The Portland daily press., 1888-03-10
coNcREssmEN INVESTIGATE.
LAWYER Parsons Describes the Work
ing Of the sugar Trust.
its Effect on the Market as Told by
witnesses.
Senators Give Hearing to the Un-
protected Authors.

WASHINGTON. March 9-The investigation
into the sugar trust was resumed by the
House committee on manufactures this morn
ing. Mr.. Parsons, attorney for the trust, be-
ing placed on the stand. Chairman Bacon
examined the witness in regard to whether
any changes had been made in the agreement
since il was entered into, to which answer
was made that the deed had not been changed
but it had since been required that instead of
new retineries being admitted by action OF the
board the consent of majority Of the certif-
cate holders should be obtained. The wit
ness thought that the price OF sugar had not
been increased as a result Of the agreement,
nor had any sugar reineries been purchased
by the board. but that members of the asso-
citation had, since the formation Of the trust,
purchased tie entire stock Of refneries in
which they had not previously been interest
ed. Being asked why they had not taken
the stockholders into the trust instead of
buying the stock the witness replied that the
number of trustees was limited by the agree
ment to eleven, that alT-persons holding stock
were satisfied to have the gentlemen consti-
tuting the board represent them, and that
large number of persons having control
would make the board unmanageable.
Parsons stated that in the case of the North
River Refining Company, of which Mr.. Mol
Ter was the principal owner, there was no
transfer of interests. After Moller signed
the agreement he desired to withdraw. Then
Searles,. of the sugar trust board, bought out
Mr.. Moller. The par value of the stock of
the North River Company was $350,000. Mr..
Searles paid $325, 900 cash for it. When the
stock was turned over to the trust, its certit-
Gates to the amount of 100000 were given in
1ianO Of laec Inn NO
This ratio of exchange, however, the witness
maintained, was no criterion as TO the deal
ings with other refineries.
Chairman Bacon pressed the witness as to
rious parties to the trust. Mr.. Parsons de-
clined to answer for the reason that 1t was
simply a private matter.
The press representatives were asked to
withdraw temporily, as Mr.. Parsons desired
to make statement with closed doors.
When the doors were opened the chairman
announced that the committee had decided
not to press the question for the present.
Continuing, Mr. Parsons said the board be-
leved that 20 per cent of the trust capitali-
Zati0n of $50,000,000 was represented by real
property of the various refineries and the
other 30 per cent. by patent rights, the expe-
rience and the good will of the members OF
the trust board.
Mr. Parsons stated that the machinery
and processes for the combined manutacto-
ries did not tend to dispense with labor.
John Dodworth, of the New York Com
mercial Bulletin testified that both raw and
refined sugar had advanced since the forma-
tiOn of the trust.
Francis B. Thurber, of New York, said the
price of standard sugar had advanced prob
ably one cent per pyund in the last months
and, if the prices got too high, there would
be other refineries started. He also knew of
IS reiineries which had failed or gone out of
business in the last 10 or 20 years; that the
sugar business had not been alpaying one and
he looked upon the present trust as not un-
natural
James E. Nicholas, of Austin Nicholas &
Co., wholesale gToce RS, New York, said the
difference between the trust prices and those
outside the trust were not large enough to
make it profitable to purchase outside.
Francis Ii. Leggett testified that prices
have advanced about 3-S cents per pound,
but are now about one cent higher than In
September.
The Authors Bill.
The Senate committee on patents gave a
hearing this morning to gentlemen interest
ed in the pending international copyright
bill.
George Walter Green, secretary and coun-
sci of the American Copyright League, stat
ed that never before in the history of copy
right agitation had there been that unanimi-
ty of purpose which now existed on the part
Va oAi SAaooOos n AO0 JOuAo u6Os NhOh inv
hearing was had before the committee, there
was absolute want of harmony. Today,
every organization concerned and every class
of the great American people, the great con-
suming public was practically unanimous in
their endorsement of the pending BILL 1t
was time that the stigma of piracy was re-
moved from all concerned in the book trade,
because they were all pirates so long as the
present conditions continued.
Edmund G.. Stedman, of New York, ad-
dressed the committee in advocacy Of the
pending measure
In reply to many questions propounded by
the committee, Mr.. Stedman said in sub
stance, that he did not think the proposed
law would materially increase the price Of
books of American authors in this country,
but would increase the sales OF such books
very largely because they would then have
equal chances with the books of English,
French and German authors. He thought
the passage of the proposed law would ele-
vate the American taste.
Messrs. Eggleston of New York, and
Walsh of Philadelphia, also spoke in favor
of the bill.
Michael Corcoran, of Cambridge, Mass,
of the Pressman's Union, gave the commit
tee information as to his branch Of the book
publishing business.
Gardiner G. Hubbard of Washington, OPP
posed the bill as one, the only effect of
which would be, and the only reason for ask
ing it was the increase price Of books. He
claimed to represent sixty millions of peo-
pie in the United States, and argued that
American authors are better protected under
the existing laws than American inventors
are, the tormer being protected for AZ years,
and the latter for only IL years. He de-
clared there was no such thing as right of
property to be found anywhere in the an
nails OF the world, and no such thing as ma
tlonal right OF property. Mr.. Hubbard pro-
ceeded with his argument, quoting Lord
Macaulay's declaration that "a copy right
is tax on knowledge" and arguing that
that was the character of the proposed legis-
latiOn.
Dana Estes of Boston, secretary of the In
ternational Copyright Association, spoke IN
favor OF the measure. He Thought tne
American author fully protected now In his
own country, but that he was not protected
from competing with foreign wares wMcn
were put upon the market by American
publishers, not only lessening the. sales. Of
the works OF American authors, but often
preventing their being published at all, be-
cause the American publisher would say:
"Why should pay for your work, when
can use an equally good foreign work with
out any cost TO me?" He spoke Of France as
a country whose authors are best protected
and where books are cheapest, and laid it
down as demonstrated fact that where the
broadest protection is given books, books
are the cheapest.
Senator Hiscock-As l understand it the
only change proposed by the bill in the ex-
isting law, outside of the reciprocity section,
is that the proposed measure opens the Unit
ed States to copyright by foreign authors.
Mr.. Estes-Thati is all there is of it.
Senaotr Hiscock-And it has other provis-
ions that they cannot take advantage of it
except that their books are printed in this
country?
Mr.. Estes-Yes, it has tlese two elements.
As an Illustration Of the lack of conscience
| on the part English book pirates, Mr.. Estes
mentioned the case of a book by an Amer-
| can author, on the pleasures OF being an
| American child. which was republished in
| Glasgow and made to apply to British chill
| dren while the name Of the author was re-
| tanned and the list Of his other books.
| Mr.. Eggleston here explained in reply to
| other questions by Senator Hiscock, that, if
| foreign works were copyrighted in this
| country, they could not be pirated, and
| cheap editions would not be issued; and
Amoriooo outhorc Nnuld Tins ha caourad