It is often assumed that Trusts can be kept in
order only by the action of the State, and for Socialists and Protectionists who cheerfully look upon the regulation of trade by the State as an advantage this is at least logical. Much is being expected of Mr. Taft's promised prosecution of various corporations; he is credited with as much righteous anger as Mr. Roosevelt ever displayed in this matter. But we should not be surprised if the present boycott caused people to revise their opinion about the potency of State as compared with private action. A boycott of such a wasting material as beef must be wonder- fully drastic. Abstention from beef for sixty days, when there is plenty of other things to eat, is no great hardship. We suspect that the injury to the Beef Trust might even be permanent, because if a good many persons discovered that their health improved during their temporary abstention from butcher's meat they might learn, if not to do without it regularly, at all events to eat less. The possibilities are in -fact endless. One monopoly after another might be reduced to good behaviour if the consumers organised themselves.
Previous page
