesota IS Vlt-5
ally interested in the Minnesota
State Prison binding twine plant and
farm machinery industry.
The twine factory has already di-
rsctly saved the farmers Of this
State, according to Warden Wolfer,
from six to eight million dollars, be-,
cause Of lower prices Of twine. The
people Of the State have saved two
millions more on account Of the pro-
fits of the twine plant at the prison.
1 There is every reason to believe
these great benefits are to continue
and to be increased through the ex-
] tension Of the manufacture Of farm
machinery, unless these industries
shall be crippled or destroyed.
The Harvester Trust is seeking to
destroy them. Warden Wolfer has
sounded the alarm throughout the
State, and every friend Of these Vi
tai industries should be awake to the
danger.
The Harvester Trust was formed
in 1902 by George W. Perkins, then
Of the firm Of J. F. Morgan & Co.,
who, by the way, received COM
mission of $6,000,000 for services in
organizing it. At that time, Theo-.
dore Roosevelt was President, (Sep-
tember 1901, to March 4, l909.)
From the time of it's organization
the trust rapidly grew in strength
and power, until it controlled in 1907,
90 per cent of the binding twine and
farm machinery industries Of the ma
ton. From the time it was organ:
lied until the present, the Harvester
Trust has been the active enemy of
the Minnesota prison twine and farm
machinery industries, and for a. very
good reason. These industries form
the only protection the Minnesota
farmer has against the exactions of
the trust. With these industries de-
stroyed the market in Minnesota is
swept clear Of all competition, and
the trust has the farmer by the
throat.
In 1903 and 1905 the emissaries
of the trust prevented legislation in
Minnesota authorizing the manufac-
ture of farm machinery at the State
Prison, but in 1907, the legislation
was passed despite the efforts of the
thrust. :
Failing in it's efforts in Minnesota,
the trust has attempted at every ses-
sion of Congress to have bills pass
ed seeking to bottle up the States
industries 80 that its products could
not be shipped out Of the State. If
Successful in this, it would be easy
to put these industries out of busi-.
ness by unfair competition in Mime
sofa as explained by Warden Wolfer
in his letters to Senators Nelson and
Clapp, opposing the Booher bill,
which has already passed the House
and is pending before the Senate.
Notwithstanding the efforts of the
trust to strangle these industries Of
the State Prison, and it's growth to
|such colossal size that it absolutely
controlled go per cent of the business
} and it's unfair methods on August %,
1907, Theodore Roosevelt gave it a
good character as a "good truss" "
land prevented his Attorney General
from prosecuting it under the Sher-
man anti-tru law. ...---
At the request of George W. Per-
kins on that day, Theodore Roosevelt
, wrote letter to Attorney General
Bonaparte, who was about to COM
. mence suit against the trust, saying,
"Please dc mot file the suit until
hear from YOU"
"Theodore- Roosevelt" !"
. The result was that no suit was
ever permitted to be brought against
; the trust during Roosevelt's admins
tration.
So Roosevelt protected and backed
4 the Harvester Trust flom 1902 to
March, 1909. Now the Harvester
Trust, through George W. Perkins
{: the brains and organizer of the trust
$ is backing Roosevelt for President.
In a speech in Boston, Mass, or
: April 81, 1912, in answer to ,tht
question, "Where is PerkinsY'
Roosevelt said,
}, stHe is for me; you can't put {
question to me that will embarras*
me a moment"
1 Money is being spent like water il
Minnesota and elsewhere to carry OF
Roosevelt's campaign. Who is fur
Inishing it, Roosevelt admits Per
t. kins is backing him in his efforts TO
6 the nomination. Is the Harveste
e Trust grateful for Roosevelt's back
J ing in 1907-19O97 Does the Harves
: ter Trust want Roosevelt nominated
: Wouldn't you, if you were interests
It in the trust as Perkins isl :.
= Roosevelt helped the trust in 1907
|. The trust is helping Roosevelt i
1912. Shall we help the Harveste
Trust destroy our twme industry
In a speech in the Senate on Apr
Is, 1912, Senator Nelson stated tina
u4D,...~,.a4 -, 1On7 cr,oy,,.o.on oil ~