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Anti-trust collusion is basically hiding profit making assets in non-profit trust entities in which the benefactor or grantor retains control for his own benefit. In the [[United States]] it is [[illegal]] under the [[Sherman Anti-Trust Act]], although the law has historically been selectively enforced.

Anti-trust collusion is basically hiding profit making assets in non-profit trust entities in which the benefactor or grantor retains control for his own benefit. In the [[United States]] it is [[illegal]] under the [[Sherman Anti-Trust Act]], although the law has historically been selectively enforced.

[[John D. Rockefeller]] was notorious for colluding with railroads to deny competitors transport of their product,<ref>In other words, he would pay railroads more, above market price, to transport his oil and deny service to smaller competitors. The volume of his product allowed him to operate on a slim profit margin. Even if a smaller competitor could pay the artificial higher transport fees created by Rockefeller's collusion with the railroads, it wiped out their profit. Ultimately, the smaller companies had to sell out to Rockefeller, making Standard Oil even bigger and more monopolistic. Once all competition is eliminated, Rockefeller than could raise prices and gouge the public at will.</ref> and drive mom n' pop oil producers out of business. He was accused of unfair trade practices. Rockefeller held most all of his assets in [[Trust]]. For this, a body of [[Antitrust]] law grew up.

[[John D. Rockefeller]] was notorious for colluding with railroads to deny competitors transport of their product,<ref>In other words, he would pay railroads more, above market price, to transport his oil and deny service to smaller competitors. The volume of his product allowed him to operate on a slim profit margin. Even if a smaller competitor could pay the artificial higher transport fees created by Rockefeller's collusion with the railroads, it wiped out their profit. Ultimately, the smaller companies had to sell out to Rockefeller, making Standard Oil even bigger and more monopolistic. Once all competition is eliminated, Rockefeller than could raise prices and gouge the public at will.</ref> and drive mom n' pop oil producers out of business. He was accused of unfair trade practices. Rockefeller held most all of his assets in [[Trust]], making himself both the [[grantor]] and [[beneficiary]]. For this, a body of [[Antitrust]] law grew up.

Rockefeller became so rich in the oil businesss, and so dominant as a monopoly, he began buying up businesses outside the oil industry. Having little knowledge how some of the businesses operated, and fearful the managers might rip him off, Rockefeller held these entities in Trust. Soon Rockefeller owned every business in whole towns, held in Trust, making himself both the [[grantor]] and [[beneficiary]].  

Rockefeller became so rich in the oil businesss, and so dominant as a monopoly, he began buying up businesses outside the oil industry. Having little knowledge how some of the businesses operated, and fearful the managers might rip him off, Rockefeller held these entities in Trust. Soon Rockefeller owned every business in whole towns, held in Trust.

This state of affairs created tremendous public resentment. People felt they were being denied the opportunity to compete. Ida Tarbell asserted Rockefeller gained his monopoly control by collusion and unfair practices. A [[populist]] movement was spawned of Trust Busters running for Congress, vowing support for the little guy - small business, and to end unfair trade practices. [[Marxist]]s piggybacked on this anti-big business sentiment with [[class warfare]].

This state of affairs created tremendous public resentment. People felt they were being denied the opportunity to compete. Ida Tarbell asserted Rockefeller gained his monopoly control by collusion and unfair practices. A [[populist]] movement was spawned of Trust Busters running for Congress, vowing support for the little guy - small business, and to end unfair trade practices. [[Marxist]]s piggybacked on this anti-big business sentiment with [[class warfare]].