The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-15
JOE SMITH IS CALLED.
Sugar Trust Committee Subpoenas
Head of the Mormon Church.

Washington, June 15-Joseph F.
Smith, head of the Mormon church,
has been summoned to appear be-
fore the house sugar trust investigat-
ing committee to tell what he knows
of the formation of the Utah-Idaho
Sugar company, a combination. SEN
ator Smoot of Utah made an unsuc-
cessful effort to have the Mormon
president excused, insisting that
| Thomas r. Cutler of Salt Lake could
supply all the information deslreo
from Mr Smith.
| The committee. after considering the
matter, decided that Mr.. Smith shoulo
appear in person.
Senator Smoot of Utah asked me
to submit to the committee request
that Mr.. Smith be excused from tes-
tifying before the commlttee on tne
! grounds that Thomas Cutler knows
everything that Mr. Smith can posslply
testify to, and more, tCo, explalneu
Chairman Hardwick to the comInl'Ieet I:
81 told Mr.. SmOot that Wnlle the Ilst
of witnesses had been arranged py
subcommittee and there had been no
formal vote did not feel like taking
the authority on myself to DO IT, MY
own view is, considering the aIlegallon
in the bill filed by the government
that Joseph F. Smith is material wit
ness-he is one of the two or three
men that the district attorney OF New
York and attorney general OF the
United States have alleged We're re-
sponsible for the formation OF tne
! TTtah-Tdaho combination" Congress
man Baker moved that he be not ex-
cused and the motion carried. Otner
prominent witnesses summoned py Ihe
committee today were:
| Alfred Harrison and Charles K. Har-
rison of the Franklin sugar KeIlnlns
| company, Philadelphia; H. Havemeyer'
New York; Charles B. Warren, Detrolt,
| Chester S Morey, Denver; John h.
Harper, Cleveland; Thomas r. Cutler
Salt Lake City; John d. Spreckles ana
Adolph Spreckles, San Francisco.
| A resolution adopted in 1888 by the
directors of the American Sugar Refln-
| ing company authorizing their commit
| tee to fix the price of sugar and TO puE
the output of outside refinertes at |
confronted the officials of the company |
today when they appeared before the |
house committee
The resolution had been found in the |
minute books of the company. Repre-
sentative Madison had the resolution |
read as a preliminary to his examina-
ton of Lowell M. Palmer, former d.
rector of the company, to follow the
conclusion of the testimony of Charles
r. Heike. formerly secretary of the
company.
Heike's Examination Resumed.
In beginning examination Chairman
IIarwick told Mr.. Heike he wanted TO
inquire into his personal knowledge
and not his official relations with the
American Sugar Refining company.
Did not you have at the time an
idea Of the purpose of the merger OF
the sugar refineries?'' Mr.. Harwick
said.
'I knew less then than now" replied
Mr. Heike.
"WelI, from your present knowledge
what would you say was the purpose?'
"a large company can do business at
a reduced cost"
"And there is less competitfon?" sug-
gested Mr.. Harwick.
Probably Heike said. He then told
the committee that when he appeared
before the grand jury in New York the
district attorney had notified him on
what subjects he would be examined.
'"That has not been done in this case
and I am not so well prepared to an
swer questions" he added
Still relying on the witness personal
knowledge Chairman Hardwick asked
Mr.. Heike for his estimate of the hold
ings of President H. o. Havemeyer at
the time he swayed the company.
"Oh, one, or two hundred shares in
his own name" was the response.
did his family hold none?"
Probably 1000 shares
did Havemeyer ever unload any of
his stock?"
L would not say unload. would
say Sold He never owned much in
his own name anyway"
Mr.. Heike offered at one point in his
testimony to tell about his indictment
growing out of the so-called sugar
frauds. Mr.. Hardwick stopped him, ex-
planning that another committee Con
expenditures in the department of JUS
tice), probably would ask him to ap-
pear before it. before he got out of
town.
Mr.. Heike's concluding testimony
stirred up a discussion of tariff poll
cies.
Il believe that each country should
produce what it can produce cheapest,
said Mr.. Heike- Il am a free trader
Mr.. Hardwick asked if he would have
free trade in raw sugar.
Yes, but I would take the tariff off
gradually"
Heike's views stirred Representative
Fordney, a standpat Republican from
Michigan.
L would have the duty taken off
slowly over a period of 20 years." ex-
planed Mr.. Heike.
'Oh, -" exclaimed Mr.. Fordney.
half of us will be dead by that time ;"
-4
Boston Negro Is Confirmed
Washington, June 15.-After a fight
waged by southern senators for more
than two months, the senate has con-