Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-13
BELIEVED IN INT EREST
OF EXCHANGE GAMBLERS
Patron OF Measure Adopted Thinks
the investigation viii Bring to
Light Real Cause for Action and Re-
suit in Good to the Producer-Wiii
ResuItfn Nearer Fair Play.
nv Associated Press.l


WASHINGTON, ID. C., May 12-The
rouse today passed a resolution call
ing upon the attorney general for all
Iacts in his possession relating TO his
investigation of an alleged violation
of the Sherman antitrust act on the
part OF the men carrying on stock OPP
erations for the purpose of advancing
the prices of cotton.
The resolution also inquiries wheth-
er the department IL conducting, or
contemplates conducting, an investiga
ton relating TO combinations of per
sons operating for the purpose of re-
sucing the price of cotton and also
whether any such Investigation or
prosecution was ever begun against
any person for conspiring to advance
the price of wheat In 1909.
This resolution was introduced In
the house by MIR. Craig. of Alabama,
being favorably reported today by
Chairman Parker. OF the committee on
the judiciary, and passed by the house
after a brief discussion.
After Real Facts.
Mr. Craig, speaking of the action
taken, said:
The resolution passed the house
today Is the resolution introduced by
me some days ago to institute an In
curry by the house as to the facts up
on which the attorney general bases
his proceedings against certain cotton
merchants and their associates, whom
be charges with a violation of the
Sherman antitrust law.
THE attorney general now has
chance to show 10 the country wheth-
er there was ANY real basis. for the
charges or whether as has been
charged In newspapers, all over the
country, he had been -dnped into al
lowing his department and the power
full agencies of the government, to be
used in the interests of cotton gamb-
lcrs of New York who, in an endeavor
To break the market and force prices
downward. had sold cotton that they
did not own"
Asked what results of the resolution
he expected. Mr.. Craig said
Anxious for Fair Play.
The fact that my resolution was
passed almost unanimously by the
house show. mink, that the country
at large is anxious to see fair play.
believe that the result of this con-
gressioEal investigation will be either
that the attorney general will be
forced to admit that there are no real
grounds of prosecution against the
southern cotton merchants or. IL
there are such grounds, that he win
be forced to investigate the other side
OF the question and prosecute the men
who, for years, have conspired to
make cheap cotton.
Will Reveal otherDesIs.
j believe also that he will be forced
10 investigate the alleged wheat cor
ner OF last year, because by the pas
sage OF the resolution. IL is brought
clearly before the country that while
men alleged to be in cmobination 10
advance the price of cotton are being
prosecuted. those who corncred whea;
last year and ran the price ND to sI.a5
bushcl. have not been mo,ested.
The ultimate result OF this asita-
lion. think. will be to make more
pronounced the fact that the men who
are selling cotton that they DO not
own and DO not expect TO deliver and
Who are therefore gamblers. pure aad
simple. are going TO be forced TO quit
their nefarious practices and thereby
leave clean and honest market for
both the producer and the cotton r1er.
chant who buys and sells the actual
staple whether for present Of future
delivery