New-York tribune., 1912-01-17
LEVY WARNS DEMOCRATS
Their Craze for Investigations
DemoraIizing Business.
Ion The TrIbune Bnreau


Washington. Jan. lG-Adyising his fellow
Democrats that their craze for investiea-
ton IS demoralizng business, Representa-
tive Jefferson Levy appealed 10 the Rules
Committee to-day not TO report resolu-
ton providing for an inquiry into the al
legged money trust" the shipping trust and
the harvester trust The New York Demo
crat frankly told the committee that busi-
ness and the country are tired OF the dozen
or more bootless Investigations already IN
progress.
I'VE have nothing but Investigations,
said Representative Levy. "Why not do
something to help business? II is costing
the government and the corporations mill
ions for ali these inquiries you have start
ed You are tying up business in the United
States, and the constant agitation is ruin
ing us commercially"
Despite this frank warning from one OF
the most successful business men in the
House the Rules Committee seems deter
mined 10 launch the triple trust investiga-
tion. Democratic members of the commit
tee recently recalled that William jennings
Bryan. at the Jackson Day dinner, had ad-
vised the assembled Democrats mot to per-
NIT this Congress to adjourn without an
Investigation OF the money trust " The ad-
monition Of the Peerless One came about
dawn. at the close Of his long speech. and
its significance was missed In the general
confusion incident TO the departure OF tired
guests Governor Wilson OF New Jersey
has also declared In favor Of investigating
the money trust" so the duty of the Rules
Committee IL plain, and Mr.. Levys timely
protest probably will be unavailing.
Mr. Levy advised the committee to-day
IN frame remedial legislation, instead Of
investigating" corporations.
Are the business interests afraid OF these
inouiries?" asked Representative CampDeh.
"No. but they are kept on edge all the
time" replied Mr.. Levy. They want re-
lief. They want the Sherman law corrected
and made plain"
"uow? BY repeaI?v asked Representative
Foster, OF Illinois.
NO l don't say that" answered MI
Levy.
The New York Democrat expressed the
belief that If the Sherman law were en-
forced absolutely a great panic would foi-
low
Eenresentative Pou, a member OF the
RuIes Committee, wanted 10 know II the
manic would be in retaliation for the inquiry
into the money trust.
"There is no such thing as that sort OF
retaliation" vigorously replied Mr.. Levy
ubo claims j. Pierpont Morgan as con-
st,,uent but who told the committee to-day
bat he seldom saw Mr.. Morgan and never
bad had any business dealings with him.
The committee received a statement from
A A,h,,cLte Rrothers, of New York, importers
~ coffee from Brazil. setting forth that the
.,,rdicate steamship lines operating be-
.,,oor the United States and South America
hod refused 10 carry their coffees even at
,,u .,,rdicate or conscience rates" unless
,ho Arhuckles promised not to ship coffee
b., .ha ,rdependent line The statement al
Ieges that the company is being deprived of
nrofits by the syndicate's action.
pa,,,asertative Hardy. Of Texas. asserted
,hat American capital was largely interest
"a IN foreign shipping combinations. 1t
was a "combination Oh coinpinauohs con-
,ront,o foreign and coastwise shipping
rates and domestic railroad rates as well.
3. N. Baker, Of Baltimore testified that
there was shipping trust and that Con-
eress had the prsof OF 1t In many docu-
ments.
A meeting Of the Steel Committee has
been called for next Monday when SUBJ
penas recurring President j. j. Farrell and
other officers of the corporation 10 appear
with their hooks and documents are return
able.
The Committee on Naval Affairs to-day
so,onaod resolution by Chairman Stanley
30 as - ask for general report from the
secretary Of the Navy on all expenditures
and bids for srmor. armorplate and ammu-
milton this nscal year,