Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-20
THE TRUST INVESTIGATION.
Senator LexOw'S New York LegiSla-
tive Committee
Continues It's Inquisition, But Fails
to Find Any Information That
Will Be of Great Value or Inter
est - Wall Paper and Rubber
Trust Representatives n b e
Stand Yesterday.

New York, February 19.-The joint
legislative committee on trusts contin-
ued its session to-day.
James B. Ford, president of the
United States Rubber Company was on
hand with books and papers asked for
yesterday.
Hery Burn president Of the Na-
tional Wall Paper Company, was re-
called. Witness vigorously denied that
his company drove a large number OF
jobbers out Of business.
Mr.. Burn said the jobbers were not
obliged to sell at the price fixed by
the company and also that jObbers in
their respective districts controlled the
trade within specific territorial lines.
Witness in reply to Senator LeXow on
the question Of labor, testified to hav-
ing an agreement with the labor union
under which he was compelled TO give
his employees work for eleven months
in each year.
Asked by Senator LeXOw what had
been done with the men thrown out OF
employment through the closing or the
j. ]. Lindsay factory, Mr.. Burn said
they had been transferred to two OF
the four factories in Philadelphia.
Mr.. Flint was called.
do you not believe that it is against
the public sentiment that you and your
colleagues are concentrating everything
in the hands of a few individuals?'
Il believe that in all the human or
CARNATIONS disadvantages may arise.
| am satisfied, however that these COM
binations offer the only means in this
country, of cheapening the product TO
the consumer, and the result is to the
best iterests of the many. They also
are the means of keeping up the price
of labor.
Witness admitted that he or his agents
received the largest commission for the
promotion Of the combination.
How much did you receive in ALP
Mr.. Flint thought $500,0OO was fair COM
mission for the promotion of the United
States Rubber Company. Witness said
that it was probable that prices had in
creased since the consolidation, but attri-
buted the increase i'm prices TO the pro-
duction of a high grade Of rubber boots
and shoes.
When the committee reconvened Mr.,
Flint testified that prices are lower to-
day. generally speaking, than they were
prior TO the amalsamation.
Witness said that the trust had closed
down ten plants. In regard TO wages
witness said that the trust graded sal
aries according to the ability of its en-
p!oyes and deuuied any discrimination
He said that they had paid and were pay
ing union prices.
He then presented the figures Of prices
in 1892 and to-day. and i'm each case they
were higher Mr.. Flint said. however
that the discount paid to iobbers in 1SS.
was much in excess of that paid them al
present.
How can the prices be lower when the
prices you give are higher"
Because the discount to the jobbers was
higher before the organization of the COM
| pany."
This answer was received with laughter
How many men have been discharged
since your organization?'
Il can say positively we manufactured
as many goods as we could sell. but owing
TO the recent depression in trade We could
not run as full as We wished
rs that the best answer you can give?
Yes sir"
Mr.. Ford was subjected to a long exam
ination in relation TO the price of rubber
boots ana shoes.
This end, / the work Of the legislative
inquisitors for the day and an adjourn
ment was taken until tomorrow.