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TRUSTS AND THE LAW

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 20, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 38.

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"TRUSTS AND THE LAW."

A RECENT Thrice-a-Week World (August 21), under the above heading, has the following:—
"During the past week the prices of beef and other meat have been advanced from two to five cents a pound by a combination of Western packers. There is no pretense that beef is scarcer or that it costs more to make it. It is admitted that the price is raised arbitrarily in order to make good to the trust its temporary losses incurred in establishing a meat monopoly in England.
"Meanwhile trusts continue to multiply in all the other necessaries of life. Within the week there were organized— "A Cotton-Goods Trust, "An Ice Trust, "A Hide and Leather Trust, "An Asphalt Trust.
"These simply supplement the hundreds of other trusts and monopolies formed during the present year, seeking to control the production and fix the prices of nearly every article of general use.
"The latest combinations cover— "The food we eat, "The clothing we wear, "The shoes for our feet, "The ice required for health and comfort, "The modern pavements for our streets.
"Are there no laws against these 'conspiracies in restraint of trade'—these combinations of Greed against Need?
"O, yes! There is a stringent Federal anti-trust law, and most of the States, including New York and Illinois, have statutes of a similar character.
"Why are not these laws enforced?"
And then, after speaking of the "powerlessness" of State and Federal officials to enforce the laws, the World concludes: "And so there we are—at the mercy of the trusts. Nobody to blame. Everybody powerless."
Beef Trust.—A trust of four firms control most of the beef of this country, from the pasture to the table. Their business in the course of a year amounts in round numbers to $335,000,000. Another firm, distributer for the trust, has a business of $12,000,000. The profits of the trust are said to exceed $19,300,000 a year. Senator Vest, of Missouri, who was on an investigating committee, said that while there was an advance of but one per cent. in the price of cattle, beef had advanced from ten to fifteen cents a pound; and while the work of the trust is contrary to law, "the Federal Government seems powerless to prevent it." It is said that all this falls heaviest upon the poor man; let us say to him that he may obtain relief in dropping the flesh diet, and turning to legumes, whole-meal or graham bread, whole-wheat bread, corn-meal bread, vegetables, etc. Flesh meat is not only not a necessity, it is not the best food, even for the laborer in manual pursuits. We are not theorizing in this; we know whereof we speak.
THE pope has bestowed medals on the Catholic sailors of the Olympia, the flag-ship of Admiral Dewey. He also sent an autograph letter to the admiral. There is scarcely a day passing that does not bring something to light, showing the aggressions of the Papacy. And it is particularly to be remarked that the pope is doing everything he can to ingratiate himself into the good feelings of this country. And the success that he meets shows that the once pronounced Protestantism of this nation is weakening down to almost nothing. Some may think that this is caused by the "liberal" spirit of this age. But do not be deceived by such things. The Papacy stands just where she has always stood, but Protestantism has retrograded toward Rome. This will soon result in the full restoration of the Papacy. Prophecy has predicted it, and everything shows that it will soon come to pass. And when it is considered that the fulfilment of this prophecy is one of the closing acts in the scenes of this world's history, it is made manifest that these movements of the Papacy should be both watched and studied. And our Catholic friends should be the most interested of any in the study of this subject. In pointing to these things we do it with the sincerest kindness toward all. We regard the matter as a fulfilment of a clear prophecy, and believe it to be a Christian duty to give the warning. In these thrilling times prejudices should all be laid to one side, and we should come directly to the Word of God, and ask that the Holy Spirit be given to us abundantly, so that we make no mistakes.
THE pope has announced that he will soon open negotiations with the United States with a view to regulating the position of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. It is said that this announcement of Leo was read with much interest by the officials of the State Department at Washington. They say that the Constitution forbids them from receiving anything from the pope as such, but that, as a private citizen or a distinguished foreigner, they can communicate with him. The State Department says: "If, as a distinguished private citizen, the pontiff of the Catholic Church can suggest a means through which the followers in the Philippines can be brought into submission under a pledge that religious tolerance and the fullest possible measure of human liberty is to be given them, this government will be glad to receive his views." If any one has doubted that the trend of events in this country is surely leading us back into the maze of Church and State union, let him think seriously of this occurrence. It seems passing strange that the State Department should manifest such a willingness to have any religious prelate tell them how to run the government in the Philippines. But in the condition that this government was when it took the Philippines, it was a foregone conclusion that it would get into tangling alliances with the Catholic Church. These are most intensely ominous steps. It is important that you should keep your eye on them and study what they mean.
A GENTLEMAN, with his headquarters at St. Paul, Minn., has been active recently in forming a trust of the photoengravers. Some of the firms in Chicago that are interested in this business have caused the St. Paul man to be arrested for conspiracy to control prices. This event could not have any significance only as it is one of many similar things that are happening, all of which show that the world is coming into the greatest struggle of all time. The trust is aggressive and powerful, and the opposition is becoming more determined. Men everywhere recognize these appalling conditions; but do you know what they portend? Every one should be made aware of the fact that the end of all things is right at hand, and our minds should be resolutely turned from the turmoil and intrigues of these times to a preparation for the kingdom of God. Men everywhere should repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
