The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-02-18
TRUSTS CONGlLIA20RY
Havermeyer and Flint Will
Tell Little LexoW as
Much as They
Choose,
PROPERTY NOT DESTROYED
Continuation Of the Evidence About
Rubber-Labor Not Forced
Down.
PROPERTY Nof DESTROYED

NEW 1Oflhs req. los lost-lue l<tSlS-
lative Committee investigating trusts and
monopolies in this State, resumed its ses-
sion this morning. In anticipation of an
interesting session there was a large at
tendance. Previous to the opening of the
days inquiry a young man from the Office
of the counsel for the American Sugar
Refining Company arrived and informed
Mr.. Lexow that Mr.. H o. Havemeyer,
the head of the American Sugar Refining
Co., could not be present at the morn
ing's session as he had gone to attend the
funeral of the late William P. St.. John.
Treasurer of the Democratic National
Committee In the late campaign.
Mr.. Parsons, of the law firm repre-
senting the American Sugar Refining
Company, subsequently put in an ap-
pearance and informed Senator Lexow
that at a meeting of the directors of the
company, held yesterday, he had been au-
thorized to present the committee with
the agreement in regard to the purchase
of the Philadelphia concerns, and the in
formation the committee wanted regard
ing labor and the taxes paid by the COM
pany. Mr.. Parsons then accordingly pre-
sented the documents. Mr.. Lexow said
they would like Mr. Havemeyer to be
present before the documents were put in
evidence. Mr.. Parsons said he would be
on hand after recess.
Mr.. Charles r. Flint then took the
stand. He was asked If he had secured
the figures with regard to the wages paid
by the United States Rubber Company
and competitive companies. Mr.. Flint
was unable to secure all the details and
he was then asked if any one in the en-
ploy of the United States Rubber Com
pany had destroyed the facilities for the
manufacture of rubber on Long Island.
Il know nothing about any such thing"
replied Mr.. Flint
@Do you know man named Joseph w.
Elverson?,
ssYes, sir
What relation does he bear to the
United States Rubber Company?"
He was not director
well. what connection had he with
the company?"
He may have held stock in it,
Do you know a man named Gardiner"
81 cannot recall him."
Did the United States Rubber Com
pany destroy any property in Brook
haven?''
Has the United States Rubber Com
pany any interest in Brookhaven?'
Yes, it had an interest in the Brook
haven Rubber Shoe Company
How much of<the stock do you own?"
1--WE owned the entire stock
do you remember any incident that
occurred on October 30 1ast?'
81 do not
The witness said that the U. S. Rubber
Co. bought the stock and afterwards
sold it to Mr.. Elyerson
why did you sell it?'
well. Mr.. Elyerson wanted to buy it
and we sold it,
did not Mr.. Elverson dismantle the
plant?''
Il don't think so: the factory was
running up to a short time ago."
did not Mr.. Elverson agree not to
manufacture rubber boots and shoes in
opposition to the U. s. Rubber Coz"
mot to my knowledge"
sWill you swear that Mr.. Elverson did
not purchase the company on these con-
ditions?"
Il know nothing about it,
Now, is it not true rnat in July last
year the q. s. Rubber Co. issued an
order closing that factory throwing 500
men out of employment?'
Ihat, cannot be so. for the company
controlled by him more than year ago.
..4s M mere ls the office of your company"
1T is at 50 Reade street,
Was not the order to close the Brook
maven Company issued from that ofIiee?'
Not to my knowledge
NOW, don't you remember that it was
plant of the Brookhaven COMPANY after
Mr. Elverson bought it?'
Il have no knowledge of such a thing"
Have you any branch of the business
which provides for the destruction of
property
T can't ascertain; don't know"
Now give us the rate of wages paid by
the company for the last six months and
tne number of men empioyed?''
AS to wages, our employees are paid
by the piece work.
Is there any agreement between your
Company of Setaucket?''
Not to my knowledge"
nave there been any negotiations 60
well ! believe there are no
gofiatlons for an arrangement by which
Mr. ElverSOn, of the Liberty Rubber
Shoe Company of setaucket. could in
act as selling agents. I"
Has the negotiation been fnished?"
Are you waiting until this investiga-
ment?'
mot at all, SIR
Mr.. Flint then explained that the manu-
facture of rubber goods was injured bv
the production of inferior rubber shoes
DO you approve of the proposed agree
ment?''
mo, sir, do not
Do you believe in open aggressive COM
petition in your business?',
Yes, sir; but the truth is that small
factories produce inferior goods which in
jures the business in general
Mr.. Flint said that the proposition was
that Mr.. Elverson was to control the
sale of the goods.
Does the United States Rubber Cam
pany ever make advances to companies
1t acts for as selling agent?'
Yes, SIR
Does this advance not mean that the
United States Rubber Company shall
control the whole of the output Of the
factory to which money is advanced?''
No, sir
Do understand you to mean that the
United States Rubber Company would
advance money to factories and yet hot
T don't know
Now do you want us to believe that
any such insane proposition would be
entertained for a moment by the United
States Rubber Company
think that If the United States Rub
Der Company advances money it would
desire to facilitate business.
Chairman LexOW tried to get Mr.. Flint
to admit that whenever the United States
Rubber Company advanced money to fac
tories II did so for the purpose of con-