What did progressive fear regarding mergers?

Progressives feared that mergers would lead to the concentration of economic power in the hands of a few large corporations, stifling competition and harming consumers. They believed that such consolidations could create monopolies or oligopolies, resulting in higher prices, lower quality products, and reduced innovation. Additionally, there was concern that these powerful entities could wield undue influence over politics and public policy, undermining democratic processes and the welfare of the public.