Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-13

Former Assistant Attorney General
Milton D. Purdy told the House sugar
trust committee today that he never Of
ficially knew why Attorney General Bona
parte did not prosecute the officials OF tho
American Sugar Refining Company ip
1905 for alleged offenses in connection
with the absorption OF the Pennsylvania
Sugar Refining Company in 1908.
Judge Purdy declared tina. while act
ing attorney general in President Roose-
velt's administration he had been very
much impressed by the facts set forth to
him by George H. Earle, jr., of Philadel-
phia. who pursued the sugar trust" Of
ficials in the case. and believed at the time
that the case should be prosecuted He
reported all the facts to Attorney Gen.
eral Bonaparte after his appointment, late
In 1906. and was never informed by Mr..
Bonaparte why the prosecution was not
pressed
Judge Purdy read a letter he sent to
Mr.. Earle early in 1907. In response to
query from Mr. Earle urging Earle
Judge Purdy said he never reported to
President Roosevelt In this matter or
any other matter. He reported to no one
Except my superior. Mr.. Bonaparte."
Never Changed His Mind.
Ever change your mind a. to the
facts in that caser' asked Chairman
Hardwick.
NO" replied Judge Purdy. adding that
he had reported how strongly he was i'm.
pressed with the facts and that he so
reported when Mr.. Bonaparte succeeded
Attorney General Moody" He said Mr.
Moody did not take up the case because
ne had just been appointed to the su-
preme Court.
Mr.. Purdy, in his confidential letter to
Mr.. Earle. said, my views relative TO
the sugar trust have In no manner
changed since my interview with YOU
and stated that he had taken up the ma
ibid Attorney General Bonaparie
ever tell you that the Knight case con-
trolled in this case and was the reason
why there was no prosecution asked
e he never ana that 1 recall We may
have discussed the might case In con-
nection with this matter, but DO not
now recall it,
made any sts<>-1ent @. intimation OF his
opinion as to ANYTHING concerning the
failure to prosecute"
Examined Regarding Report.
Judge Purdy was examined closely re-
garding his report to Attorney General
Bonaparte.
I'm sure" he said, "that I gave the
Attorney General to understand my opin-
ion OF the case and that I believed that TX
the facts as stated were true they war
ranted full investigation and indictments
and were SUFFICIENT. II proved, to warrant
convictions"
Following his interviews with MT.
cnA ay1ff
from his hands. Judge Purdy stated.
"Was 1t after You expressed yourself
on this case" asked Representative Rak-
er, that you received an appointment 10
the federal bench. and that the appoint,
ment was not confirmed by the Senate!
YES"
"Do you think that your expression OF
fearlessness in enforcing the law had
anything to do with your failure OF con-
firmation?'
II do not know anything about that
WELL" Mr.. Raker responded. Il viii
leave the matter there and let the pup
lie Judge whether your fearless attitude
for prosecution Of violators of the anti
trust law Influenced the members Of the
United States Senate to withhold confir-
nation Of your appointment to federa'
judgeship."
Barred From Lighterage Rebate.
Frank c. Lowry. general salesman OF
the Federal Sugar Refining Company,
testified today that the iighteragc allow
ance to the American Sugar Refining
Company worked a hardship on his com
pany. mot only in loss Of money. but in
handling the business"
THE trunk line railroads In New York
draw a line within which free lighterage
il conceded. We happen to be just out
side that line
Mr.. Lowry said that lower tariff on
sugar or free admission Of sugar would
actually reduce the cost Of sugar to the
consumer and that beet sugar men ex-
aererated their fear that free sugar
would ruin their industry. but he believed
that free sugar would inJure the Louis-
lana cane sugar industry.