The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-09-15
CONVENTION RECOGNIZES
FIGHT ON FOOD TRUST AS MAIN
PROBLEM; RELIES ON PUBLICITY

with all agencies, such as the Peoples
Legislative Service in Washington, the
Master Bakers Association (small in
dependent concerns whose business is
threatened by the trust), and investi-
cations conducted by the senate or
the Department OF Justice into the IL
legal activities Of the Ward company
and its satellites.
Use The Radio.
This united front was realized at a
huge mass meeting held in Chronicle
Hall, New York, where speeches point
ing out the Ward law-breaking activi-
ties were broadcasted over the radio.
Speakers included union officials, Sen.
LaFollette, and representatives Of the
independent bakers.
The international officials and the
G. E. B. in their report announce: 1--WE
have won the first round Of our great
fight against the Ward Bread trust.
We have blocked the formation of a
huge monopolisic combination de-
signed to exploit not only the con-
sumers but also the bakery workers
and the farmers"
Form Food Trust.
The combination referred to was the
attempted merger Of the Ward, the
Continental Baking corporation and
the General Baking Co., with others.
The move towards consolidation be-
gan in 1921 with the elimination of
George S. Ward By William B. Ward,
who thus became the absolute ruler
Of the Ward Baking Co. VIM. Ward
proceeded then to organize the United
Bakeries corporation which bought up
Independent bakeries by the whole
sale, and then in 1924 created the
Continental Baking corporation with
100000 worth Of stock. In 1925
he proclaimed openly that had been
for some time suspected by the Off
cials Of the union, that the Ward outfit
controlled the General Baking corpo-
ration.
Ward proposed to unite all Of his
holdings under the name General
Baking corporation Of Maryland, with
capital stock of billion dollars.
Finally in 1926 another corporation
was chartered, the Ward Food Pro
ducts corporation Of Maryland, with
two billion dollars capital and right to
buy creameries, etc.
The A. F. Of L. convention a year
ago adopted a resolution against the
new trust which would control enough
of the market to dictate prices of
grain, bread, and set wages. Senator
Robert M. La Toilette two years ago
got resolution thru the senate order
ing an investigation by the Federal
Trade Commission.
Commission ConnIVed?
The trade commission investigation
demonstrated beyond doubt that the
Ward Food Products corporation
would be monopoly and as much
illegal, but thru completely between
the company and the commission, says
LaFollette in the senate, the investi-
cation into the Continental and other
feudatories Of the trust was stopped,
and the move to organize a monopoly
continued under the leadership Of the
Continental Baking corporation.
Continental Under Fire.
Early this year continued publicity
forced the Federal Trade Commission
to once more open investigation of the
Continental, and something may still
be done altho union officials think
that the commission cooperates with
Ward to help him fix up the legal loop
holes in his trust idea.
Ward Hard Hit.
The wholesome publicity and other
hindrances caused by the stern opposi-
ton of the Bakery and Confectionery
Workers Union to Wards various
trustifying schemes has resulted in
the collapse OF the inflated prices OF
the stock of the parent concern, the
Ward Baking company. Last year
Glass A stock sold at S19S per share.
this year It is down to 800. Similar
results show in the stock prices Of
the tributary companies.
The union is gaining members thru
the fight; there are now about 5000
members in Greater New York, and
around 5000 in Chicago. The Bakers