The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-13
1T HELPS OWNERS
But Where Does Trust Busting
Benefit Consumer?
Stockholders Property More
Valuable, Holland Says.
HARVESTER TRUST To CANADA
Immense Corporation May
Move Its Headquarters.
What Effect Will Canal Have
on RiverS2
HARVESTER TRUST TO CANADA

New York. March 1S.-In the latter
part of last week very strong intima-
lions were received in this city from
Washington that the attorney general
Mr. Wickersham, would cause some
time in the present week proceedings
to be instituted before the federal
courts for the purpose of dissolV1ng the
International Harvester company. The
question at once arose: What would De
the effect upon this corporation in case
dissolution proceedings were ordereo
by the court? Curiously enough, follow
ing the dissolution which was com
rnanded by the supreme court IN the
case of the Standard Oil company, the
chief benefit so far seems to have been
gained by those who were shareholders
in the old Standard Oil company
Whether the consumers are to receive
benefit in the way of lower prices re-
mains to be discovered
So also the dissolution of the Arneri-
can Tobacco company, which the gov
eminent has asserted was perfected in
absolute good faith, has resulted in I'M
mediate pecuniary benefits to stock
holders. Many persons are of the op1n-
ion that it is ultimately to result in
very great benefits to the British COM
pany. To some close observers it has
seemed to be not unlikely that the
British company may absorb majority
control of some of the corporations
which were Independent, in law at
least, after the dissolution of the
American Tobacco company. There are
no reports as yet to justify the BELIEF
that the dissolution of the American
Tobacco company is to be followed by
anything like real competition or by re-
duction of prices to the consumer.
Should the government win its suit
against the International Harvester
company, compelling in that way a dis
solution of the company so that each
on of the fractional subdivisions be-
comes Independent, would this company
find it necessary to make a distribution
of assets among the stockholders of the
heretofore subsidiary, but after disso-
luton Independent companies A dis
tribution of assets would be like cut
ting a melon, and the stockholders
would undoubtedly be rejoiced. What
the effect would be upon the export
trade built up by this company is a
question to be determined hereafter. If
the farmers of the west are able to pro-
cure harvesting apparatus without pay
ing any toll to a monopoly and at
lower price than they heretofore have
paid. then there will be practically
justification for the action taken by the
attorney general against the company.
There are intimations that in case the
Internal iOnal Harvester company be
dissolved by order of the court it will
establish in Canada works which may
be comparable with the great works
the company have already established
in Russia, and it may be that the nm
dertakings which 1t has begun and
which it has still in mind in the far
east will be carried out by a Canadian
rather than a United States Inter-
national Harvester company. That.
however, does not go to the marrow of
the objections which the attorney gem
do IN he
and management of the International
Harvester company. He processes to
believe that it is a MONOPOLY and ~
managed in the restraint of trade. For
that reason, whatever the consequences
may be, he is compelled under the law
TO ask the courts to dissolve the corner
alton.
The Panama Canal.
one of the subjects which will he
discussed formally, and probably to a
greater extent informally, while the
Fana1na Pacific exhibition at San
FRANCISCO is in progress is the effect
IlkeIy TO be produced by the canal nm
on commerce carried by natural or
ARTIFICIAL waterways to and from the
gulf ports. Already the eastern shin
YARDS are feeling the impulse caused
Dy prospective commerce of the
Panama canal. Mr.. Joseph P Grace
the head of the international nercan-
tie mouse of VIM. r. Grace e. CO
WINCH oil Sduy maintains a large fleet
or steamers operating between New
York and South America, expects
that when the canal is open to navi-
cation portion of that fleet, and pos
sibly some new vessels will make use
or the canal on outward trips to
south America while the entire fleet
upon return trips from South America
will utilize the canal
The managers of the United Fruit !
Co. intend to greatly increase their
fleet, three new steamers having re- |
Gently been added, because this com |
pany expects largely increased bust
ness with South America after the ,
canal is open to navigation. The Pa
cific Mail company contemplates such
an increase of business and Commerce.
as will necessitate the construction of |
two new large steamers
None of those who are familiar with
conditions in maritime circles has anv
doubt that the purchase of the Cum
ard company of the Anchor steam
ers is due directly to the prospective
commerce which will be carried
through the Panama canal The An
Choir line steamers are especially