The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-07-22
New York Lawyer Claims to Be
the Pioneer in Formation of
American Trusts.
GAINS GREAT WEALTH
FROM CORPORATIONS
Believes Government Cannot in
Equity Interfere in "Pri-
yate" Affairs.

NEW YORK, July 2l-The Ameri,
can Sugar Refining company contrib
u,ed $4,000 TO help Benjamin Ha.ri-
son in one Of his campaigns for the
presidency against Grover Cleveland,
The contribution was told OF by John
E. Parsons. former attorney Tor the
company, in his testimony before the
congressional committee which is in.
vestigating the affairs OF the so.callcd
trust He could not remember whether
II was the first or second campaign.
Dr. Parsons frankly boasted that he
was the "pionecr in the formation of
o. il, but secuted the idea that the
sugar tsusr constituted monopoly
such as the Standard Oil or American
Tobacco companies,
The committee spent the afternoon
visiting several sugar rehneries IN tins
vicinity, and held informal conferences
with many superintendent. but took
no testimony c. 4. Spreckels is ex-
pected TO take the stand.
Proud OF HIS Work
Il certainly claim to be the pioneer
Ia the formation OF the American trusts,
said Mr., Parsons in answer to another
question. am very proud OF II.
Mr. Parsons opposed a federal incor-
poTation law Cor local corporations. al
iicia FOR public service corporations. He
opposed the law which permits the govern
rnens 20 examine the books. question the
officers and obtain the secrets of cor
noration
4 strongly condemn the modern the
ory OF publicity OF corporation affairs" he
saG 1t is unjust 10 thc American citi-
gen Ina; he should be compelled so make
his private affairs public
In reply 10 questions by Mr.. Suzer,
Mr. Parsons repudiated the many state
Hav5Taerer was the one power in the
sugar nus, ana sNat the board OF direc-
tors i,nSn alwSys did as he bade o,..
consulted the board on important mat
ers Members II the committee differed
with him. Sometimes Mr. Havemeyer
Welded.
MI. Parsons insisted .Eat the American
sugar Refining company is not 8 trust
American Tobacco company. re secuted
the idea tha, il was a monopoly
Repre- enra,!ve Madison read into the
sorbe.l the Philadelphia refineries there
York
Who organized these three reineries
pany?'
CAMPAIGN Contributors.
Asked about the mysterious resolution
about campaign contributions to quiet
Injurious litigation. and ''hurtful legis-
!a,,9n: hdi1,o:. Mr. Parsons said he RECALLED
COMPANY could make such contributions.
Il said the company had such a right
10 protect Us stockholders, said he,
hut ! certainly wouldn't contribute to
buy on prosecution. I only know of one
Political contribution. That was in one
Of the Harrison campaigns. when the
company gave $4,000 10 the treasurer
Of the Republican campaign committed"
MIR Parsons did not want to tell OF his
holdings in the American company but
finally explained that he received In all
$500 shares Of par value of s250.0o
for legal services. His salary besides
was about $40 600 year. He now owns
ne said. only 24o shares Of preferred
and 2io of common stock Besides that
he received 1000 shares of the preferred
stock Of the National company. He re-
ccired $4,000 for his services in the
Franklin refinery case. He refused to
saw how much he received in the Penn
sylvania Tefneries case. as he Is one Of
those under federal indictment in that
affair, The government alleges that ne
received 500 600.