Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-11

rails and the price had been up said MI
Carnegie.
Il do not think s2s an unreasonable
price II there was a boom the price
would have been higher.
Il was in the business of making
money. and wanted the highest prices
| could get. If ! wanted to sell for
$50 and the consumer was satisfied to
buy at that price. that wouldn't be I'M
fair. would it,?
Mr. Carnegie said the day of COM
petition had passed. because of the
ability of manufacturers to fix and
maintain prices. Men," said he. have
prices and maintain them"
do you believe that situation today
destroys competition? asked Represent
alive Beall.
Certainly.
That men in these corporations mee
somewhere today TO fix and maintain
prces?''
II think that is obvious
Still Favors Price Control.
Mr.. Carnegie was asked If he agreed
today with the Views he expressed two
Years ago. urging government control OF
corporations and regulation of prices.
Il still do adhere TO Them" he an
swered. 81 believe the government
should regulate maximum prices
Don't you think 1t an unfortunate con-
dition?'
Il think the time has arrived when
that is necessary and 1 point to the in
terstate commerce comm ssion. which has
brought order. peace and justice out OF
chaos in the railroad business"
Don't you think there is distinction
between a great railroad corporation ana
the big industrial corporations?"
IF the industrial corporations combine
and make arbitrary prices. ! see no dif-
ference
Mr. Carnegie asked permission to read
statement on industrial conditions
which he had submitted to the commit
tee some time ago. This was granted and
Mr. Carnegie read his paper Members
Of the committee listened intently as the
witness proceeded.
Ignorant Of the Law.
Chairman Stanley, calling attention OF
Mr. Carnegie to the fact that his company
violated the law in engaging in illegal
pools. asked him IL, in his opinion. II
would not be well to severely punish mil
lionaires who break the law as an exam
pie to other mililonaires.
"Mr. Chairman, would not be vindic-
tive to the man who erred In ignorance Of
the law said Mr.. Carnegie. There is .
difference between the man who unknow-
ingly breaks the Law and a rogue. know
many great men who had to do with price
liking agreements who never would have
done it IL they knew. they we're breaking
the law" y
Don't you believe that men who break
laws should be punished at all?" asked
Mr.. Stanley. &.
yes. i think they should, but 1 would
not be vindictive on men who did not
know.
Better Times Coming.
''Out of all this trouble is going to
emerge a state of affairs far more salts
factory to all classes >of people. labor and
capital. than ever before. and a republic
is to lead in the reforms. Germany still
allows these things which We will pre-
Vent
"If fifteen years ago. asked Mr.. Beall.
the criminal feature of the Sherman
law had been more rfgfdly enforced, do
YOU believe the conditions In busint s.
that trouble US could have been AVOIDED
III YOU put II from the time Of the
establishment of the interstate commerce
commission I would say yes"
Don't you think 1t rather unusual tha
so many business men were ignorant OF
the laws?''
NO"
Night School for Millionaires.
Had more of them known about the
law some philanthropist might have es
tablished a night law school for million
aires" suggested Mr.. Beall
That's rather violent suggestion,
replied Mr.. Carnegie. They might have
suggested Sunday schools"
Mr.. Carnegie declared that he never
had any idea the American people would
permit the organization of such trusts al
nave grown up I'm the country withou
government regulation. The witnes:
said he had no idea ihe Sherman law In
terfered with Whist his company was do
ing