The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-21
FRYE SHIPPING BILL
HEARINGS CONTINUED BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE.
Littisheld Looks Into the o0'A Organization" of the oo.u
 Manufacturers Wno A
 Opposing the Measure
Advertiser Bureau.
 CN,Aradn Building,

Advertiser Bureau, Colorado Building.
 washington. March 20. The House Committee on Mercnaht Ma- rine and Fisheries Friday a," con.a .Ss hearings on the Fry bill' 1ss,,a,ras. Yss eoastwise trade laws to the fn,npps .Sa. ua.- I lands after July l. 1905. Except that oec. rets ~ cS wac Taft will be heard on next Monday. this will close the testimony pe- fore the Committee. Gideon F. Holmes, Treasurer or tnS Plymouth Cordage Co.,, or vNa.,' Macs. took the position that the passage of this bill would cause such an increase in freight rates as that the nenip ..1 nu | try in the United States would De en. s iy destroyed on account or oshsn s owas oy.a petition. Representative Littleneid caneo | the attention of the witness to the so- ciai crganixation'' existing among tne cordage manufacturers. as testinso 70 py Mr. Loring, President of the FLymouan Cordage CO, before the Senate ComInit. tee. and inquired if he was memner or it, to which the witness replied m the at- l firmative.
 At the meetings of this social organ. ization' the prices are discusseo ano agreed upon, ana you can make the prices l to suit yourselves, can you notT tn- quired Representative Littleheld. "Qf course, prices are discussed, put there is nothing binding on the manufac- turers present at the meeting. answered Mir Holmes.
 What is the purpose of these 'sociaP meetinEs?' continued MT. Littleneid- "To confer on the course of the mar ket, contracts and things Of that na- ture." responded the witness. And incidentally discuss the question | of the price to be fixed to the consumer. l I presume" continued Mfr. Littiefield.
 'There is no universal price hxed." re- piled the witness.
 "Is MT. Loripg a member of this organ ization," asked Mir. Littiefeid. T don't think he ever attended a meet ing of it,'' replied MT. Holmes.
 'Then he didn't know what he was talking about before the Senate Commit tee," sharply retorted Mir. Littlefeld. Vigorous questioning from members of the Committee brought out the fact that cordage is frequently sold for export three-eights of a cent per pound cheaper than to domestic consumers.
 MT. Pierre J. Smith. senior member of the firm of smith and Schipper cord age brokerage firm of New York follow ed. He read a lengthy typewritten state ment of the number and tonnage of tho different American vessels that were now engaged In foreign trade. the most of which he condemned as unDt for the Philippine trade. either on account of their great draught or because of their age, which rendered them non-insurabie in reliable marine insurance companies. Among others the witness mentioned the Minnewaska and Minnetonka, which are new vessels, saying that the underwriters declined to carry insurance on them. Did you ever talk with any one in re- Iation to it7'' inquired Mir. Littlefield.
 No. sir" responded Mir. Smith, ''this came from an insurance company of Philadelphia. Mir. Wilson of Edward H. Filter & O.. of Philadelphia. Is my au- thority."
 wen, Mir. Wilson, and the firm of which he Is a member, are cordage men, are they notr asked Mir. Littlefield, tI which the witness responded in the af- flrmative.
 IIs 1t not a fact that these two steam ships, the Minnewaska and the Minne- tonka, were built on the Great Lakes t1 be transferred to the salt water trader asked Representative Minor of Wisconsin, who Is himself engaged in the lake carry ing trade.
 That is what I understand" replied the witness, "but am informed that they are not it for the Philippine trade"
 Do you mean to say that they can't l build ship up on the lakes that would be entirely safe and seaworthy?" con. tinued Mir. Minor.
 NO. sir; wouldn't say that" Don't you think that from the infor- nation this committee has before 1t or that subject, you are 8 little brash ir your comment upon the unfitness of the | two steamers?" insisted Mir. Minor. Mir Smith was vigorously questioned by members of the committee to ascertain his personal knowledge of the draught of the various vessels he had spoken of which brought out the fact that his in' formation was wholly second.hapded coming from the cordage interests oppos- | ing the bill. and one Claude puvall.
 'Ts that the man, who represents the Merchants Association of New York? | asked Representative Lttlefield. "Yes, sir." replied MT. Smith.
 "And Gustav H. Schwab. the New York agent of the North German Lloyd Steam ship Company. is the First Vice-President of the Association, representing the for eign steamship companies. is he not?' asked Representative Littleneld, to which the witness again replied in the afiirma' 1 tive.
 Mr. Henry ". Peabody of Boston and | New York said that in his opinion tho | passage of the bill would do much more | damage to the eordage interests than U
 would benefit American shipping.
 "But the cordage people simply add tht
 increased cost to the consumer, 50 how