The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-06-13
KILL TRUST
OPPOSITION
Acting President Says That Was
Plans of American Sugar Co.
DAMAGING EVIDENCE
ON TRUST METHODS
Objected to Telling Investigators
For Fear II Would HarmMen
Under Indictment.

WASHINGTON. June IL. Ruling
that the facts regarding which former
officers OF the American Sugar Re-
lining company. including former Sec
retary Charles r. Heike. are under in
oictment and awaiting trial. are es-
sential to the inquiry. the house conn
mittee OF Investigation into the so-
called sugar trust affairs today re-
quired acting President Edwin + At
kins. OF the company, to answer ouea-
tons regarding its attempt to ACQUIRE
the Pennsylvania Sugar Refining COM
pany at Philadelphia. Counsel James
NJ; Beck, Tor the company. ineffectu-
any appealed to the committee not TO
go into this matter on the ground thar
former Officers Of the company are
awaiting trial I'm November on
charge OF conspiracy TO acquire the
pennsylvania property and that their
interests would be prejudiced II the
committee prejudiced the case.
Chairman Hardwick and the COM
mittee overruled this objection, say
ing the committee was directed to in
Vest.gate every phase OF the COM
panys operation. adding that there
was no intention OF prejudicing the
case.
HsVenneyer Made Deal.
Mr.. Atkins testified he had no dI-
Eenn-
sylvania transaction, which he said.
was negotiated under the presidency
OF Henry q. Havemsyer. He said he
protested years ago 10 Mr. Havemeyer
against the policy OF the company ac-
quiring beet sugar plants The com
pany officials point out that the com
pany has undergone thorough
change OF management and of policy
since the Havemeyer regime.
Discussing the relations between
the company and the beet sugar in
terests Mr. Atkins said: ,
Il asked Mr.. Havemeyer II Il was TO
be his policy TO build up the beet
sugar industry at the expense Of the
cane sugar refining industry. His an
swer was evasive. and told him that
II that wa TO be his policy. I would
sell my stock in the American Sugar
Rennins company. subsequently
did sell considerable OF my stock
Saw Big Rival.
Asked why he was opposed to the
company extending into the beet
sugar field. Mr.. Atkins declared that
II was simply his opinion as a busi-
ness man interested IN can sugar in
vestments. He foresaw in the west
ern field beet sugar industry grow
ing. which would become n formidable
competitor Of the American company,
and as an investor. he did not think
Z a good proposition to aid a rival
enterprise into n position where IL
would have important effect upon the
business Of the industry In which he
was financially interested Mr. At
kins stated that he did not know at
the time he talked 10 Mr. Havemeyer
that the former head OF the sugar
trust had already invested in western
beet sugar couecrns.
Mr.. Atkins testified today that tho
American Sugar Refining company's
stock is scattered all over the globe.
with 1889 stockholders I'm November.
1910. The average individual hold %
stock was said 10 be less than so
shares. and more than $500 share
holders own ten shares or under
Mr.. Atkins submitted statement
20 show that during 1910 the company
manufactured slightly more than ~
per cent Of the total consumption Of
sugar In the United States. while the
beet sugar companies manufactured IA
per cent. OF the II cane sugar refn-
cries In the United States. the refin-
ing company owns seNNn directly or
through subsidiary companies. and
has a stock interest, less than n ma
iority In four of the SIS factories
which produce beet sugar. The Amer
ican company IS interested through
stock ownership In 80.
The statement set forth that stock
holders of the American Sugar COM
pany include executors. guardians,
churches. Christian organizations,
hanks. mortgage and investment
companies. orphan asylums. hOspi-
tails. etc.