The herald., 1897-02-18
Tackle the Officers of the Rub.
ber Trust
FLINT IN THE WITNESS BOX
Explains Great Deal but Tells Very
Little
Forced to Admit That He Closed rIauv shorn
and Threw Men Out sf
Employment
Associated Press Special Wire

N9SoSiateu IeSS 0peCldl wire
NEW YORK, Feb. 17.-Charles D.
Flint's examination before the joint leg
islative committee on trusts was contin-
ued today. Flint is treasurer Of the
United States Rubber company.
He explained that the capitalization
of the companies consolidated by the
trust was as follows: Elkan & Candee
Rubber company, New Haven, 5000 900;
Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe COM
pany, S,000,000; Meyer Rubber company
of New Brunswick, N. j., 5000, 900; New
Jersey Rubber company, 5000, 900; New
Brunswick Rubber company, $500 900;
American Rubber company, Cambridge,
Mass, s1,000,00O; Boston Rubber COM
pany, 100000; Lycoming Rubber COM
pany, 100000; Rubber Manufacturing
company, $500, 900. Flint would not adj
nit that he was the head of the rubber
combination. He said when he accepted
the oce of treasurer he found certificates
were issued in accordance with the law
and eminent counsel had been consulted
at every move. When asked II he had
brought the books of the company and
other data called for yesterday, Flint
said he had telephoned to the office Of
the company and had done everything
possible to procure the desired informa-
ton, but had not succeeded. He, how
ever, produced the certificate Of organi-
zation.
DO you mean to be understood" he
was asked, "as saying that as treasurer
of the company you never made any
effort to discover whether proper price
had been paid for the properties for
THE papers were not accessible TO me.
The appraising committee were men Of
the highest standing, and I had the ut
most reliance in their report"
In reply to another question, witness
said the report referred to was slowed
away in the archives of the company
in New Jersey.
Senator Lexow accused Mr.. Flint Of
drawing fine hairs and demanded
Eyes or no. to the question whether H.
B. Hollins & Co., bankers, had distrib-
uted the stock through the regular cham
nels.
Mr. Flint went into an elaborate ex-
planation but was brought to halt by
the chairman, who said: You are ex~
planning too much"
What companies were you interested
in directly?" asked the chairman.
After more quibbling the witness ad-
mitted that he had been intesssted'in the
Lycoming Rubber company, but could
not recollect to what extent. Senator
Lexow continued:
"Is it not a fact that the United States
Rubber company paid the bankers
commission of ~ per cent for selling
the stocks of the various companies?"
The witness hesitated, and Senator
Lexow pounding his desk, said: Cant
you answer yes or no?'
"I can ascertain" said the witness.
"Was it not 500,000?"
1T think that was the amount, the
witness replied slowly.
Mr.. Flint said he had no knowledge
that the president of the New Brunswick
Rubber company received an order Tor
the manufacture of certain brand OF
rubber. He nevertheless had closed
down and discharged the employees.
do YOU know that at the time you
discharged these men and closed the fac
tory the United States Rubber company
purchased the Colchester factory, closed
that down and threw 500 men out Of
employment?
"I don't know"
Did not the New Brunswick factory
close down in the dead of winter in 1895,
throwing all it's employees out OF work
when it was offered a contract to pro-
duce what is known as third rate goods
which could have kept the factory going
all winter?" -
II don't know" Mr.. Flint said, that
the United States Rubber company Is
producing better goods at smaller COST"
adding that the wages of Its employees
had not been sliced off at any time.
subsequently the witness denied hav-
ing purchased the Colchester plant, but
admitted that it was purchased by Hob
lins & Co., bankers.