Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 March 1891 — Refusing to See a Trust. [ARTICLE]

Refusing to See a Trust.

In their zeal to defend the manufacturers the protectionist orators frequently rush forward with statements which are quickly disproved. Senator Hiscock, of New York, said in the Senate, last September, in speaking of agricultural implements: “In respect to the manufacture and sale of these kind of goods, there is not now and never has been a combination among American manufacturers to hold up the price above that of free and open competition.” An old dodge of the protectionists to get rid of trusts by denying their existence. But the recent decision of Judge Smith at Elmira, shows that there has been a very firm combination of the manufacturers of harrows, and it is said that one of the manufacturers in this Harrow Trust does business in the city in which Senator Hiscock lives. The harrow makers have their 45 per cent, protective duty; and they formed a combination to get the greatest possible advantage from it. In their determination to get absolute control of the market they compelled one manufacturer to join the trust who wanted to remain independent. After joining it he became dissatisfied with the trust’s methods and drew out. The trust brought suit to compel him to live up to the agreement made with it; but Judge Smith threw out the case, refusing to enforce the agreement upon the ground that it was against the public interest.' The case is interesting, showing that there is often “a nigger in the woodpile” when people, whose fire is burning low. are protesting the contrary in the most vehement language.