The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-04-14
EVIDENCE NOT
STRONG ENOUGH
So Far Proceedings Have Not
Been Commenced Against
the Paper Trust.
B0NAPARTE SENDS LETTER
REPLY I'M PART TO RESOLUTION
OF SPEAKER CANNON.

Washington. April 13-rhe attorney
general today sent to Speaker Cannon
letter in reply to the house resolu-
ton asking what steps have been taken
by the government to investigate the
alleged combination of wood pulp or
print paper manufacturers The at
torney general says an investigation is
in progress. but no evidence has yet
been obtained to justify legal proceed
ings. He says that when the investi-
cation and the report thereon are com
pieted he will submit them without de-
lay If he can do so without affecting
the interests of justice, but that if the
investigation should lead to civil or
criminal proceedings il may be eXpedi-
ent 10 temporarily withhold from the
public the evidence and information.
Mr.. 5onaparate's Letter,
The attorney generals letter fol-
lows:
In response TO a resolution of the
house of representatives No. 800 trans
mitted to me under date Of April g..
1908 I have the honor 10 state that
several weeks ago all evidence and in
formation relating to its subject mat
ter in the possession of this depart
ment were referred to the United States
attorney of the appropriate district,
with orders TO make or have made by
a grand jury of the said district a
thorough investigation of the matters
in question The said United States
attorney was further instructed, if suf-
ficient evidence could be thus obtain
ed. 10 institute at once suitable pro-
ceedings in the federal court having
jurisdiction in the premises, with a
view to Furnishing any offending par
ties and to secure in future strict ODE
dience in this respect to the statute of
the United States generally known as
the Sherman antitrust law.
Investigation Being Continued.
Up to the present time no evidence
could be obtained by the officers of
this department sufficient To justify
the institution of legal proceedings,
either civil or criminal. against any
alleged combina ton of wood pulp or
print paper manufacturers. The infor-
nation obtained, however, justifies fur
Their investigation of the facts, and
such investigation is in progress.
1t would be inexpedient at the pres
ent stage of this investigation to dis
close to the public specifically what
steps have been taken or what action
is contemplated by the department with
respect TO matters mentioned in the
said resolution. AS above stated, these
matters have been referred to a Unit
ed States attorney for further inquiry,
and possible action I'm his judicial dis
trtct, and &c would be- in my opinion,
incompatible with the public service 70
require him to suspend this inquiry SC
that the papers in his possession might
be transmitted to the house of rep
resentatives and inadvisable, in the
interest of justice, TO make public al
this time the precise information i'm the
possession AZ said prosecuting officer
Certain Facts Submitted.
1T is proper for me to say in this
connection that certain alleged facts
were submitted TO the department when
the above mentioned investigation was
commenced which apparently author
lied the belief that serious and read
ily proved offenses against the laws OF
the United States had been committed
in the premises. and immediate action
by the appropriate officer was thereon
promptly ordered; but these orders dis
closed that no legal proof could be Sc
cured of the alleged Offenses, the evil
dence relied upon to establish them
turning out ia be merely hearsay, and
the complainant himself, who had fur
nished this information, refusing TO give
the name of a witness supposed TO have
personaI knowledge of the said facts
Before taking action under the social
ed antitrust law il has been the I'M
VARYING practice of this department tc
very thoroughly sift the allegations OF
such complaints. and the considerable
proportion OF successful prosecutions
under the said statute seems to justify
this practice.
Prices Were Boosted.
In this instance information so as
aforesaid furnished, when so sifted
showed an undoubted, general and con-
siderable increase in the prices OF GER
tain kinds of paper. but that such in
crease was due to any contract, com
bination or conspiracy in restraint OF
trade was matter of conjecture and
suspicion. though il seemed probable
that proof TO establish this might be