The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-07-02
RE Turns FROM
SUGAR HEARING
Major R. W. Young Says He
Cannot Forecast Result
of Inquiry.
DECLARES PRESIDENT AND
BISHOP GOOD WITNESSES
Congressional Investigation Is
Thorough of All So-Called
Industrial Combines.

That President Joseph +. Smith and
Bishop G. w, Nibley of the Mormon
church made n favorable impression
upon the members of the house commit
Tee now conducting an investigation
into the so-called E'sugar trust at
Washington, d. c., is the assertion
made by Major Richard W. Young, at
torney for the Utah Idaho Sugar com
pany, who returned home yesterday.
Mr. Young, accompanied by his wife,
Mrs. Minerva Young, landed at New
York about ten days ago, after three
months pleasure tour through Europe.
Italy. Switzerland, France, Belgium,
Holland and England wero visited by
the Utahns, and on the return trip
from New York to this city, Mr.. Young
stopped over at Washington while the
committee investigation wns under
way, as the legal counsel for the local
sugar firm.
"During the investigation of the
house committee into the affairs of the
so-called sugar trust, - said Mr..
Young yesterday, ''both President
Smith and Bishop Nibley were called
as witnesses to offer eidence concern
Utah-Idaho Sugar company, and were
questioned as to the alleged merger of
that concern with the Amalgamated
sugar firm Both these Mormon lead
ers made a favorable impression upon
the committee members, many of whom
remarked upon the readiness and
frankness with which the witnesses an
swered questions and gave information
sought by the Investigators.
Cannot Forecast Result.
f'I was present when President
Smith and Bishop Nibley were called,
but did not reach Washington in time
to hear the testimony of Thomas R.
Cutler, general manager Of the Utah
Idaho Sugar company. From what j
heard among the committeeman, how
ever, Mr., Cutler also impressed the
members favorably. In fact, members
of the committee were heard to speak
in appreciation of the willingness and
candor OF these three men.
''Just what the result Of the investi
cation will be, think no one can say
Personally, ] don t know just what the
house is trying TO get at. I don t
know what the object of the investi-
CATION really is. The fact remains, how
ever, that the whole matter will yet
have to be tried out in court, before
any decision of permanent effect can
stand.
Perhaps politics may be playing a
subtle role In the matter 1t is the
first time in years that the Democrats
have been in power in the house, and
it may be that they are anxious to find
out what their Republican friends have
been doing. The investigation covers
wide range-practically all sugar
firms in the country. The beet sugar
companies Of Utah, Colorado, California
and Michigan have been included in
the list. Just why, L am unable to
say.
eThe sugar companies are not alone
under the move. The departmental af-
fairs of the government, the steel
trust, alleged lumber combine and nu~
merous other concerns are being drawn
under the scrutiny. The committee is
was not relegated to their inquiry, ii
my memory serves me night.
Courts Final Resort.
~ cannot see wherein the investi~
eating committee can accomplish much
so far as the sugar companies arc con-
cerned. If the so-called TRUST is really
existing in violation of law, the house,
even from its investigation. has no
power to dissolve the holding company,
AT any rate. there are many suits in
the courts at present, which seek the
dissolution of certain sugar companies
and an alleged Combine AS near as
] can judge, the matter will eventually
have to go into the courts for final
settlement.
son the other hand. congress might
take a step by itself in conducting the
investigation so as TO bring to light
certain evils existing in the laws If
this is true, a remedy is needed, and
congress, as result of the investiga-
tion, might be able TO determine
through its committee and later careful
consideration as whole, in Just what
manner or respect the laws could be
remedied TO the advantage of all con-
cerned.'
President Smith and Bishop Nibley
are expected home today.
y MATDINGJ IINDEpGOES