New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-04
NEW SUGAR MOVE
GRAND JURY TIkES
FIRM STIND.
Flies PrcscRtmcRt Charging
-ImcricGn Company scith
C0ntcm pr.
Contempt.

As result Of a determined. but 50
far Intellectual. attempt of United States
Attorney Wise 10 get possession of docu-
incnts from the American Sugar he
filming COMPANY in the governments IN
Hestigation OF the whole sugar renhi"S
l,,;sincss Of the country to learn whether
III. sherman antitrust act was Nlola'cu'
the federal grand jury handed in pre-
sentiment yesterday against the company
for contempt.
Charles Il. Heike secretary of the COM
pany. appeared before the grand jury Oh
Monday. 4 subpoena had been issued TO
the corporation to produce documents
wanted in the Investigation, which mas
heeu going on for several months. AS
told exclusively in The Tribune, MI
Heike. as secretary. came 10 the r eoeFdi
Building in answer.
There is an Indictment against the
secretary now in connection with the
short weighing frauds on the Havemeyer
& Elder docks, and his appearance be-
fore the grand juries in the new anti
trust investigation in December ana
January led TO the recent tight by MS
counsel for immunity Therefore, when
Heike, on presenting himself before the
grand Jury on Monday, asked that he be
sworn. there was prompt objection from
Mr. Wise's assistant, James +. knapp,
who has charge of the case.
MIR. Heiae Is Obdurate.
Mir. Heike was obdurate. He persisted
in his refusal 20 produce the papers I'M
less he was sworn. Finally he asked to
be permitted 10 telephone for advice
He got James NJ. Beck on the wire. it
WAS said. Whatever advice he obtained
from counsel, Heike was firmer III
his refusal 70 produce the documents
than ever, unless he was sworn. Mr.
Knapp pointed out what the result
Of his action might be, but the
secretary Of the company could not be
moved.
Papers in the case were prepared as
quickly as possible and the presentment
was handed down before Judge Hand IN
the United States Circuit Court. An
order TO show cause why the company
should not be adjudged in contempt of
court Will be signed soon, and the pro-
ceedings Will be begun as quickly as
possible
Mr.. Beck heard OF the presentment al
most as soon as il was handed in, and
spent the greater part Of the afternoon
at the offices OF the company in consul
tation with the officials. There was
rumor last evening that the company
would decide to surrender the exhibits
wanted by the government. This would,
however. not be III line with its recent
rolicz- for in the criminal cases counsel
FOR the government had to obtain an or
der from the court to retain the books
and papers necessary in that proceed
ing.
The papers demanded by the grand
jury show the vast scope Of the present
inquiry, and also reveal the great extent
of the American Sugar Refining Com
pany's operations. Among the docu-
ments called for in the subpoena. en-
bracing the time from the organization
Of the company in 1891 TO the present,
are the following:
Mortgage made 10 the Central Trust
Company TO secure bonds on $4,000. 900
made on January 10, 1891, referred to in
the minutes Of a meeting of the board
of directors of the American Sugar Re
inning Company on me same GATE. con-
tracts between the company and each of
the constituent companies guaranteeing
debts of the companies made in January,
1891: deeds. leases and agreements of
the American Sugar Refining Company
of California, TO Havemeyer & Elder and
? lease by the latter to the Western
Sugar Refining Company Of refinery
property in San Francisco.
Some of the Papers Wanted.
Contamination agreement referred
TO in a report TO the stockholders of the
American Sugar Refining Company