New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-04-28

findings to the Mayor. nearly all of which have
criticised certain business methods and have rec
| commended many changes I'm the conduct OF depart
ments and officials.
A number Of its findings have been submitted u
the District Attorney and eleven indictments have
been returned by the grand jury. principally OF
alleged Illegal methods In coal contracts and In the
purchase of land.
The last finding that in relation to the contracts
for steel construction work, referred to by fres
dent Roosevelt made April IL. and placed III
the hands OF United States District Attorney
French. April q, for further action.
The report of the commission sets forth 'hese
facts about what is called The Boston Agree
ment." entered into In 1900 by practically al 'he
firms and corporations engaged in structural steel
works in New England
The purposes and methods of this comD"laii0
A central Office was established and placed in
whom the members of the combination reported
to work which they intended to inquire on OF a. y,
these reports and notified each concern report.
enr Teae on 0f the ob Meetings Of the
terested in this particul work were tnen a. a.
an arrangement for colusive bidding should be
entered into. If this decided on an agreement
price at which it should be taken. and as to the
others. -
In order to preserve the appearance OF COM
the parties to the agreement would arrange the
bids to be su6 tie IN m concern to Which the
work had been allotted The consideration Ito to De
the combination sometimes a cash payment
but more frequently an understanding tnat the ser
should be returned when other work was to be
In further maintenance of the appearance OF
competition. and that suspicion of colluson
bids, the members of The agreement did not hest
tate to fortify their bids by false sta ements In
writing that they made in good faith without
f bdder collision or connection with any other
The ostensible purpose OF the Boston Agreement.
stated by the secretary OF the New England
Structural Company and the president of the Bos-
collect and distribute mutual information respect
a admitted by the witnesses, its real and ultimate
objects were to regulate competition and to raise
engaged In interstate commerce. and many
within the narrowest definition OF commerce be-
tween the states as that phrase is used in the act
Beyond establishing the existence and general
PURPOSES Of this coinbnat9n the inquiry Of the
tons directly or indirectly affecting the pecuniary
interest of the city OF Boston. 1t was shown. how
spread character. that it included substantially all
tons in the United States engaged in manufactur
part of New England and that IT affected the com
monwealth. the cities and towns the railroads and
and generally all persons having occasion to use
iron steel for any purpose In this section of the
The premiership le;p Of the Boston Agreement in
The American Bridge Company
The Phoenix Bridge Company.
The Brown Ketcham Iron Works. =
The Berlin Construction Company ,
The Boston Bridge Works Incorporated. =
The Chelmsford Foundry Company.
The Canton Bridge Company
The G. W. & F. Smith Iron Company
The New England Structural Company.
The Boston Steel and Iron Company.
The Eastern Bridge and Structural COMPANY
The Magquier & Jones Company.
The United Construction COMPANY
The Springfield Construction COMPANY.
The New England Bolt and Nut Company.
J. T. Croft & Co
The Smith & Loyett COMPANY.
L. NJ. Ham & Co
The Fletcher & Crowell COMPANY
H. P Converse & Co.
Mliken Brothers.
The Lexering & GaTrigues Company.
James II. Tower.