Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-03
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
DECLARE OPEN WAR.
Fi|ibuSter to the Limit Is AvoWed Plan
Of Williams --beaten to a Stand
still In the Game Thursday.
THE PAPER QUESTION.

HE FAHEh QOE0 IONs
Washington, April Fin his capacity
as member of the House, Speaker
Cannon today introduced a resolution
directing the attorney general to trans-
nit to the House papers bearing upon
the investigation into the affairs of
the print paper trust. The resolution
follows:
Resolved that the attorney general
be directed to transmit to the House.
il not incompatible with the public
service, such papers and information
as may be in possession of the depart
ment showing what steps, if any, have
been taken to investigate the action of
the International Paper Co. of New
York and other corporations, joint
stock companies or corporate COM
binations. engaged in the manufacture
of wood pulp, Of print paper or the
sale thereof and what steps have been
taken to prosecute the said corpora
ton or corporations, joint stock COM
panies or combinations for violation of
the law in case reasons for such prose-
cutions may have appeared from m
vestigation, information from the de-
partment of commerce and labor or
otherwise.
A resolution giving similar drec-
tons to the secretary of the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor also was
introduced by the Speaker, as follows:
Resolved that the secretary of COM
merce and labor be directed, if not in
compa tible with the public service, to
transmit to the House all papers and
information which may be in the pos
session of the department relating to
any steps which may have been taken
by the bureau of the corporations to
make the "diligent investigation into
the organization, conduct and man
agement of the business of the Inter-
national Paper Company of New York
and other corporations. joint stock
companies or combinations engaged in
the manufacture of wood pulp or print
paper or the sale thereof. as said
bureau Of corporations is authorized to
do by law of the United States; and
all the papers and information in his
department which are the result OF
such investigation if any such have
been made
In reply to a question as to the pur-
pose of the resolutions, Speaker Can
non said:
'"rhe duty OH print paper is Is per cent.
ad valorem and has been the same since
1890 under the Mckinley law. the Will
son law and the Dingley law, covering
q. period of IS years 1t is claimed that
the price has been advanced within the
last few months, largely more than equal
to the duty.
''rhe publishers of the United States.
represented by Herman Ridder, claim
that the manufacturers of wood pulp and
print paper have an agreement and corn
bination ever covering arrangements
with Canadian manufacturers. arbitrarily
limited the production and advanced the
price Of print paper If the claim OF
the publishers is correct the manufac-
turers of print paper are subject to PEN
alty and the trust can be dissolved and
enjoined by proceedings In equity In any
of the United States courts where they
or any of them can be found; and II the
claim of the publishers is correct, the
advance in the price is not due to the
duty, but results from the illegal trust
and combination. If the small duty were
repealed it would not interfere with the
illegal trust agreement.
The object of the two resolutions is to
ascertain
"First-What investigation the depart
ment Of commerce and labor through the
bureau of corporations has made. If any,
touching the promises.
"Secondly-TO ascertain what steps
have been taken by the department OF
Justice if any, to Investigate the touch
ing the premises and if there Is reason
to believe that the law has been violated
or is being violated; what steps are be-
ing taken to enforce the same"
On point of order by Mr.. Littlefeld
Maine. there was stricken from the ag-
ricultural appropriation bill today par
agraph authorizing an inquiry into the
subject of the best methods for making
paper.
An amendment was adopted appropriate
ing $4,000 Ito enable the secretary of ag-
riculture to test by cultivation such
plants as may require tests to ascertain
if they lie suitable for making paper
Senator Overman of North Carolina TO-
day introduced i joint resolution putting
printing paper and wood pulp on the free
list and asked for its immediate consid-
Grafton but Mr.. Hepburn objected and on
motion of Senator Gallinger 1t was re-
ferred to the committee on finance.