The San Francisco call., 1910-08-12
CAUSTIC REPLY
IS HURLED At
KANSASLEADER
AIdrich Says BristOw's Political
Existence Depends on His
Misrepresentation
Every Charge Made by Western
Senator Is Denied by Rhode
Island Leader

to changes ia the rubber duties
in the tariff act Of 1909.
The persistent reiteration OF the
absurd misstatements of Senator
Bristow with reference to the tariff
on rubber furnishes such a choice
illustration Of the nature of the
criticisms and the character of
certain critics of the tariff act of
1909. that il seems to be desirable
that a fun statement of the facts
should be made in response to this
inquiry.
Senator .Bristow's statements
were as follows:
J. That the senate committee on
finance. Of which ! was chairman.
increased the duty upon certain
to 80 per cent
2. That during the session. or
Immediately after the adjournment
Of congress. I in connection with
others, had organized a gigantic
rubber trust known as the Inter
continental Rubber company. in
winch was q large stockholder
and director.
3. That this huge rubber trust
Immediately advanced largely the
price of crude rubber the SuppIv
OF which il absolutely controls
I. That this vast rubber monop-
~
company. was able. on account of
the changes in the tariff referred
70, 10 adyance-and did rapidly ad-
Nance-the price of every rubber
product. from automobile tires
10 babies rsttlers."
;. That the increase in the rate
on rubber manufactures from 30
10 80 per cent enabled the Inter
continental Rubber company to rea-
lie Immediately enormous profits
IS shown by the large dividends it
had paid in the early months of the
present year. and that the increase
N rates was brought about with
this end in view.
INTERESTED IN RUBBER
1t is true that an increase in the
rates took place in paragraph 463.
which included certain manufac-
lures or indiarubber, with other
items. and il is true, also. that I
am a stock holder and director in
the Intercontinental rubber COM
pany, but none Of the other stat
nentS referred 10 contain a single
element of truth. 1 should be glad
10 think that in these statemen+S
Senator Bristow had been crueiIv
imposed upon by some designing
person. IS / don't like 10 believe
thSI any senator could be guilty of
oelloerately manufacturing state
l"S-lts so lalse IN every particular.
Neither the lntercontinentaI rub
Der company nor ]. nor any mem
Der Of my family has ever had anv
pecunlary interest as to whether
the rate for manufactures of rub
DSt were 20. 80 or 300 per cent, or
whether crude rubber was on +be
free or dutiable list.
ORGANIZED IN 1906
The IntercontinentaI rubber COM
pany was incorporated in 1906.
with the general powers Of a bust
ness corporation. There has been
" = 1s<
or after the session of Congress
since mat time in the business or
conLfol OF the company, or in the
purposes Tor which it was organ
lzeo, these being all established AT
the time Of organization. long he
Iore the tariff act Of 1903 was ever
thought Of
The company is and has been the
owner Of stoek-the entire amount
IN every case but one-in suhordi
hate companies organized for pur-
poses OF convenience in the conduct
OF the business Of producing crude
I,r15 TuD9sr III various parts of the
world The charters of two oF
these companies were sIrrendered
IN 1909 for the purpose of simnlifv-
ing the general organization of the
business and saving expenses and
Neither the Intercontinental rub-
per company, nor any of its subor-
olnates-and in this ! include the
surrendered in .19Os-have now or
ever have had, any interest what
ever, directly or Indirectly, in anv
business except in the production Of
ctuoe rupper, IN contries outside of
the United States, and in the sale
and delivery Of its crude rubber
product in available markets here
and abroad.
NOT IN COMBINE
Neither the Intercontinental rub
Der company nor any of its subordi-
nate companies have ever had the
slightest interest, direct or indirect
ia the manufacture Of any article
covered by the change in rates on
rubber manufactures in the para
graph alluded to, or otherwise: and
neither the lntercontinental rubber
company. nor any of its subordinate
companies, have ever had any part
in any combination. agreement or
arrangement or understanding with
any company or person with refer