The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-08-04
TALKED Of THE
GARY DINNERS
John A. Topping, Chairman of
Republic Steel and Iron
Board, Before Committee.
PRICES DISCUSSED
IN A GENERAL WAY
Witness Did Not Recognize the
Golden Rule" Idea of
Chairman Gary.

NEW YORK, Aug 3.-John A. Top
ming. chairman OF the board OF oiree'ois
Of the Republic Steel & Iron COMPANY
which recently cut prices on steel pFoo-
ucts. told the house committee OF III
uuIry into the affairs of the on''eu
states Steel corporation today th2t no
agreement 20 maintain prices existed 9e
tween the steel corporation anu 'hVe
pendent companies. ,t.s,or
of the so-called Gary dinners Wnete la
steel men assemble TO discuss the traue, e,
that al a. Gary dinner just after the Ie-
nublic company had cut prices last MAY,
he had not been present Mr. topp,nS
said he did not know nv wnesneIb nenmbl,c m com
pnny had slashed the price.
Before going into the price ouestion'
Mr.. Topping. who formerly vas n mem nona
pany syndicate. told the committee .hht
at the time OF the transfer OF ghe rem
nessee company TO the United states
sell his stock. but did go out OF frieno-
ship for Grant B. Schley.
Excessive Ore Rates.
Mr. Topping also discussed the control
Of ore freight shipping from the superior
region 10 Pittsburg by the United states
Steel corporation
he predicted the increasing strength OF
Independent concerns eventuaiiy "ou'o
force change In these frelEnt rates,,
In response TO questions by Represcnta
tive Bartlett OF Georgia regarding steel
price agreements. Mr.. Topping said ne
had not recognized any golden rune Oh
prices such as has been talked anoul
since Chairman Gary of the United states
Steel corporation inauguIated his DAN
quets.
do you know OF the existence OF any any
agreement TO maintain level OF pricsss
as to steel rails and otner product?'
Il don't said Mr.. Topping. s
when did the Republic Iron IL steer
COMPANY begin To cut prices:
Il think ii was last May.
Purpose of Gary Dinner.
The purpose of the Gary dinner Mr.
Topping said. was general desire on
tho part of steel men 10 DISCUSS socio-
logical technical and other questions OF
mutual advantage.
Wasn't any such surdid SUBJECT as
prices ever talked about?
mot specifically; In general way.
perhaps.
''Wcrc not the men who attended the
dinners put on their honor to maintain
prices?
IT think no one was bound to do any
thing more than TO look out for the best
interests OF his own business
Chairman Stanley asked the witness II
he had been invited to attend the In
ternatlonal conference OF steel manufac-
turers at Brussels last July. He said
he had. but declined. This was before
the Republic cut prices.
Did you notify Judge Gary OF the re
publics Intention to cut steel prices?''
II think did notify him.
WHY
oh 1t was not necessary to do so:
] told him as Il matter OF course Ihere
was no reason TO conceal II.
A German View,
Chairman Stanley read comments in
German iron journal on the Brussels
conference. which charged that American
steel men we're attempting to introduee
American trust methods to control steel
prices OF the world.
do you believe a practical bust
ness man." Stanley then asked that
this effort made in Brussels TO fix prices
all over the world will escape parlia-
ments OF Europe as price fixing has es
capped here. and that this American In
stItutIon can be fastened on the rest OF
the world? 2?
II doubt It very much" Mr., Topping
said, even II it were practical"
Representative Sterling. following a
cago are charged the PIttsburG price
plus the freight rate from Pittsburg 10
Chicago on products made in Chicago
plants. asked Mr Topplns II he thought
IL proper for the interstate commerce
commission 10 put Chicago and Pitts
burg on the same plane with reference
TO ore freight rates,
II think II proper" Mr., Topping said,
for the commission to make rate
based on fair profit per ton per mile"
Dispute With Counsel.
Late today the committee held an ex-
ecutve session with Richard Y. Linda
bury. counsel for the United States Steel
corporation. regarding subpoenas duces
tecum which have been issued for Rich
ard Trimblc. secretary OF the steel cor
poration. 10 produce documents and cost
sheets relating TO the corporations af-
fairs.
A difference between the committee
and the corporation has arisen over the
production OF the original cost sheets.
The corporation regards the sheets as
secret Informal lion which. " made public.
would prove Of advantage TO competitors.
IL has agreed 10 submit an epitome
OF cost taken from the cost sheets
II these do not prove to be what the
committee desires demand for the cost
sheets will be made. and this may throw
the matter into the courts
Spectacular wild west show, Saltnir.
Saturday night, $50. Admission soc
Reserved seats 7jc.
Mrs Lizzie Thomas Edward and tbe