Monopolies and the People

and the People, by Charles
Whiting Baker

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Title: Monopolies and the People
Author: Charles Whiting Baker
Release Date: June 14, 2007 [EBook #21837]
Language: English
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MONOPOLIES AND THE PEOPLE
BY CHARLES WHITING BAKER, C. E. ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF
"THE ENGINEERING NEWS"

NEW YORK & LONDON G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS The
Knickerbocker Press 1889
COPYRIGHT BY G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 1889
The Knickerbocker Press Electrotyped and Printed by G. P. Putnam's
Sons
TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE TRUTH AND JUSTICE AND
EQUITY, WHO VALUE OUR HERITAGE OF LIBERTY AND
PEACEFUL FRATERNITY, AND WHO ARE WILLING TO UNITE
IN UPHOLDING AND DEFENDING THE
COMMONWEALTH--THAT PRESERVER AND PROTECTOR OF
THE RIGHTS OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE--THE AUTHOR
DEDICATES THIS WORK.

PREFACE.
In the following pages it has been my endeavor to present, first, the
results of a careful and impartial investigation into the present and
prospective status of the monopolies in every industry; and, second, to
discuss in all fairness the questions in regard to these monopolies--their
cause, growth, future prospects, evils, and remedies--which every
thinking man is to-day asking.
The first part of this task, the presentation of facts with regard to
existing monopolies, may seem to the well informed reader to be
imperfectly done, because of the host of powerful and important
monopolies of every sort that are not so much as mentioned. But I have
deemed it most important that the broad facts concerning monopolies
should be widely known; and I have, therefore, aimed to present these
facts in a readable and concise way, although, in so doing, only a few
of the important monopolies in each industry could be even mentioned.
It is to be hoped that no one will underrate the importance of the
problem of monopoly, or question the conclusions which I have
reached, because of these omissions. To any such readers who may not

be satisfied from the facts hereafter given that monopolies are the
salient feature of our present industrial situation, and, moreover, that
they have come to stay, I would recommend a careful perusal of the
financial and trade journals for a few months.
Wherever possible I have presented actual statistics bearing on the
question at issue; but as regards trusts, monopolies in trade, mining,
labor, and in fact nearly all monopolies, there are no statistics to be had.
Nor can any be obtained, for it would be absurd for the government to
collect statistics of the operation of that which it pronounces illegal but
makes no effort to punish.
It may increase the respect of some readers for the conclusions I have
reached, to know that it was a practical acquaintance with monopolies
rather than any study of economic theories which led me to undertake
the present work; that, at the time I undertook it, I was wholly
undecided as to the proper remedies for monopolies, and was quite
willing to believe, if the facts had proved it to me, that they were
destined to work their own cure; and that the rapid growth and increase
of monopolies in very many industries, in the few months since these
chapters were written, have furnished fresh evidence that my
conclusions have not been amiss.
Finally, I wish to place all emphasis on the fact that all the great
movements toward genuine reform must go hand in hand. The cause of
the people is one cause, and those who work for honest officers in our
government, pure elections, the suppression of crime and pauperism,
the mental and moral elevation of men and women, are striking harder
blows at monopolies than they may realize. But if they desire to hasten
the day of their success, they must bring the great masses of the people
to comprehend that these movements aim at nothing less than their
complete deliverance; and that the reformers who labor so earnestly to
make our government purer and its people nobler, heartily desire also
to cure the evils of monopoly, and to serve the cause of the people in its
every form.
CHARLES WHITING BAKER.

TRIBUNE BUILDING, New York City. June, 1889.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.
I. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED 1 A new use for the word "Trust," 1
The people's knowledge of trusts, 2 Remedies for trusts, 2, 3 Trusts a
species of monopoly, 3 The problems which monopoly