Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-02-19
TRUSTS AND MONOPOLIES,
The New York Legislative Committee In
vestiga tion Discuss the Question
Before Large Audience.

| New York, Feb. Ex-senator LeXow and
| his colleagues Of the joint legislative COM
mittee appointed to investigate the ex
istence of trusts and monopolies in this
state met again this morning. In an
ticipation of an interesting discussion
there was a large attendance of the out
side public. President H. o. Havemeyer,
of the sugar refining company was not
present, but he sent word that he would
appear after recess. He had gone to the
funeral of William P. ST. John.
Mr., Charles r. Flint and the rubber
trust were accordingly put in the cruel
BILE. Chairman Lexow's questions were
directed to drawing from Mr.. Flint some
information in regard to the destruction
by agents or employees of the rubber trust
of facilities for the manufacture of rub
Der at different points on Long Island.
Mr. Flint, however, professed ignorance
of any such proceeding. There is a good
deal of statement of fact or assertion in
Mr. Lexow's method of questioning and
Mr. Flint's replies were in contradiction
or lack of knowledge of the subject Of
Mr. Lexow's questions.
Mr.. Flint stated that wages in the rub
ber factories were the same now as be-
fore organization of his company; that
the number of employees has decreased
and that the price of rubber shoes had
increased, not as much, however, as Mr..
Lexow's question alleged.
A factors agreement between the man.
ufactures and dealers, similar TO the one
mentioned in the sugar and soda investi-
cation appears to be used IN the rubber
trade. Mr. Lexow's questions indicated
that the rubber company paid IL per
cent dividends last year, but Mr. Flint
said the dividend was 1 per cent Then
Chairman Lexow endeavored to make
Mr. Flint admit that t Y stock of the
rubber company was h'cvily watered-
principally water in fact.
After recess Mr.. Havemeyer put in an
appearance.
Mr.. Lexow asked if he had brought the
trust deed of the American Sugar Re-
filming company. He had not, and did
not know where it was. Lawyer Par
sons, counsel for the sugar company,
who was present, said it had been in
his possession, but he did not know where
it could be found.
Mr. Havemeyer said that the figures
showing the distribution of the pre-
ferred stock of the company were cut out
by Mr.. Parsons by permission of the Ar
mold committee at the time Of the inves-
tigation by the United States session.
Neither Havemeyer nor Parsons could
tell what became of the books of the orig
inal trust.
They presumed the books had been
destroyed.
Mr.. Havemeyer expressed regret that
the trust deed had not been destroyed
as in his opinion it was that deed that
had caused ali the persecution OF the
sugar company.
Prosecutor Lexow suggested, but Have
meyer adhered to his words. The sugar
people were then dismissed with the re-
mark from Chairman Lexow that the
only question remaining for them was
the production of the deed of trust. All
other information lad been supplied.
The Wall Paper trust was next put IN
der fire in the person of its president,
Henry Burn. His concern was stocked
to the amount Of 5000. 900. 1t controlled
about 65 per cent. of the business, seven
teen concerns being left out of the trust.
Witness said the combination did not re-
strict the output. CT wall paper, although
more concerns had been closed; that in
the first year of the organization the
product had Increased 25 or 30 per cent;
that more labor had been employed than
before; that wages had not decreased,
and that the familiar agreement with
sellers was used in this trade. Witness
was directed to produce this agreement
tomorrow.