Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-08-12
Steel Trusts Political COntrI-
button In 1904.
TAFT TO ASSIST PROBERs
VIII Furnish Steel Probers With All
information in Possession Of Blu.
reau Of Corporations.

Following two long and stormy ey-
ecutive sessions, the Stanley steel
trust investigating committee In
Washington resumed delving into
campaign contributions by the United
States Steel corporation.
The executive sessions had been de-
voted to determining whether or not
10 force George w. Perkins. steel cor
poration director and former partner
In the banking firm of j. p. Morgan &
Co., TO tell about personal and cor
porate campaign contributions. At
first, II was said. on authority OF
Representative Young. Republican.
that the committee had reversed IT,
self. and that the threat OF haling
Mr.. Perkins before the house for con-
tempt for not answering questions had
fallen by the wayside.
When the committee reassembled Il
became apparent that the reversal
had only to do with personal contribu-
tons.
When the executive session was
ended. and the committee was pre-.
pared to proceed with the examination
Of Perkins, II. V. Lindabury. counsel
for the Steel corporation and for Mr..
Perkins, announced that the Steel cor.
poration in 1904 contributed $4,000
to a campaign fund. but whether 1t
was national or state he did not know.
He said he would produce the papers
as soon as possible. and that Mr.. Per-
kins was not connected with that con-
tribution.
tended to press the question of finding
out whether the New York Life COM
pany and the Steel corporation had
made contributions. Mr.. Beall init
mated that If the Stanley ruling be
reversed In its entirety he intended
TO bring the question up on the floor
of the house.
Mr.. Perkins was then called to the
stand and Mr.. Beall began to ques.
ton him concerning campaign contri-
buttons made by the New York Life
and the Steel corporation. Mr.. Linda
bury again interposed an objection to
Mr.. Beall's questions.
between Attorney Lindabury and Mr..
Beall the latter asked Mr. Perkins:
did You ever make any personal
campaign contributions that were re-
imbursed by n corporation?" 81 never
did," replied the witness.
While deciding not to press Mr..
Perkins on personal campaign con-
tributions. the committee decided to
require the steel corporation to pro-
duce the books of subsidiary compa-
MES. The power of the committee to
do this also had been questioned.
The committees decision not to
press the inquiry into personal cam
conclusion that the house resolution
did not give authority to go into those
matters. II was said that Represen-
tative Littleton, Democrat. of New
York, insisted that the committee
would thus transcend its power.
Mr.. Littleton, with the four Repub-
lican members. constituted a majority
Of the whole committee. which com.
prises Ave Democrats and four Re
publicans.
Even should any other questions
regarding campaign contributions be
pressed" said Il. V. Lindabury. coun-
sci for the Steel corporation, they
would not be answered"
Following the first executive ses-
sion. the probers caused brand-new
stir when Representative Stanley. the
chairman: Representatives Littleton
Herbert Knox Smith. commissioner of
corporations. had conference with
President Taft at the White House.
All refused to discuss the confer.
Stanley and his associates had gone
to the White House TO ask the presi-
dent to release further reports OF the
commissioner of corporations on the
steel industry with view of getting
at some of the subjects sought in the
inquiry.
President Taft. 1t is said. promised
to furnish the committee all informa-
ton In the possession of the bureau
OF corporations in regard to the steel
trust" which could be furnished with.
In the law.
The president expected to have an
other conference with the committee
men and Mr.. Smith later, when the
amount OF information TO be furnished
and its kind would be determined.
Under the law. III. Smith reports
directly to the president. but he said
he was willing to help the committee
In every way possible. He added that
he believed that two Investigations
conducted at the same time should be
mutually helpful.
Think Man Was Slain and Robbed.