The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-20
SENATOR LEXOW LAUGHED
When Mr.. Flint Tried to Explain that
Higher Prices Made Rubber
Goods Cheaper.

New York, Feb 2O-At the session of
the Lexow committee yesterday Charles
r. Flint was recalled, and by way of ex-
PLANTATION said the distribution of the
stock of the United States Rubber com
pany was made by the bankers, but that
the corporations as a whole had no
knowledge of the matter.
Mr.. Flint then handed Senator Lexow
the original copy Of the Simmons com
mittee report which had been so much
asked for by the senator.
Where was the document kept?' asked
Il don't know; it was handed me today
by the counsel for the company
committee for their services?''
Il don't know. They were appointed
by the United States Rubber company.
could not call them employees"
ITO what extent was the stock water
''There was no water in the stock. The
stock was issued for value" Mr.. Flint
Were you not one of the actual organ
izers of the United States Rubber COM
u would like to claim that distinction"
''StOp-yOu've given US that too often
before shouted Senator Lexow.
Now is it not fact you were the pro-
moter of the combine?"
Il took an active part
WAS not the whole combination
speculation %
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 human organiza-
listed. however. that these combinations
offer the only means of cheapening the
production to the consumer and the re-
suit is to the best interests of many. They
also are the means of keeping up the price
Senator Lexow then asked Mr. Flint
ST it was not fact that long rubber
boots had increased - per cent IN price
boots "a per cent, rubberS A per cent,
imitation sandals 40 per cent, women
imitation sandals 80 per cent
Mr.. Flint testified that prices are low
were prior to the amalgamation. He pre-
scented the figures of prices in 1892 and to-
day and in each case they were higher
increase as stated by Chairman LeXow.
count paid to jobbers in 80 was much in
excess Of that paid them at present.
How can the prices be lower when the
Because the discount to jobbers was
higher before the organization of the
company"
This was received with laughter
How many men have been discharged
since your organizations"
Il can not say positively. We have
manufactured as many goods as we could
sell, but owing to the recent depression
in trade we could not run as fully as We
wished"
Vive President James B. Ford of the Uni
ted States Rubber company, was called.
Brunswick Rubber company before the
consolidation and added that the rate of
wages was as great now as DeIOfe the
Rmalgamation of the several companies.
Senator LeXow: WAS it not because
the Woonsocket company was competi-
tor against you that induced you to ac-
quire that prOperty?''
Mr. Ford: 1T was not. They were
turning out a superior class of goods and
it was for that reason that we acquired
the property which we considered valua-
BILE"
He was subjected to a long examination
in relation to the price of rubber boots
and shoes, after which the committee adj
aourned until today.