The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-05-02
DEFENDS HIS COMPANY.
Harvester President Declares X Has
Not Oppressed Consumer.

Not Oppressed Consumer.
Chicago. May g.--In regard 10 the
suit filed at ST. Paul by the govern
ment against the International Har-
vester company. Cyrus II. McCOr-
mick president of the harvester COM
pany, said: "1'he International Har-
yester case differs radically in it's facts
from all the so-called trust cases here
tofore decided under the Sherman law
The international Harvester company
was organized in 1902 for the purpose
of securing economy in the manufac
ture and sale or harvesting mac hinery.
and of increasing the foreign trade. 1t
had no water i'm its capitalization. and
it has earned only reasonable return
on its capital. less than per cent per
unnum on the average. The prices
of it's machines arc now substantially
the same as in 1909. Notwithstanding
an increase of r. per cent in raw ma
terial prices and 30 per cent In wages
The company has caused large saw
ing to American farmers in the cost
Of agricultural implements. II has not
creased the foreign trade in cultural
implements fourfold IN nine years. Its
foreign sales H. 1917 were over $4,000
000. IL has not sold cheaper abroad
than at home. It's treatment of it's
customers its employments, it's agents
and its competitors has been in ac-
cord with the HIGHEST standard of
ethics and honorable business meth
ods.
Quotes Missouri Decision.
THE charges of misconduct found
in the bill have been met and dis
proved by the company in other cases;
and they will fail again. because they
are untrue. The supreme court of
Missouri. i'm suit i'm which these
charges We're fully gone into, said.
Ion the whole, the evidence shows
that the International Harvester COM
pany has not used its power to Cypress
or injure the farmers who are its GUS
toners. The price OF har-
vesting machines has not increased in
proportion to the Increased cost of
construction or the increased merit oi
the machines and respondent has
brought other farm implements into
trade.
"The organizers of this company
acted under the advice of able coun-
sci and in the sincere belief that they
were violating no law. II under later
decisions it should be held that the
law was violated. it could only De
through the creation OF a power To op-
press. which has never been exercised
Negotiation With Government.
more than six years ago the COM
pany asked for its investigation by the
United States government and opened
all it's books and records for inspcc-
ton and furnished all information re-
quested No suggestion of any change
In it's business methods has been made
TO 1t by the government at any time
Recently fun and frank discussion
OF the whole situation has been had
between the representatives of the gov
ernment and the company, in an hon
est desire on both sides to avoid liti-
CATION. Some plan may yet he found
which will obviate the necessity of any
protracted litigation by satisfying the
claims made under the sherman act
without seriously impairing the eco
nomic advantages and benefits secured
| by the organization of this company.
No form of reorganization. however,
was suggested ny the government thai
seemed practically possible
"The government has been careful
To avoid embarrassment to the foreign
business from the litigation; the bill
makes no attack on. and seeks no
change in, the export business of the
company. The Hing OF the bill will
in no way interfere with the company's
carrying on It's business the same as
heretofore"