The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-05-07


mittee, which is vested with the an
cards the citation and examination OF
witnesses, proceeded yesterday In
manner judicial.
The examination of Mr.. Henderson
and Mr.. Dumas occupied all OF the
morning and part of the afternoon. The
company of which they are omcers
manufactures both chemical fertilizers
and cotton seed products and they
were therefore competent to testify up
on practically every phase OF the SUP
ieet under investigation. They we're
interroyated upon both the manufac-
ture and the sale of their products and
the evidence derived from them was
extremely interesting.
Filler Almost a Necessity.
Mr. Henderson, after the formal es-
tablishment of the fact that he was
President of the Planters Chemical and
OIL Company of Talladega, was aues'
toned upon the quality OF fertllizers
made by the company and upon allegeo
combinations among manufacturers 10
fix prices.
In the manufacture of fertilizers. he
stated the use of filters, matter
which. having no value as nutrition OF
nlant life. is in no manner deleterious
or noxious, was practically a necessity.
In the making of fertilizers or low
or CHEAP grades, he said, filters had
to he employed They were not only
expedient as a carrying substance for
the nutritive or fertiiizfng ingredients
buta sometime must be mixed TO pro-
ducs the low grade desired by the pur-
chaser.
Ne filler was necessary. he said, an
the hest grades and he explained al
some length the formulate of various
qualities. He said that in the manu-
facture of products the company OF
which. he was president used KIND
of graphite rock which had no nutri-
ton for plants. but was not harmful
DR.. B. b. Ross, state Chemist, had
been paid by his company to make sew
eraI analyses of its fertilizers. it was
stated by Mr. Henderson, when re-
auested for information about the
formulate used and the methods
company employed to assure itself Of
the qualities of its products. He told
of several analyses made by DR.. Ross
and of the sums paid to him.
Indicted, But Not In Trust.
Mr.. Henderson denied that he or his
company was member of any combina'
ton or trust to fix prices. He was 9
member of the Federal Fertilizer Man.
ufacturers' Association. he said, ant
was under indictment by a TENNESSEE
court, other members of the associa
ton, he stated, had been indicted at the
same time, on a similar charge OF
violating the laws prohibiting trust:
or combinations or other banding to-
gether of interests to restrain trade.
But he denied that the Association
was organized or was existent for the
restraint of trade by the fixing OF
prices, or pooling of interests or by
any other method.
He was also a member of the South
ern Fertilizer Manufacturers Associa-
tion and that, too, had no purpose of
violating the law or restraining trade.
Mr. Dumas, secretary and treasurer
OF the Planters Chemical and OIL Com
pany, was the witness next examined.
His testimony was in the main exact
~ similar to what Mr.. Henderson had
testified He said he was In and was
cognizant of no combination to fix
prices. His evidence brought out
nothing other than what Mr.. Hender-
son had offered.
Prices In Two States.
The coming of A. 8. Wilson. mer-
chant of Lamar County, to tho witness
box In the afternoon caused a furry
of anticipated interest Mr.. Wilson. a
purchaser and consumer. might natur-
ally be assumed to have a different at
tltude towards the sale ana even the
manufacture OF fertilizers from the at
titude of tho two men who had pre-
coded him. And Mr. Wilson'S testi-
mony was of different sort. He ex-
pressed the belief that combination
to fix the prices of commercial fertili-
GERS In Alabama was existent and he
had with him written evidence with
which sae seemed willing to attempt o
corrohpration of his belief.
During his presence upon the stand
Mr.. Wilson offered in evidence letters
which he said tended to prove that the
manufacturers, or their selling agents,
had agreements by which the prices OF
their products were determined.
over in Mississippi"-for Mr.. VIII
son lives only seven miles from the
State line-it might be just as bad as
regards a combination but it was much
better. he declared, in regard to prices,
for in Mississippi he had purchased
fertilizers, made and sold by persons
who offered him the same products At
far higher prices in Alabama. He
spoke of fertilizers which in Mississ-
ippi had cost him $2.50 less a ton than
he could have bought them in Alabama
though. he asserted. they were made