PROTECTION IN AMERICA.

Evening Star, Issue 6262, 11 April 1883, Page 4

PROTECTION IN AMERICA.

The tendency of commerce and manufacture in America toward monopolies finds an illuatfttion in even so insignificant an article as the friction match. It may not be known, but is a fact, that the entire match manufacture of the country is in the hands of a single corporation, known as v piamond Match Company. ” This company have a capital of L 450.000, represent a dozen or more factories in different parts of the country, and virtually the production and price of matches in the United States. These factories are Operated by separate individuals or companify,independent of each other; but an executive .committee meet quarterly, when reports are heard from each concern m the association, and from the general exhibit of business set forth a scale of prices is fixed, . to which all T the manufacturers adhere. brodtictioh is excessive it is brought within desired limits by stopping come of the factories, or cutting down the production of alljpacertain percentage. Owners of factories ordered closed by the ozeoutiwaoanittoaice secured agsttstlora

made were the factories kept open. It Is* as will be seen, atriron-clad monopoly. No doubt I the people pay considerably more for matches than they would but for this ' Monopoly. But it is such a little affair that' jip.onej ventures any serious objection,—The * Lever and Liberator. *