The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-12-25
TRUST
IS ALLEGED
Probable That Big Probe VIII
be Started

Washington, ID. c., Dec. 26s-There
is good ground for believing that the
democratic house Of representatives
will order an investigation of the
methods of the so-called money trust"
and ocean steamship trust some
time in January. Representative
Henry OF Texas, chairman of the COM
mittee on rules, is much impressed
with the necessity for such an investi-
cation. His committee recently gave
hearings to Representatives Lenroot
Of Wisconsin and Humphrey OF WASH
ington their resolutions providing for
the investigation of these combines.
Mr.. Henry believes that such trusts
exist and that their relations are OF
so friendly nature that joint inves-
tigation Of the two combines should
be ordered and strong committee
appointed to conduct non-partisan
Investigation with no idea of either
party making political capital out of It.
Messrs. Lenroot and Humphrey are
anxious that both Investigations be
conducted by joint committees of the
house and senate. Whether the house
win consent to let the senate share
in any glory that may result from
these investigations has not yet been
decided. The Lindbergh resolution
would have a committee ascertain
whether a combine exists which con-
trolls the money and credits of the
country and. though that control. OPP
crate in restraint OF trade and In vio-
lation Of the law. The Minnesotan is
perfectly sure that such a combine or
trust exists. He declares he has
seen evidence OF Its work even in
small towns that have banking facil-
tiles and in great many other places.
Mr.. Humphrey told the committee
on rules that he could absolutely nrove
the existence Of a steamship trust, for
the most part by documentary evil
dence. good deal OF which already
il in his possession. Before the
committee he indicted the steamship
combine or combines and confer
encesv on large number of counts,
including the charge that they pay
rebates to the Standard Oil Co.. the
International Harvester Co.. the Unit
ed States Steel corporation and other
great agRregations OF capital which
give them q distinct advantage in the
foreign trade in their respective lines.
Another charge was that the steam
ship combines dictate passenger and
freight rates In this country on i'm
ported goods indeed, some Of Mr.
Humphreys statements seemed very
extraVaeant. But he agreed to produce
absolute proof to substantiate them,
and the committee could hardly ask
for more than this.
while cannot speak for the entire
committee on rules, said Chairman
Henry in discussing this matter Il am
heartily In favor OF an Investigation
along the lines indicated The Hum
p]arey resolution has a bearing on the
proposed steamship line to South AM
erica The prospects for an American
line Of fast steamers operating through
the canal undoubtedly have been
blighted by the money and shipping
trusts. The people are entitled 70
know the facts about these combine
tions. II there Is a money trust, or
ganixed or unorganized. we should ind
1t out. II there Is not Il is Just as ifr-
portant to learn the truth. The inves~
tigation as proposed, in my Judgment.
would be the most important under
taking OF this congress. In saying this
/ do not want to be understood as
discounting the excellent work which
has been done b. the steel trust. the
sugar trust and other Investigating
committees, but do believe that the
money trustif such thing exists
and the shippins trust together con
troll the other trusts. "