The Washington herald., 1908-04-27
AFTER PAPER TRUST
Nay Be Prosecuted as I'm
lawful Combination.
INVESTIGATORS TO 60 DEEP
Special House Committee to- Bring
Managers Of Newspapers to Tes-
tsfy-Tarif Not Likely to Be Re-
moved from Print Paper and Wood
PuIp-Ridder May Support Bryan.

The s0-ealled print paper trust may be
prosecuted as a combination ia restraint
of trade under the provisions Of the
Sherman antitrust act, as a result of
the investigation into its operations now
in progress by the select committee
of the House of which Representative
James r. Mann, of Illinois, is chairman
Every detail of the methods Of the
international Paper Company in manu-
featuring and distributing its products
will be subjected TO the closest scrutiny
by the House committee. II the evidence
collected warrants such a course. the
committee VIII present a report to the
Department of Justice recommending
that proceedings be instituted against
the trust as a combination in restraint
of trade
Although members OF the American
Newspaper Publishers Association have
appeared in Washington in force, de-
marding that wood pulp and print paper
be placed on the free list. the leaders
are determined that such a bin shall
not be brought up for consideration in
the House, unless II is demonstrated as
an incident TO the pending inquiry that
the tariff is at the bottom OF the
trouble. Speaker Cannon and Chairman
Payne, OF the Ways and Means Com
mittee, ara understood 10 take the posi-
tion that if the publishers are subjected
to the exaetions complained of, tbs fault
is due TO a violation of law on the part
of the paper trust.
To summon Paper Managers.
In an effort 10 get at the exact facts
it is the purpose of Chairman Manns
committee to summon 10 Washington the
business managers of all the great news
papers in the United States. and other
persons who are supposed 10 have knowi-
edge of the practices Of the International
Paper Company. The officers OF the COM
pany viii likewise be subpoenaed to give
testimony. It is stated on authority that
II the publishers produce information
tending 10 show that the paper trust has
violated the Sherman antitrust act the
paper company will be compelled to pro-
duce all its records. papers, and accounts.
Under the authority conferred upon the
committee by the House. II has power 10
summon persons, 20 compel the produc-
ton OF papers, and 20 enforce contempt
That the leaders of the House would be
more than delighted If the select COM
mttee could run down evidence of viola
tions of the antitrust act by the Inter
national Paper Company is certain. The
Attorney General has been son the trail
OF the paper company for some months
but he has confessed that he cannot find
that the paper company is either violating
or evading the antitrust act
Blame the Administration.
The House leaders are inclined to blame
| the administration for the position of the
party In the lower branch OF Congress.
The House Republicans are facing angry
publishers in nearly every district in the
United States. They want the duty on
wood pulp and print paper removed, and
if it is not removed they threaten re-
prisals at the coming elections The
House would. therefore. like to go before
the country as a more effective trust
buster than the Department OF Justice,
| just 10 get even with the administra-
tion.
Here Is the complaint Of House Repub-
licans against the administration It is
set forth in the first place that Presi-
| dent Roosevelt is on record in opposition
to an immediate revision Of the tariff
Yet in two messages TO Congress he
advocated the passage Of bill providing
| for such a revision CT the Dingley act
as 70 place wood pulp and print paper
on the fres list It is further charged
| that the President examined and ap-
proved the plank In the Republican State
/ platform which declares against piece
meal revision. This was done after the
| President had recommended Piece meal
revision in the case Of wood pulp and
print paper.
| The Presidents Inconsistency on this
question. House leaders are asserting
has put the party In the House IN q very
/ embarrassing position
| In most OF the demands made upon
/ Speaker Cannon, Chairman Payne. and
other Republicans, that consideration be
given a wood-pulp print paper bill. at
/ tention has been directed to the fact
that the President fsvors the proposition.
New Version of Affair.
A new version of the incident that oc-
/
| Saturday, when Herman Ridder and
other members of the American News
| paper Publishers Association called there.
was given publicity yesterday.
/ It was reported originally that the con-
veTsation between the Speaker and Mr.
/ Ridder was decidedly animated, culminat-
/ ing when Mr. Cannon exclaimed, with q
good deal OF heat "Ridder, yen have
branded me all over the country as a
/ faker"
/ Then. # was related. Mr.. Ridder, re-
Piled; IF you are not fake, Mr.. Speak
| er, you will permit the Stevens bill to
come up in the House"
| There was a good deal more to the
| incident, 1t was stated yesterday by a
gentleman who was present at the con
! ference. Mr.. Ridder, il is reported,
/ bluntly informed the Speaker that If Con-
| gress adjourned without placing wood
pulp and print paper on the free list that
he (Ridderl would support Bryan. and
/ contribute 100000 to his campaign fund.
Fire Does Little Damage.
Fire of unknown origin damaged the
building and contents at PIG Tenth street