New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-09
LEXOV,S REPORT ON TRUSTS
ALL WICKED. HE SAYS. AND FACTORS
AGREEMENTS ARE SHOCKING.
AS FOR REMEDIAL LEGISLATION THERE'S THE
ROBBINS BILL. But IT'S HARD TO GET


ROBBINS BILL But IT'S HARD TO GET
AROUND THE CONSTITUTION.
Albany. March s-The report Of the Lexow Trust
Investigating Committee will be presented 10 the
Senate tomorrow. 1t is a document Of about ten
thousand words, and II presents nothing especially
startling regarding the trust question. The
testimony taken before the committee is reviewed
great length The committee finds that COM
binations 10 restrict the production OF the neces-
saries OF life do exist. and that the aggregdtons
Of capital which have been formed were organized
N nearly every instance for the purpose OF regu-
lating trade suppressng competition. controlling
the output and debating the prices. The report
dwells at length upon the great danger that Is
likely TO arise from the continuance Of the opera
tons Of these ageregations OF capital and protests
thai affirmative legislation should be enacted with
a view OF restraining II not entirely prohibiting
the operation OF such combinations OF wealth.
The report states that the committee believes fac
tors agreements between trusts and their agents
are TO great extent the potential agency through
which these combinations are enabled TO fulfil the
purpose Of their Organization.
The committee i working the remedial legsla-
ton. but Chairman Lexow does not think ne WI.
have the bills ready for introduction tomorrow
One Of ih- bis 20 be introduced by the committee
Will be thai prepared by Attorney Genera. Han
cock last year aimed especially at the Coal trust
but applying to all trusts Il was Introduced last
year 10y Assembyman Robbins. passed and sent 10
L.
the Accompaniment power 10 compel Officers q
trusts 20 tesdfy about their business. An amend
ment 10 this bill WI provide tnat instead OF allow
ing the Attorney-General 70 De a grand iaquisitor
Of trusts and L. issue subpoenas 10 witnesses 70 ap
pear before him before a commissioner 10 be
appointed by him. he snail get authority TO pro-
cecd against trusts from the Supreme Court An
other amendment will provide that me testimony
obtained from witness against trusts shall not
be used IN any criminal proceeding and that a Wit
snail have absolute immunity from prosecution
The committee - considering preparation OF
bill forbid the operation IN future OF factors
agreements the constitutlona.ity OF Ieg!satIon
10 reach such agreements mas been questioned.
Senator McCarren. who represents IN" BROOKLYN
district In which the Havemeyer and other sugar
rehneres located. il the Democratic meinDeE
of the committee the part OF the Senate lie
will sign the majority report except so iar az II
relates to the American Sugar Refining company,
and he will submit minority report dissenting
from the finding and conclusions in the majority
report far they refer TO the Sugar Trust In
his minority report senator Mcarren Will hold that
the American Sugar Refining Company has pre-.
frequent occurrence before the organization or
this company. The report will state tndt since the
organization OF the company the price OF sugar
has been lowered 10 the consumer, labor has been
kept steadily employed and TO a greater extent
than formerly. the company has not oppressed or
coerced any OF its competitors In any way. and 1t
has not solicited the cooperation OF any factors
develop its business or increase the
sale OF its product; that in fact. II in nc way IN
ierferes with the freest kind OF competition. but
confines itself exclusively 10 its own business.