The Washington times., 1909-11-16
Three-Hour Session of Cabi-
net Devoted to Discus
sion of Fight.
COMMISSION TAKES
A HAND IN PROBE
Idea That Alleged Frauds Wrro
Work of Subordinates Secuted
by Officials.

Vigorous consideration of the
Sugar trust fraud charges and The
formation of plans for the Govern
ment's action in the premises con-
sumed the first regular Cabinet
meeting since the summer at the
White House this morning. and
which adjourned at / 40 O'Clock
after one of the longest sessions in
/ years.
As non-cOmmittal as the mem
bers of the Cabinet were, it is
known that President Taft has or
dered the Attorney General and the
Secretary of the Treasury to sift to
the bottom what are believed to be
the most gigantic frauds in the his
tory Of the industries Of the United
States. This means that every
available force of the Government
is to be brought to bear in the sift-
ing process.
@UP TO ADMINISTRATION
Both of these officials reached
the White House this morning ac-
companied by messengers who bore
bulky portfolios.
Il IS evident that the President
and his advisers feel that It Is s.up
to" the Administration to act at
once and to act thoroughly. It is
conceded that no mercy viii be
shown. those criminally response
bic for the frauds that have been
going on for years.
Sensational as have been the dis
closures thus far, it is declared the
end is not yet and that the outcome
will be even more sensational.
The Civil Service Commission has
taken hand in the matter. While
the Treasury Department and the
Department Of Justice are busily
/ investigating, President John c.
Black and other members of the
Civil Service Commission have start
ed an investigation of their own.
They want to get to the bottom
Of the allegations that the civil
service employees IN the customs
service at New York have been
chosen at the dictation of the Sugar
/ trust.
Congress In Line.
Commissioners Black. Mcnhenny. and
Washburn were busy yesterday and to-
/ day in probing into the facts. and win
give out a statement as soon as they
have secured them.
Congress win undoubtedly make an
/ investigation into the customs frauds
Representative Michael e Driscou, OF
the Syracuse district of New York. to-
day predicted an investigation BY Con-
gress.
Il do not see how an investigation
will be avoided" said Mr.. DriscolI.
Some one viii introduce a resolution
and no one will be willing to oppose It
It will go through. OF course. do not
know who Will introduce a resolution
Mr.. Driscoll. however. had no doubt
there would be plenty of members anx-
ious for the job Of presenting a resolu-
ton that would put them in the lime
light as attacking the Sugar trust.
Criticisms Felt.
Not IN years has there been such
activity displayed against a trust ana
against 'malefactors OF great wealth,
as is being shown today against the
Sugar trust. For this, there are i'm
portant reasons. In the first place, the
! Governments stand against the trust IS
a strong one. In the second place, the
Administration feels keenly the criti-
cisms which have been made that there
/ is under President Taft to be a cessa-
ton OF antitrust activity. II IS the pur-
pose to show that the laws are to be
enforced without fear or favor, and
that a trust found guilty OF wrong
doing viii be handled as vigorously as
any minor offender. The civil and Grim
inaI cases against the Sugar trust win
be pressed. 1t is the hope OF the Gov
eminent officials that the outcome may
be to land one or more wealthy Of
tenders behind the bars. and put them
IN prison stripes
1t is the feeling Of the Department OF
Justice and Treasury officials that the
directors of the trust. or some Of them.
must have known what was going on
They scout at the idea that the frauds
which have been committed have been
the work Of suhordinates.
Former Assistant Secretary OF the
4