In the Clutches of Monopolies.
That is just what the poor are coming to be more and more, in these days of corporations, trusts, combines, etc. Among the most cruel of the trusts is that of the combine of the coal barons, largely of Pennsylvania. They have recently put up the price of coal twenty-five cents a ton, making an increase of $1.00 a ton on broken coal since August, 1895, $1.05 on chestnut coal, $1.15 on egg coal, and $1.35 on stone coal. It is estimated that this last increase will put the enormous sum of $6,250,000 into the already plethoric pockets of the barons during the next six months, most of which must come from the depleted incomes of the poor. The increase during the year means an extra $40,000,000 in their profits. But all these things are foretold in the word of God—the heaping up of riches by oppression and robbery. But notwithstanding these wrongs, we are not to despair. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” See James 5:1–7.