New-York tribune., 1906-06-09
In CONTEMPT OF COURT.
Tobacco Men Refuse to Produce
Papers and Books.

As the result of a federal grand jury present.
ment yesterday William E. Ransom. secretary
of the MacAndrews & Forbes Company; John
S. Young, of the John S. Young Company. OF
Baltimore, and William H. MacAlister. secre-
tary of the American Tobacco Company. were
haled before Judge Lacombe in the United States
Circuit Court for contempt The offence
sisted in the refusal of the three to pro-
duce certain papers and books and answer ques-
tions in connection with the business relations
of their respective companies and the American
Tobacco Company. the latter corporation being
under investigation for an alleged violation of
the Interstate Commerce law affecting the re-
straint of trade. Judge Lacombe. after reading
the grand jury's presentrnent. ordered the three
men TO comply with the orders of that body.
Although a reasonable time will be allowed
them presumably 10 produce the books and
papers asked for. counsel representing the three
men may make an effort to appeal the matter
to the United States Supreme Court In Wash
ington, but Special Attorney General Henry w.
Taft will oppose any such offer, upon the ground
that the same questions involved were raised
in the case of Edwin F. Hale. formerly secre-
tary of the MacAndrews & Forbes Company
who declined to answer similar interrogations
and produce books and papers Of the company
several months ago. An appeal to Washington
duce the books and data demanded.
The grand jury has for several months been
investigating the Tobacco Trust. and recently
subpoena was served upon Mr.. Ransom demand
ing that he produce the minute books of the
MacAndrews & Forbes Company. the latter
being a subsidiary company of the Tobacco
Trust, and the copy press letter books of the
concern from April to August Is. 1904 Mr.
Ransom was also asked to produce letters from
the same company to the ]. s Young Company.
of Baltimore. in relation to the sale and pur-
chase of icorice paste In the United States and
in the Orient and the leases OF ncorice growing
lands in Turkey Syria and other countries, and
any other letters upon the same subject the COM
pany may possess. The MacAndrews & Forbes
Company deals almost exclusively in the Hcorice
paste business. and. it is claimed, practically
controls it in the United States
John S. Young was asked 10 produce letters
from his company. a Maine corporation, with
general offices in Baltimore to the American To-
bacco Company. the Continental Tobacco Com
pany, ]. D. Lewis & Co. and number of other
minor corporations. Secretary MacAlister was
asked 10 produce four letter books belonging TO
his company, the American Tobacco Company,
to Karl Jungbluth, president Of the MacAndrews
& Forbes Company; Alfred Mellor, vice-presi-
dent: Edwin f. Hale. the former secretary. and
Henry Smock, auditor of the same corporation;
the Continental Tobacco Company and other
minor concerns relative to the same subject.
Under Judge Lacombe's order the three men
will be compelled 10 produce the data demanded
and answer the tnterrogations or be in contempt
recalcitrant witnesses
Although the proceedings of the federal grand
jury room are secret and none of the govern
mentS counsel is permitted to state what tran
spired, yet it is rumored that the three men.
after being before Judge Lacombe. refused again
to comply with the subpRnas and are practically
now in contempt.