New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-01
Criminal Proceedings Against
Future ViOIatorS of Anti
Trust Law.
HIS SUGAR AND STEEL FEES
Frankly Says He Received $780,
900 in Private Practice-De-
tends Settlement of the
Sugar Fraud Suits.
rrrom The ,fribun. Bureau. D.,


those who violate the Sherman anti
trust law. Attorney General Wickersham
rather took the edge off Of Democratic
expectations to-day when he appeared
before House committee to explain
various alleged shortcomings of the De-
rartment Of Justice. II is true that the
committee learned that Mr. Wickersham
had once advised in his private capacity
a. attorney and before assuming pubic
office a horrible thing known as a
trust" but Mr. Wickersham's testl-
mony, on the whole, was disappointing
to the hunters for Democratic campaign
material.
Why have you not proceeded with
criminal prosecutions against the otf-
Gals of the Sugar Trust and the Stand
ard Oil trust" asked Chairman Beall,
of the House Committee on Expenditures
n the Department of Justice.
Mr.. Wickersham replied that that
question might be answered by the fact
that the Supreme Court has only recent
~ decided these cases. that the records
are voluminous and that clear inter-
probation of the Sherman law was first
necessary.
1T must be admitted" explained the
Attorney General, that there has been
an unwillingnoss heretofore on the part
Of juries and courts to send men to
prison under the antitrust law. This
reluctance was we'll understood before
the Supreme Court handed down its deh-
mite construction Of the law the other
day. | think change is coming in the
attitude of juries and judges, and that
conditions will be materially modified
under the decisions mentioned"
Although he did not specifically say so,
It was to be inferred from Mr.. wicker
sham's statement that criminal prosecu-
tons may be undertaken by the Depart
ment OF Justice after it has digested the
Supreme Court decisions.
Democratic Expectations.
To-day's examination of the Attorney
General was heralded in Democratic cir
cles as prospective "grilling." 1t was
proposed to ascertain why this trust and
that trust had not been prosecuted; why
the government accepted settlement III
the sugar customs frauds and why the
friar lands in the Philippines were sold.
Mr.. Wickersham frankly said that in
his private capacity as an attorney he
had advised the United States Steel Cor
poration on several occasions from 1910
70 1909 He was then a member OF the
firm of Strong & Cadwalader. The pres
ent Attorney General did not hesitate
also to say that as a member Of the firm
he had shared in fee paid by the
American Sugar Refining Company TO
Henry W. Taft, another member he
said his share was about $4,000. lie
showed no disposition to conceal any
thing. even though the Democratic COM
mittee did appear to be straining a point
in it's investigation
Mr.. Wickersham went fully into the
details Of the settlement with the Amerl-
can Sugar Refining Company because OF
the customs frauds The 100000 pay
ment. he thought. was the best possible
arrangement, as 1t was doubtful If the
government, with the evidence in its
possession. could have obtained heavier
penalties through long drawn out legal
proceedings.
Mr.. Wickersham said he believed
prison sentences would be the most ef
fective means of enforcing respect for
the antitrust law. Criminal prosecu~
tons against the meat packers, milk
dealers. grocers, the naval stores and
window glass combinations and other al
legged violators of the antitrust law, he
said. would be augmented by other pros
ecutions. ON this subject the govern
ment had definite plans.
The Attorney General was asked by
Mr.. Beall as To the cotton cases In New
York. but he refused to disclose the gov
ernments future action. Asked why ac-
lions were brought against those seek
ing 10 increase the price Of raw cotton
rather than against the spinners and the
bears who were trying To depress II, Mr..
Wickersham said the government had
believed it much easier to reach the
seven men controlling the raw cotton
pool, against whom it had exact in
formation.
The statute of limitations has not run
against the others" he added. If the
government is sustained in this first cot
ton case the other combinations ma. be
attacked"
Has there ever been any investiga-
ton Of the attempt of bears To depresS
cotton prices in New York and New Or
leans" Chairman Beall asked
NO: | have never had any facts
show q violation Of the antitrust law in
such matters Mr. Wickersham replied
Mr.. Wickersham said that after he be-
came Attorney General John Henry
Hammond represented Strong & Cad
waladcr as counsel tar the so-called
SUGAR Trust in ,i:c purchase Of the friar
lands. He added that at the time he
ca,, bis opinion permitting the sale Of
these lands he did not know that lam
mond represented the president OF the
American Sugar Refining Company. Mr..
HaVomeyer
When asked about the connection OF
the finn with steel affairs Mr.. Wicker
sham said:
Il personally have advised the United
states steel Corporation in one or two
matters
Did Strong & Cadawaladcr ever rep
resent tie New York Cotton Exchange?"