New-York tribune., 1909-09-14
DENY TAKING REBATES
Agents of Steamship Lines RcfHte
4ccasatiORS.

Agents Of the steamship lines said 10 have vio-
lated the federal statutes regulating railroad rates.
fn accepting rebates, denied yesterday that there
had been any infringement Of the laws IN the iast
eighteen months. From the North German Lioyo
Office IL was given out that fits freight was taken
on consignment TO this port, and that II mao hoIn-
ing to do with the forwarding arrangements. AT
the Hamburg American Line il was said that there
was no knowledge OF rebating. and tha1 none "l
ats officers had been subpenaed.
The principal offender according TO report is me
Holland-America Line. William Van Doom. the
assistant general agent, was alleged TO nave so-
mitted that his company had accepted rebates from
railroads up 20 about eighteen months ago, when
the practice was discontinued because of ruling
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission. II was
saId another Office that the investigation to be
made by the federal grand jury here would ne
based cases that had been brought TO the al
tention Of the commission in the last two years.
An official Of one Of the largest steamship lines
entering this port said yesterday that one Of the
companies said to have violated the federal statutes
had missed several Of its books and suspected a
discharged empoye Of having taken them. These
books contained correspondence concerning negoh-
ations with railroads regarding through rates from
northern European ports Officials of this COM
psny, il said had been subpcenaed.
So far United States Attorney Wises plans in
these cases concerned, they will not be given
out officially Neither he his assistant, J. W.
II. Grim would say yesterday that subp@nas had
been issued One of the federal lawyers said that the
alleged violations of the Sherman antitrust act. the
Interstate Commerce law and the Elkins act would
be the subject OF searching inquiry by the grand
jury. and that if evidence in the hands Of the
United States Attorney We're substantated there
would be indictments. The principal target. it
was said, was steamship company, but it was
also said that if the evidence was sufficient to in
dict against several railroads would also be
established.
There were several conferences ia Mr.. Wise's Of
sice yesterday. all OF which were in relation the
alleged rebating by the steamships and railroads.
One of the principal witnesses for the government
spent several hours in the Federal Building in the
afternoon. but when seen denied that his mission
30 the United States Attorney had anything 10 do
with the rebating investigation
It was learned yesterday that the witnesses be
fore the grand jury would he examined by Mr..
Grim and John II. Marble. of the lawyers on
the stsff of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Mr. Marble was in conference with Mr.. Wise and
Mr.. Grim until late yesterday, and stenographeTs
were busy preparing for the investigation.
II there have been violations Of the federal stat
ntes they viii come under Section 10 Of the Inter
state Commerce act. amended March >. 1899, by
which persons corporations who deliver property
for transportation 10 common carriers subject TO
she provisions of the act and by means of false
billing, etc. Obtain transportation for less than
she regular rates, shall upon conviction be sub
sect 10 a fine of S50o for each offence. Imprison-
1nent for term not exceeding two years is a con
current penalty at ths discretion the court The
Ekins act defines violation of the law in much the
words. II said yesterday that if the COM
panies 10 be investigated were indicted and upon
trial found guilty the fines might amount 10 more
than ssoOOAOoo