Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-05-04
UNDERF|R
HOUSE ORDERS
INQUIRY
STEEL, WOOL AND SUGAR
TO BE INVESTIGATED
Committees viii Determine
Whether Commerce Laws
Are Violated By Corpora
tons; Senate to Reopen
Lorimer Case.
IBy Morning Journal Special Leased vlrel

IBy Morning Journal Special Leased Nlrcl
Washington, May 3.--The investi-
eating trend OF congress took wide
ranged today for iquiries into the af-
fairs OF the United States steel cor
poration, the American Sugar Refin-
ing company and the American Wool
en- company were placed on the pro-
gram of the democratic house: the
shoe industry was under fire; and a
senate committee on expenses opened
the way for re-investigation of the
charges against Senator Lorimer of
Illinois
Resolutions directing that commit
tees search the records to determine
whether any of the first three named
corporations are operating in viola
ton of the antitrust. intereststate
commerce or national banking laws
have been started on the legislative
ways. The steel trust resolution, the
creation of Representative Stanley of
Kentucky, was approved by the house
committee on rules and will be re-
ported to the house.
Representative Hardwick or Geor-
gla is the author of the resolution
providing for inquiry into the Amer
lean Sugar Refining company and this
will be considered by the rules COM
mittee tomorrow Ii the committee
has time. it also may consider sim
liar resolution submitted by Repre-
sentative Francis of Ohio. directing
that a special committee OF FIVE be
named to inquire into the American
Wooden company. Whether there Is
a trust in wool in this country, is in
formation desired by men interested
In the WOODEN schedule,
Opposition attacking the proposed
removal Of the duty ON shoes, as pro-
vided In the free list bill now before
the house developed simultaneously
in thcAsenate and hbuse ends of the
capital.
While large shoe manufacturers
testified to the senate finance COM
mittee they were forced to keep
prices high because they were In the
grip of the machinery trust. which
controlled absolutely every manufac-
turer of shoes in this country, Repre-
sentative Weeks on the floor of the
house was praising the concern which
owns the patents on all the shoe ma
chinery in the United States
The manufacturers said this trust
operates on a different basis with for
eign manufacturers from what II does
those in this country for one thing,
allowing those abroad to use some of
their own machinery.
Senator Bailey told the manufactur
ers, that, in his opinion, their con-
tracts with the trust could be pro-
we'd Illegal; that, In spite of the shoe
machinery companies patent rights,
he thought their action could be con-
strued as an effort to restrain the
trade and he said the attorney gem
eral might make some trouble for the
trust after he had learned of the state
ments in the hearings.
Representative Diefenderfer OF
Pennsylvania introduced resolutions
calling upon the secretary Of the
navy and the secretary OF war to fur
nish congress with Information relat-
ing to shoe contracts for the army
and navy prior to 1909. Similar res
introduced last week by Rep
resentative Gardner covered 1909,
1910 and 1911.
The Gardner resolution regar1nS
navy shoe contracts was adopted by
the house yesterday and the commit
tee on military affairs is able to re-
port favorably on the proposed in
quiry into army contracts.
The inquiries were based upon |
charges made by Diefenderfer, that |
one shoe manufacturing concern has |
a monopoly on government contracts
and has frozen out" all competitors. |
All the resolutions were referred re-
spectively to the naval and military
The diplomatic and consular SER
vice also may be investigated Repre-
sentative Broussard OF Louisiana to-
day introduced a joint resolution to
appoint committee to examine iuo
laws and departmental resu-
ations. The resolution. carrying s25,
BOO for expenses. empowers the COM
mittee to hold sessions in foreign |
If necessary.
The resolution was referred to tho
rules committee. 1t grows out of alles-
ed favoritlsm in appointments.