The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-07-14
REPORTED ONLY
To bONAP PARTE
Former Assistant Attorney Gen
raj Testifies Regarding the
Sugar Trust Indictment.
BELIEVED EVIDENCE
INSURED CONVICTION
Not Willing to Express Opinion
on Governments Failure
to Prosecute.

WASHINGTON, July 13.--Former
Assistant Attorney General Milton A.
Purdy of Minneapolis. Minn., told the
today that he never officially knew why
Attorney General Bonaparte did not
prosecute the officials of the American
Sugar Refining company in 1906 for
alleged otfenses a connection with the
absorption Of the Pennsylvania Sugar
Refining company IN 1908.
1t was this transaction which caused
the indictment OF tne American Sugar
Refining company officials and other in
divlduals, who soon will be tried.
Mr.. Purdy declared that while acting
attorney general in Roosevelt's cabi-
net he had been much impressed by the
facts set forth to him by George H.
Earle, Jr.. Of Philadelphia, who pursued
the ''sugar trust officials in the case
and believed at the time that the case
should be prosecuted He reported all
she facts to Attorney General Bonaparte
after his appointment late in 1906, and
and was never informed by Mr.. Bona
parte why the prosecution was not
pressed.
Reported to Bonaparte.
Mr.. i2urdy said he never reported to
President Roosevelt in this or any other
matter. He reported only to Mr., Bona
partc.
''Did Mr. Bonaparte ever tell you
that the Knight case controlled in this
case and that was the reason why there
was no prosecution 20 asked Represent
ative Sulzer of New York.
"He never did that recall. /"
Mr.. Pnrdv was examined closely re-
garding his report to Attorney General
Bonapartc.
II nj sure he said, "ihat [ gave
the attorney general To understand my
opinion OF the case, and that ] believed
If the facts as stated were true, they
warranted full investigation and indict-
mcnts and were sufficient, if proved, to
warrant coaTictiOns.
Following his interview with Mr.,
Bonaparte the matter passed entirely
from his hands, Mr.. Purdy said
''Was it after YOU had expressed
Yourself on this case?' asked Repre-
sentative Raker, "that YOU received
an appointment TO the federal bench,
and that the appointment was not con-
frmed by the senate''
A Possible Reason
"Do YOU think that your expression
of fearlessncss II enforcing the law
had anything TO do with your failure
to be confirmed?'
al do not know anything about
that"
"Well,'' Mr.. Raker responded. 81
will leave the matter there and let
the public nudge whether your fearless
attitude for prosecution of violators of
the antitrust law influenced the mem
bers OF the United States senate to
withhold confirmation of your appoint
ment to federal iudgeship,'
Frank c. Lowry, general salesman
of the Federal Sugar Refining COM
pany. testified today that lower tar
ifs on sugar or free admission of sugar
would actually reduce the cost of sugar
to the consumer. and that beet sugar
men exaggerated their fear that free
sugar would ruin their industry. but he
believed that free sugar would lDlure
the Louisiana cane sugar industry.
tigating committee goes to New York
next week 10 continue It's inquiry il will
send subcommittee 10 the home of
John Arbuckle. head OF the firm of Ar
buckle Brothers. II Mr.. Arbuckle Is un
able 10 appear at the hearing there
He is too III 10 come To Washington
in response To the committees request
end probably Will not be able TO attend
the New York hearing.
Mr.. Arbuckle. whose interests are COM
petitive with those OF the American Su-
committee 10 reveal vital information
concerning the operations OF the 'trus:
and lts control OF the country's sugar
business.