The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-05
INQUIRY WILL
Be FAR-REACH|MG
Democratic Congressman Discuss
Coming Investigation of Steel and
Wooden Combines.
Copyright, 1911. by the United Prsss.)

WASHINGTON, May 5.-The Dem
ocratic leaders OF the house OF repre-
sentatives have determined TO scrut-
lnize two OF the worlds greatest In
dustrial combinations--the United
states Steel Corporation and the
American Wooden Co. The Stanley
resolution for the steel probe Is ex-
pected TO pass the house within a
week. Rep Francis, OF Ohio. today
secured an agreement from the lead
ers for early consideration of his wool
probe resolution.
Stanley, OF Kentucky, who practical
~ has been agreed upon for chairman
OF the committee that will probe the
steel corporation. and Francis, author
OF the wool resolution today prepared
the following statements for the Unit
ed Press:
BY REP. AUGUSTUS o. STANLEY.
The inquiry assured by the favor
able report OF the rules committee OH
the resolution to investigate the Unit
ed States Steel Corporation and Its al
lied interests In railroads. banks and
coal companies will be the most I'M
portant and far-reaching ever institut.
ed by congress. II will be prosecuted
fairly, but with careful view TO set
ting before congress and the people,
every questionable operation OF the
big combination.
There is widespread feeling
throughout the country that the oper-
atoms OF these combinations are espe-
cially hurtful TO general prosperity:
that they act as drag and an incu.
bus on legitimate business.
In the year 1908, the steel trust re-
ceived $162,345,000 net profits secured
10 II by tariff schedules, and more
''than II would have received had II
sold TO the American consumer at the
same price II received In foreign mar
kets.
One hundred and sixty-two million
dollars Is an appalling sum to pay for
any Immunity. but when we think OF
the presidents II has deluded; OF the
senators II has swayed. congresses II
has conquered, courts 1t has corrupt
ed. perhaps 1t was money well-spent
The greatest crime of the steel
trust is its crucihxion OF labor, its
degradation, Its cold and inhuman pill
fering OF its own employees
BY REP. w. 3. FRANCIS.
The resolution introduced by me
in the house Will. II acted on favor
ably. in my judgment, enable the gov.
eminent TO suppress one of the most
atrocious trusts in the country, and
expose one of the most gigantic hum
bugs In the business world today.
Not only Is the wool grower OPP
pressed by the elimination of all com
petition for the purchase OF his wool,
but the price paid by the consumer
Of all wooden products Is controlled
absolutely by this gigantic combina-
ton.
This aggregation, known as the
American Wooden Co.. Is capitalized
at 500 100000, and Is composed of 20
or 80 mills. scattered throughout New
England, New York and Pennsylvania.
The corporation exists in palpable
violation OF the Sherman antitrust
law. For some years the wool grow
ers OF the country have labored under
the belief that the lowering or rails
ing Of the tariff on wool controlled
the price Of the product.
Since the advent OF this wool trust
the whole country has been divided
into districts, and In each district
only one buyer appears and the price
he offers Is dictated wholly by the
trust he represents.
No competition now exists in any
branch OF this industry. and no mat
ter what is done regarding the tariff,
the prices paid for raw material. as
we'll as the prices asked for the fin
ished product, will not be affected
either one way or the other save at
the within OF the, wool trust. Inas-
much as the mills and the markets
for both raw and finished products
are controlled by the organization, IL
lis clear that men skilled In this
branch of industry have but one mar
ket for their labor.
They are compelled to accept what
ever conditions may be imposed and
such wages as may be offered.
believe that the matters embodied
in my resolution are OF the utmost
importance to the American people.
and II this combination Is dissolved, Ii
will result In broadening the market
OF the wool grower. relieve the con-
sumner OF wooden products from the
grasp of monopoly and emancipate
~ naonla In fro amploy