The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-28
MORMON PROPHET \ TELLS OF CHURCH'S DEALINGS IN NSUGAR Smith Says Havemeyer Took Personal Interest in
 Its Experiments kIS PRESIDENT OF
 UTAH-IDAHO FIRM Church Became Interested in Com pany and Havemeyer Went Into Contract With It's
 Stockholders

Washington, June 21-The Mormon church Is in the sugar business for the benefit of its people It sought Henry O. Havemeyer' help to extend its sugar l enterprises, not because he was Have . meyer, but because his money would be | for the benefit of the Mormon people; it . regarded Havemeyer not as an indus .'trial pirate" but rather as a benefactor and in combining with him in the beet sugar business the heads of the Mormon church believe that no law of the United States was violated.
 This in substance was the declaration to the House sugar trust Investigating committee today of Joseph F. Smith, president of the Mormon church and president of the Utah-Tdaho Sugar com pany He was supported in his testi- mony by Bishop Charles Nibley, business manager of the Mormon church, who also testified
 The Mormon leaders attracted wide at tention and were followed on the wit hess stand by ". G. Gilmore, managing partner of Arbuckle Bros. competitors of khe American Sugar Refining company, (. ho will be examined tomorrow.
 Washington. June ,27-President Joseph F. Smith of the Mormon church was the principal witness at today's hearing of the House committee on investigation of the so-caled sugar trusts. The oath was administered to him by Chairman Hard wick
 MT Smith was accompanied to the hear tng room by Senator Reed Smoot, Bishop C. s. Sibley, business manager of the Mormon church: Thomas R. Cutler, a for mer bishop of the church and Represen- tatIve John Howell With the party also was R. w. Young of Salt Lake City counsel for the representatives of the Mormon hiarchy.
 This was not Mir. Smiths first experi- enct before a congressional committee Many present today when the Mormon leades appeared recalled his visit during tns Investigation into the right of Senator knoot to retain his seat
 eTholgh his mission today was an en- bfirely different one-submission to exam 7 1nation as to business relations of the Mormon church with the American Sugar Refining company through the Utah. 1daho Sugar Refining company-it was eN- pected the interests of his people in Nor fnonism would not escape inquiry.
 Is President of Company
 MT Smith said that of the Utah-Idaho Sugar Refining company. in which he has trustee holdings, more than 41JOOO shares are owned by the sugar trust Henry |O. Havmeyer having taken personal in- terest in the experiments of the Nor mon in the beet sugar industry and Financed their enterprises.
 Have you any official connection with the Utah-Idaho Sugar company" asked Chairman Hardwick at the outset of to- hays session.
 'fT am president of the company Mir. Smith replied
 Do you own any stock?"
 Yes, sir. own about 5000 shares indi- vidually."
 Do you own any stock in a represen- kative capa city?H
 Yes hold 4a,s15 shares for the church. The titleis held in the name of Joseph F. Smith, trustee.
 Church Assisted Stockholders
 Mir. Smith said the church became in- ferested in the Utah-Idaho Sugar com fdnN Wnen ndiy people WilO SuDSCflDeu Tailed to pay for their stock and the Company under bond to complete beet Fugar factory was unable to do it. The church was appealed to by the stock holders to assist, which it did to the eX- tent of $50,O00.
 Did the church ever go into partner bhlp with Henry O. Havemeyer?"
 'The church never did, but the stock holders did" Did the church take legal advice as to whether the combination with Mir. Have | meyer was lawful or unlawful?' The church did not. but the company consulted it's attorneys, l think. as to the Legality of the deal. I am not sure of that blh reasonable certain that it was Zone while the church itself has nothing to do with the business Investments or holdings It's business holdings are looked after by me as trustee and I do the best l cau. The church itself takes no part
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