Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1891 — Tariff Shot. [ARTICLE]

Tariff Shot.

In February, 1890, the manufacturers of axes met to form a trust The outcome of this meeting was the consolidation of the manufacturers of axes under the name of the American Ax and Tool Company. On March 27, 1890, the Iron Age said: “The general feeling among the trade is that the ax-makers have formed a very strong ‘association,’ and have complete control of the market, or so nearly so that theoutside makers will have scarcely any appreciable effect on prices. It is found that scarcely any orders can be placed with outside manufacturers who are not under the control of the American Ax and Tool Company. The trade will do well to note the changed condition in this line of goods as regards the higer prices now ruling, and the strong probability of their maintenance for Some time to come. On first quality goods an advance is now made of $1.75 to $2.25. ” Before the formation of this trust the met wholesale prices of the best brands of first quality axes were $5.25 to $6 per dozen, or As soon as the trust was formed the iprices were raised as shown by the Iron Age, and first quality axes are sold now at $7 to $7.50 per dozen, or