New-York tribune., 1909-06-23
JURY HEARS SUGAR MEN
AMERICAN CO.'S ACTS
UNDER INVESTIG4TION.
Personal as We'll as Corporate Ii
ability To Be Gone Into
Weighing Cases Postponed.

Adolph segal. chief owner of the Pennsylvania
Sugar Refining Company until the so-called
Sugar Trust obtained possession of it through
a roundabout loan and closed it, spent about
two hours yesterday before the federal grand
jury which is making inquiry into this trans
action in its bearing under the Sherman anti
trust law. John Sparhawk. jr.. who was Segal
lawyer when the American company loaned
S1250,ON0 to Segal through a broker. also was
before the grand jury for few minutes
After his testimony before that body Sesal
and his lawyer had luncheon and consulted with
some Of the United States assistant attorneys
SegaI expects that he may have TO go before
the grand jury again. He said that his COM
pany was in excellent shape. though. and eN-
pected to open its refinery in about six weeks
This is exactly the thing, apparently, from the
facts brought out in various ways up TO date
which. the American Sugar Refining Company
was trying its utmost TO prevent and did pre-
vent for some time.
George H. Earle. Jr. receiver for the Penn
sylvania Sugar Refining Company. and J. Dee.
Junkin. mis- lawyer. came over from Philadel-
phia yesterday to see United States Attorney
Wise. They were closeted with him for a
couple of hours going back 10 Philadelphia
after the conference. It is expected that Earle
at least will go before the grand jury, perhaps
next week. with books and papers Of the com
pany and communications which figured in the
transactions leading up to the loan
Charles r. Heike. secretary Of the American
Sugar Refining Company, was before the grand
jury under subpoena duces tecum. He had
certain books and papers but was under eN-
animation only short time. T. Suffern Taller
the banker and we'll known coaching man, also
appeared before the grand jury. His connection
with the case vas not known. and Mr.. Wise de-
cIined to say how he was brought into the
affair.
All the indications are that the federal au-
thorities are examining into both personal and
corporate liability in connection with this case.
Under the sherman law lawyers familiar with
the federal statutes say there is both peTsoTai
and corporate liability. just as there Is hoth
civil and criminal liability and a sort Of thfd
liability through the dissolution of companies
found guilty Of violating the provisions or tHat
statute There is a penalty for conspiracy OF
s. coo fine or one years imprisonment or ootn'
Nothing definite can be learned regarding the
anDroyIuate time when the grand jury VIII
con7plete its labors. There is general feeling
around the federal building that indictments
VIII he returned IN this case: but It is expeo'e ed
that there will be a great mass OF testimony
and evidence and those familiar with the case
will be much surprised II there is nothing de-
cgsfve dore before Mr Wise goes ~ Europe on
June 80
Another phase Of the American company $
affairs Yesterday went until fail for set
tIement. when Judge Holt. In the Criminal
Branch Of the United States Circuit Court.
granted motion for adjournment Of the trlal
Of oliver Splitter and other weighers for the
American Sugar Refining Company, under IN
dictuent for defrauding the government by use
of = system of false weights. Judge Holt fixed
the date Of trial for October / He said 1t was
very not weather. and he expected the uial
would be a long one.
Motion for postponement Of the trial was
made last week on the ground that there was
such an infamed state Of public mind against
the so-caIIed Sugar Trust that fair trial could
not be obtained, and the recent compromise
Of the suit against the American Sugar Rein
ing Company had been construed to be con-
fession Of guilt Judge Holt said he had not
given any attention 10 this plea, as he did not
believe that jurors were affected by pubic
cIamOr.