The Sentinel=record., 1912-02-14
JAS. ]. HILL
 A WITNESS
GIVES STEEL COMMITTEE SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT
 GREAT ORE LEASES.
Says He Win Be an Angel Before He Win Engage in the Steel Busi. ness-Belieyes compet-
 ton win Rule.

Washington, Feb l3-James J. Hlu told the Stanley investigating committee today Una. he would -be first-class angel with red and white feathers in my wings before he would go into the steel business. and predicted that competition would be the rule long after the present laws were wiped off the staue books.
 Mr. Hllls last day of testimony was replete a4th the epigrams and sage expressions for which he is noted He said the stockholders of the Great Northern railroad were 4not wearing a1y crepe" because the United States steel corporation. in its fight had cancelled the Great Northern ore lease
 You will be in a comfortable DO. sition no matter whether the lease is cancelled or mot, won't yoa?" sug- gested Chairman Stanley,
 You could start a steel company Of your cwu with i0010aoo tons oi ore in the ground?"
 "I will be a first-class angel with red and white feathers in my wings long before ever consider going in- 10 the steel business" replied Mr Hn "IH be 74 years old my next birthday and I don't mind telling you hat I've done about all the hard work | intend to do in my life"
 But you did at one time contem plate going into tae steel business. didn't you?" Chairman Stanley asked the question, tut-mattng that this was one Of the reasons that led the steel corporation 10 insist upon leasing the Hin ore lands.
 "I never did. said Mir. Hin Any reports of that kind were unrue"
 Just before the railroad builder wa excused, Representative T}ealI Of Texas called his attention to the dec laiations of E H. Gary, chairman of the board of the steel corporation, 10 the effect that the day of competition was passed in this country and tha the time was at hand when the gov erlment must regulate maximum and minimum prices of commodities
 q think you will have to tame hu man nature and eliminate all selfish motives that rule human beings ana every other form of life before you wili eliminate competition remarked Mr. Hitl There vill be competition Just as long as the doctrine of the survival of the fittest lasts, and that will be operating long after all our present statutes have been wiped off the books
 Do you think, then, it would be unwlse for the federal government 10 assume control of husiness2" asked Mr. Beall
 "l think when the federal govern ment does that it will be a very short step until there will be no foderal government" was Mr. Hurs quick re- ply.
 You think that such government would not be like a repuplic?'
 lt would be a monarchy return cd Mir Hill
 Chairman Stanley asked if MT Hin thought big corporations. operating under new ealaea-gule of business aided by the government in fixing prices and preventing them from hurt ing each other. but not preventing them from crushing labor, would aid in holding society together
 How long do you think this gov. ernmenl would last under such con ditlons?" asked Mr Stanley
 Oh, We might last a week. Mfr Hil smilingly replied
 Then you don't believe the gov ernment should undertake to regulate business?"
 'I would lay down the law Of right and wrong" said Mir Hill "I would limit the power of corporations l would see that every corporation that started business put all the moneS in. and would not be jealous on account of the size Of the corpo raticn. wouldn't permit any water
  ing of stocks. l would see that 100 cents on every dollar was put up and that money was on hand to take care oC It."
 Well, lou tried a railroad combL- nation once. didn't you" asked Rep