The Washington times., 1911-05-09
HOUSE UNANIMOUS
IN MOVE TO SMOKE
OUT SUGAR TRUST
Committee Is Named to In
vestigate Alleged Mo-
: nopoly.

Without dissenting vote the House
today directed an investigation of the
Sugar trust; called upon Secretary
Meyer for information as to an alleged
monopoly in letting the shoe contracts
of the navy, and ordered the Secretary
of the Treasury to explain why work
has not been started on the new build
ing for the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing.
Representative Sheppard, in demand
ing the latter information, described
conditions in the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing as intolerable, and de-
clared there was no excuse for the
three years delay in the beginning OF
the new building.
The adoption of the Hardwick resolu-
ton to investigate the American Sugar
Refining Company and all other sugar
manufacturers, cane after an hours de-
bate, during which il was urged that
the inquiry should be removed from
politics 4 special committee of nine
members will conduct the investigation.
Charges Robbery.
Representative Hardwick. reporting
his resolution. charged that the Sugar
trust is robbinG the American consunr-
ers of 500 O.OOO,v 100 a year. A part Of this
extortion he declared. was due to the
protective tariff. This caused former
Speaker Cannon to suggest that the
Investigation should be along non-p1r-
tisan lines and without political prece-
dence
Representative Mann, the minority
leader, said that the only criticism of
the inquiry was that the Sugar trust
officials who appeared before the Con-
Eressional committee might plead i'm
nIunity when brought into the courts on
the information developed during the
investigation. He suggested that in
some way the immunity statute ought
10 be revised so that the violators of
the law could not hide behind 1t when
brought into the courts.
Representative Cooper of Wisconsin
wanted to amend the resolution so that
all hearings shall be open to the pub
lie, but the resolution went through in
unamended form.
Attacks Delay.
In urging the adoption of the resolu-
ton to ascertain the cause of the delay
IN the erection of the new building for
the Bureau OF Ensravind and Printing
Mr.. Sheppard said:
This building was appropriated for
three years ago. At that time the con-
ditions at the engraving plant were al
most intolerable. They are worse to-
day. | understand this delay has been
occasioned by the inability Of the Fine
Arts Commission to agree upon plans.
We would like some explanation of why
this much-needed building has not yet
been begun, although the site has been
available for II since the original appro-
priation was made.
DO you mean to say" asked Repre-
sentative Sims, that the Fine Arts
Commission can hold up an apprUurfa-
tion of congress just through its failure
To agree on some scheme of decora-
tion!''
1T looks that way" responded Mr..
sheppard. I'VE have asked the Treas
ury Department for an explanation Of
the situation and that is the one fur
nished."
The House then adopted the resolu-
ton, which asks the Treasury Depart
been made for the building and why
actual work has not started.
Asks Meyer to Explain.
Equally short work was made of the
resolution, reported only today from the
Naval Affairs Committee, directing Sec
retary Meyer to advise If there exInts
anv monopoly in the awarding Of con-
tracts for the shoes of the navy. Such
q charge was recently made on the floor
OF the House by Representative Difen-
derfer, Of Pennsylvania, who alleged
that Hermann & Co. control such a
monopoly.
The Secreatry is directed o furnish
the House with all the information on
file at the department as to the num-
Der OF shoe contracts made within the
past ten wears, together with the sue
cessful and unsuccessful bidders.