IT seems to be the general impression of the British press that war in the Transvaal is inevitable. The English officials are firm in pressing their claims in Africa, and it is generally believed that the Boers have decided to strike before the British can get ready, and thereby gain as much advantage as possible. It causes a feeling of solemnity to come over the mind whenever England is about to take up arms, even tho her contest may be with a very insignificant African republic. For England is so thoroughly mixed up with all the countries of the world, and there is such an antipathy in many nations because of her aggressive commercial and colonial policy, that international intrigues and quarrels are almost sure to follow. As insignificant as the present contest in Africa may seem to many, yet nevertheless it may bring forth wars in other unexpected places before it ends. For these are times in which the war spirit is running high, and there is no knowing what a day may bring forth.
THE present course of the German Government toward those who caused the defeat of the emperor's canal bill, is arousing much opposition, adverse comment, irritation, and dissatisfaction throughout Germany. The canal bill was a pet measure of the emperor, and was in direct line with his measures for the increase of the imperial navy; but, much to the emperor's disappointment, it was defeated by a considerable majority. Now the government has temporarily suspended and placed on half pay a number of those who, on account of the great expense involved, defeated the bill. The affair is causing the more dissatisfaction from the fact that the constitution provides that the deputies may vote as they please. Thus is being fanned the flame of hatred for rulers that is to increase the perils and terrors of the times up to the time when the Prince of Peace shall come to set up that kingdom which shall never be destroyed, the heritage of the saints of the Most High.
THE rioting among the negroes in the neighborhood of Darien, Georgia, still continues, and, altho the State militia is on the ground, the colored people are still determined, and more bloodshed may follow. Just as far as possible we should inculcate sentiments that will relieve this terribly strained relation between the whites and the blacks in the South. And the one thing that will help matters is the Gospel just as it is in Jesus Christ. Men but faintly realize the portent of this condition that now exists in the South. Instead of treating it lightly, or looking upon it as something that will soon blow over, it should be seen that the indications are clear that a great storm is brewing. The race problem is one of the biggest problems that this country has to handle.
GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE has made an elaborate report on the existing conditions in that part of the territory of Cuba over which he has jurisdiction, and takes emphatic ground for a free and independent republic in the island, under a protectorate, for a time, of the United States. This report takes up the conditions in Havana and Pinar del Rio provinces, town by town, showing a general improvement throughout the western end of the island, and indicates that there is not now as much suffering for lack of food as has been claimed in unofficial reports. General Lee urges the taking of a census as the first step in the establishment of self-government in the island, and advises the holding of general elections for the selection of officers for the new republic.
PALOMA SCHRAMM, a little child ten years of age, is said to be a wonderful musical prodigy. Her parents put her before the public, and leading musicians showered compliments upon her. At the expiration of a year of this public, excitable life she is a broken-down, nervous wreck. The place for little ten-year-old children is in the quiet of the home, and not in the exciting, nervous currents of public parade. Parents should think too much of their children to allow them to be destroyed. No amount of flattery should ever induce them to give way to have their children ruined; for ruin is almost certain to follow where a child is pushed out before the public to amuse and entertain the vast, applauding crowds.
THE well-known English writer, Mr. Frederick Greenwood, says, in the Nineteenth Century—
"We are at the beginning of what will be best understood, perhaps, as a great 'world-movement,' and merely to keep safe in it, England must henceforth maintain a navy corresponding in magnitude with the enormous armies of Continental Europe. What has been thought abnormal must be considered normal; for, what with extension of frontier, and what with the trade fight, which at a microscopic view would almost resemble the struggle for air in the Black Hole of Calcutta, it is now with us as with these much-pitied continental nations. As they are armed so, at least, must we be."
A DESPATCH from Shanghai states that serious trouble has broken out between the Germans and the Chinese in the Kiaochau hinterland. Six Chinamen were shot in the skirmish. The German minister to China has handed an ultimatum to the Chinese Government, telling them that unless security of life and property is maintained in the hinterland Germany will take steps to protect her own interests. This is one more of the constantly-recurring incidents that show the warlike conditions of these times, and no one knows how soon the flames of war may burst forth.
THE United States troop-ship, Morgan City, which left San Francisco on August 10, with 734 officers and enlisted men for the Philippines, encountered a typhoon near Kobe, Japan, on September 3, and was driven upon the rocks and wrecked. The crew succeeded in beaching the ship, and all were saved. A transport from Manila is expected to pick up the stranded regulars and convey them to their destination.
THE revolutionists in the republic of Santo Domingo have overcome the hitherto existing government, and a provisional government is now in power, holding the reins until the new president shall be selected. General Juan Isidro Jimenez has left Cuba to become a candidate for the presidency of the little republic, and most of the towns are reported to have already declared in favor of his election.
YELLOW fever has appeared at New Orleans, Louisiana, and strict quarantine has been declared against this place by other cities in the South.