The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-18
"A BRIGHT HOME MAKES MERRY HEART" JOY TRAVELS ALONG WITH
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sufficient number of inspectors to ob j.. tain a sample of each and every brand of fertilizer or fertilizer material offered for sale or exchange in this state. Your com mittee recommends that this part of the force in this department of the office of the commissioner of agriculture and in dustries be increased. in order that true and correct sample be obtained from each and every brand Of fertilizer sold in this state.
 Cotton Seed Meal.
 Under the sen5 te joint resolution, this committee had the power and authority to investigate the cotton seed oil mills in this state, and In compliance with this resolution, we summoned a number of witnesses v'ho own and operate cotton seed oil mills in the state. We find from the testimony that there is no evidence of an agreement between the cotton seed oil mills or showing .hat they are trying to control the price of cotton seed; that the price 0f cottcn seed varies every seq son, according to ulie supply and demand for the same. For example, in the fall of 1906, we find the price of cotton seed ranging from s10 to s22 per ton. We also md from the testimony, however that In a few instances there has been an effort made 10 oons ol the territory for certain mills la thla state which this committee btiieNes to be detrimental to the farmers of As aDama. but we only found this to be true In few instances in and aroun1 Montgomery.
 We also hn, tro,' the testimony that there exists al order known as the Sons of Plato, or-s,izea by the cotton oil i1ill men, who iro the only people eligible to membership in the order. This order 1t Is shown oy tta testimony, Is a secret or ganization. Wn+ther or not the price of cotton seed Is lis2ursed n their meetln ss this committee Is undDIe to tell. We find that In most cases. if nct all, the initia tion fees and dues which are from s25 to $50 per annum, are paid by the com panies of which the members are of- hcers or employees, and this committee does not understand why the companies should pay the dues and initiation fees of it's officers or employees who join this secret and fraternal order, unless 1t ex- poets to derive some benefit, not to the members socially and personally, but .o the companies in iinauc,ai way.
 Antitrust Bill.
 Your committee, after due and care full consideration of all the testimony submitted, and In view of the fur her fact that there E no law in the siate of Alabama by which rny tiu,', i,ncno pol;, conspiracy to control bIsln"ss and rTices or articles and to @ISyol. Inc formation and opera tion of pools. trusts nonopc lies and combinations of charters of corpor- ations can be prevented, we have prepare1 a bill that we believe will prevent any trust, monopoly or conspiracy to control business and the prizes of articles in this state. and present .he same herewith to this legislature.
 This committee has had ti;e assistance of the Hon. Thomas ". Martin .he as- sistant attorney general. whose assistance In the examination of all the witnesses touching their knowledge on fertilizers and other things has been u great help 10 the committee.
 After the committee had rerrained in session about fifteen days, and i..ter tx- parts of the state, in compliance with the senate joint resolution, we herewith sub init, as q part of our report steno- graphic copy of all the testimony offered before us. and attach the same as "Ex- hibt B." and ask that the same be con- sidered and read by the legislature with the report.
 This committee having finished It's ln- vestigations, having arrived at the fore going conclusions. and having drawn the bills which we think will remedy the evils in regard to trusts, combinations. etc, and price of fertilizers, has on this day adjourned.
 All of which is respectfully submitted.
 JOHN w. OVERTON.
 ''FOr the COmmittee" :"