The Washington times., 1911-06-10
STEEL TRUST WATTS
ON BEALL, WHO HAS
INQUIRY OF HIS OWN
Texas Member of Stanley
Committee Calls for Re-
cess of Committee.
HE WANTS TO PROBE
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
81. P. Legion" Is Morgan's New
Name, Given to Him by
Representative.

Because a member of the committee
had a little investigating of his own to
do, along a different line, the Stanley
Committee investigating the so-calIed
Steel trust took breathing spell today.
The steel hearings will be resumed
Tuesday. when James Gayley, former
vice president of the United States Steel
Corporation, will resume his testimony.
The steel committees adjournment
over today was because Representative
Jack Beall, chairman of the House
Committee on Expenditures in the De-
partment of Justice, wanted his COM
mittee to probe into certain affairs.
The Department of Justice Commit
tee began an inquiry into the New York
customs house sugar frauds and the
compromise settlement made between
the Government and the American Su-
gar Refining Company.
Roberts Testihes.
Percival Roberts. jr., director both in
the United States Steel Corporation and
the Pennsylvania railroad, and Mr..
Gayley, were heard by the steel COM
mittee yesterday afternoon. Compared
with former hearings when John w.
Gates and Judge f. H. Gary were upon
the stand. the performances before the
Stanley committee yesterday were OF
q rather routine character. There was
one tilt between committee members,
and Attorney r. V. Lindabury, repre-
senting the steel corporation. Mr.. Lin
dabury termed some of the questions as
''unseemly," which caused members OF
the committee to remark that they were
not there to be reprimanded by coun-
sci. and that IF 1t happens again the
rule will be invoked. The rule is that
all objections must be made in writing.
The committee tried to show by the
testimony Of Mr.. Roberts that the af-
fairs of the Pennsylvania railroad and
the steel corporation are entwined and
that by roundabout gentleman s
agreement the railroads and the steel
corporation control the prices of steel
completely.
Denies Charge.
Mr.. Roberts would not admit any
such thing, although he said that three
directors Of the steel corporation are
also directors of the Pennsylvaia rail-
road He saw no improperly in this
inasmuch as the directors OF either cor
poration are not allowed to vote on
questions that affect both Of them alike.
The Pennsylvania Railroad, he declar-
ed, was willing to pay a good price for
steel rails in order to encourage mills
along its lines. He doubted Andrew
Carnegie's statement made in 1903, that
rails could be manufactured as low as
SIG a ton. The present average price Of
SIS, he thought, is a reasonable one.
Gets New Name.
Indirectly, J. Pierpont Morgan re-
ceived a new name toward the end Of
the hearing. Mr.. Roberts had been tell
ing about ideals in business.
us there in the financial world today
a man of great power and vast Interests
whose example is regarded IN way as
law by the business worldT'' asked Mr..
Stanley.
Mr. Roberts said there might be such
where does he reside and what is
his name?" asked Mr.. Stanley.
His name is legion" replied the wit
ness.
First time 1 ever heard J. P. called
J. P. Legion" said committee mem
Der, soto Voce.
But Mr.. Stanley was persistent IN
bringing out name, if possible. He
continued:
us there not one man, whose ex-
ample business men of the nation
grasp of modern conditions, his touch
which potentiates the railroads of
the nation, the steel manufacturing
business, the establishment of banks,
and extends to all the multifarious
ramifications of business of the coun-
try, and who can not only frame bust
ness conditions, but change them by
the mere press of a button?"
Il suppose l have in mind who you
mean" Mr.. Roberts answered, smil-
ingly. whatever he may accomplish
for the good of the Government and
upholdinG the business interests of the
country, he does by reason of his
qualities and his ideals. 1t is not be
cause of his personality and name. 1t
is the ideal which he represents that
makes the country what it is