The record-union., 1897-02-18
Probing Into the Doings Of the Big
Combine.
Treasurer Flint of the United States
Rubber Company on the Witness
Stand EvadeS Questions Pros
pounded by the Chairman of the
Committee Relative to the Affairs
of the Combination.

NEW YORK, Feb. 1T.-Charles B.
Flint's examination before the Joint
Legislative Committee on Trusts was
continued to-day. Flint is TREASURER
of the United States Rubber Company.
He explained that the capitalization OF
the companies consolidated 10y the trusC
was as follows: Elkan & Gandee Rub
Der Company of New Haven 5000, 600:
Goodyear Metallic Rubber Shoe Com
pany, SI,0OOOOO; Meyer Rubber Com
pany of New Brunswick, y. j., $780,
900; New Jersey Rubber Company.
S2U0,000; New Brunswick Rubber Com
pany S3O0OO0; American Rubber Com
pany of Cambridge, Mass, SlO00,O00.
Boston Rubber Company, 100000; Ly-
coming Rubber Company. $400 COOS
Rubber Manufacturing Company, $780,
600.
Flint would not admit that he was
the head of the rubber combination. He
said when he accepted the office of
Treasurer he found that certificates
were issued in accordance with the law,
and eminent counsel had been consult
ed on every move
Asked if he had brought the books of
the company and other data called for
yesterday, Flint said he had telephoned
the office of the company and done
everything possible to procure the de-
sired information, but had not sue
ceeded. However, he produced the GER
tificate of organization.
DO you mean TO be understood he
was asked, 'as saying that as Treas
urer of the company you never made
any effort to discover whether the pro-
per price had been paid for the proper
ties for which $500, 100000 was is
sued?"
The papers were not accessible to-
me. The Appraising Committee were
men of the highest standing. 1 had the
utmost reliance on 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
yes or no to the questions whether H.
b. HOllins & Co., bankers, had distrib-
uted the stock through the regular
channels.
Mr.. Flint went into an elaborate ex-
planatiOn, but was brought to a halt by
the Chairman. who saia: You are
explaining too much. What companies
We're you interested in directly?"
After more squabbling the witness
admitted that he had been interested
in the Lycoming Rubber Company, but
could not recOllect to what extent
Senator Lexow continued: rs it not
a fact that the United States Rubber
Company paid the bankers a commits
sion of 212 per cent. for selling the
stocks of the various companies?"
The witness hesitated. and Senator
LeXow, pounding his desk said: Can't
you answer yes or no?''
Il can ascertain" said the witness.
Was it not S500000?"
Il think that was the amount" the
witness replied, slowly.
Mr.. Flint said he had no knowledge
that the President of the New Bruns-
wick Rubber Company received an or
der for the manufacture of a certain
brand of rubber. He nevertheless had
closed down and discharged the en-
ployes.
DO you know that at the time you
discharged these men and closed this
factory that the United States Rubber
Company purchased the Colchester fac
tory, closed that down and threw 500
men out of employment"
Il don't know"
Did not the New Brunswick factory
close down in the dead of winter in
1898. throwing all its employees out of
work. when it was offered contract
to produce what is known as third-rate
goods, which could have kept the fac
tory going all winter?"
Il don't know"
Mr.. Flint said that the United States
Rubber Company is producing better
goods at a smaller cost, adding that the
wages of its employees had not BEEN
sliced off at any time.
Subsequently the witness denied
having purchased the Colchester plant,
but admitted that it was purchased by
Hollins & CO. bankers.