The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-18
MR.. FLINT DIDN'T KNOW
UNSATISFACTORY REPLIES MADE TO
INQUIsITOR LExOw's QUERIES.
Fruitless Effort to Probe Into the
Workings of the Rubber Monopoly
The Soda Syndicate.

NEW YORK. Feb. 17.-Charles r. Flint's
examination before the joint legislative
committee on trusts was continued to-day.
Mr.. Flint is the treasurer of the United
States Rubber Company. Asked if he had
brought the books of the company and
other data called for yesterday. Mr.. Flint
said he had telephoned the office of the
company and done everything possible to
procure the desired information, but had
not succeeded. He, however, produced the
certificate of organization, which was
handed to Senator Lexow.
do you mean to be understood he was
asked. "as saying that. as treasurer of
the company, you have never made any
effort to discover whether a proper price
had been paid for the properties and for
which the $26 900. 600 was issued?"
The papers were not accessible to me.
The appraising committee were men of the
highest standing and 1 had the utmost re-
lance on their report"
Many of the questions put to the witness
We're not answered satisfactorily and Mr..
Lexow lost patience but did not better
matters. Mr.. Flints favorite reply was: II
don't know" He didn't seem to know
whether the closing of factories purchased
by the trust resulted in throwing hundreds
Of men out of work. Speaking of trade
marks, Mr.. Flint said that the consumer
relied for quality and durability on the
trade mark which has stood the test of
guarantee for fifty years. To-day" he con-
tinued, the American wage Garner is en-
abled to sustain his rate of wages by the
existence of superior organizations of man
ufacturers. / think the only way in which
wages can be kept up Is by the centraliza-
tion Of manufacture and the economy which
nection with labOr-saving machinery. BY
means of Capitalization the American wage
Garner r., can compete with cheap labor coun-
tries like China and Japan"
Asked how IL was that the United States
Rubber Company almost doubled the price
Of rubber shoes since 1898, witness said
he was unable to explain and claimed that
the company he represented turned out the
best shoe in the country to-day. In order
to give Mr.. Flint an opportunity TO provide
the books and data required by Senator
Lexow he was excused until Tomorrow
morning.
syndicate. which Incorporated July ].
1886, with a capital stock of S20OO,00O. was
next examined. This witr ess said that the
s the States a of Sew e York s'e and p New Jeysev
but that business IN the soda trade had
been conducted In every State in the Union.
Assemblyman Biddell handed the witness
a copy of the jobbers' agreement for veri-
fcation and 1t was identified a copy OF
the regular factors agreement. 1t showed
that IL the jobbers did not secure the
regular rebate allowed. The witness said
that the rebate was nuisance TO the cor
poration.
Asked as to the price his company paid
the Saliva Company. OF Syracuse, for BIZ
carbonate of soda. witness said. Even II
l could answer, 4 would take good counsel
before doing so. i don't think the commit
tee should demand an answer, as we have
competitors in the market, and a suit
brought by Mr.. Marsh pending against
US" Mr.. Walker said that the price of soda
to the retailers was about 10 cents a pound.
John f.. Dwight, who was next called
said he was second vice president of the
firm of Church d Dwight, of which the last
witness was treasurer. He testified that
the output of bi-carbonate of soda by his
firm was about 10000 tons per annum.
Charles 4. Pope, the junior member OF
the firm or Monroe, Taylor & Co, testi-
fled that the factors agreement in regard
to the sale of bi-carbonate had consider
ably affected their business. Prior TO 1882"
he said, I'VE had a large business in soda
throughout New York State
Senator McCarren thought the action of
the Church < Dwight Company in main
tanning competition was un-American and
the witness nodded approval. Witness said
that IL he operated through the retailer
from 1 TO 11e cent per pound had been
added to the price of his product through
the enforcement OF the factors agreement
Mr.. Pope on being asked for an opinion
in regard to competition said he regarded
the competition of Church * Dwight as
honest" Senator Lexow at this iuncture
announced an adjournment until 10 O'Clock
tomorrow morning.