Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-27
Bell Bros,
Successors to Geo. w. Brown Co.
GARDINER, ME.
ily2s-27
WILL GO ON.
Continued from Page One.)


has been conducted by Special Assist
ant Attorney General Gregg for the de-
partment of justice during the past
four or five months. and has just been
completed, Attorney General Wicker
sham has today directed United States
Attorney French and Mr.. Gregg to
present the evidence obtained to the
federal grand jury which has been
summoned for Tuesday of next week"
Attorney General Swift. who recent
ly started an inquiry into the business
of the United States Shoe Machinery
CO. at the instance of Gov. Foss said
that the federal action will not neees-
sarily affect the investigation which
he is making. THE fact that it took
SO long to get the evidence together
indicates the enormity of the task of
investigation" he added.
Boston, July Pas the result Of an
investigation of the United Shoe Ma
ehinery Co. by Special Assistant At
torney General Gregg for the depart
ment of justice. during the past four
or five months and has just been COM
pleted, Attorney General Wickersham
has today directed United States At
torney French and Mr.. Gregg to pre-
sent the evidence obtained to the fed
eeral grand jury. which has been
summoned in for that purpose on
Tuesday of next week.
1t is understood that the attention of
the government was brought to the
matter by complaints that the Unit
ed Shoe Machinery Co. the so-ealled
shoe machinery trust is monopoly
in restraint of trade under the Sher-
man law.
Another allegation against the COM
pany is that it has infringed upon the
patent laws of the United States.
While the federal investigation had
been conducted quietly. news that the
government agents were at work leak
ed out of the big shoe factories al
Brockton. Mass. Shoe factory mer
there stated that the first intimatior
of an investigation came when letters
were received stating that an agent
from Washington would call upon
them.
The announcement that the govern
ment has been probing into the shoe
machinery situation in Massachusetts
follows close upon the heels of APP
pears that nave Deen ndue by GON.
Foss for a state Investigation.
Several weeks ago the Governor gent
a special message to the Legislature.
asking for new legislation that would
cover the alleged monopoly by the
United Shoe Machinery Co. The com
mittee on rules promptly replied that
the Hisgen anti-monopoly bill WAS de-
signed to meet just such a situation
and reported mo legislation neces-
sary." This was followed two days
later by second special message from
the Governor. accompanied by a let
ter from the president of a large shoe
manufacturing concern in Massachu
sets urging that some action be taken
This message is before the committee
on rules of the Legislature which ha
called a public hearing for tomorrow
Then Governor Foss sent memo
randum to Attorney General Swift, de
manding an immediate investigation
OF the methods of the shoe machiner.
industry. Attorney General Swift sen
word back to the Governor that h
would like to have the Chief Execu
i've to send him all evidence he nigh
haze in his possession. Governor Eos
promptly replied that ii was not tn
duty of the Governor to supply evi
dence or to conduct Investigations TO
tie attorney generals office. The attor
ney general then stated that he mere
" asked the Governor for whateye
information he might have in his OF
fee. The news of the federal investigs
tion came today before the GoVernc
had replied to the attorney general.
The Boston newspapers today put
lisb notice addressed to the she
manufacturers of Massachusetts.
reads:
..Tbe United Shoe Machinery g
hopes that the shoe manufacturers
Massachusetts who use its machine
viii be fully represented at the stat
House before the committee on r,lie