New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-27
GARY RAPS PUBLIC
QUIzzINC BOARDS
Suggests 1t Is Time In
vestigators Themselves
Were Investigated.
MOTIVES MAY NOT BE
ALWAYS THE BEST
Speaks to Pittsburgh University
Alumni After Getting Hon"
Orary Degree.

Pittsburgh. Feb. 26.-Declaring that
Investigators often are not only incom-
petent, but are preiudiced and as
result wilfully repress many pertinent
and material facts. +. II. Gary, chair
man Of the United States Steel Corpo-
ration, tonight spoke on "lndiserimi-
nate Criticism at the alumni dinner
of the University Of Pittsburgh. Ear
lier the university had conferred on
him the degree of Doctor of Science IN
connection with its 12Sth anniversary
exercises.
These criticisms" said Judge Gary,
sometimes take the form OF individual
work. Investigations by committees or
commissions created by the legisiat,
ures or congresses, or, IN exceptional
cases, even by judicial branches OF gov
eminent, such as grand Jurles, with
their inGuisitorial power. Ottentimes
the investigators are not only utterly
incompetent. but they are prejudiced
and wilfully repress many OF the peril
nent and material facts. They seek to
produce for circulation and criticism
only information calculated to bring
reproach upon the persons involved in
the inquiry.
Never has there been a time when
the country has suffered such abuse,
Islander and demagogy as in the last
decade. II man was wealthy the
whole nation wanted TO know the
amount of his riches? How did he
pet them? What is he doing with
them, and what are his objects in life ?
"Is the employer Of labor treating
his employees fairly and decently, or
does his financial success depend large
" upon inconsiderate treatment of his
men?
THE relief organizations and foun-
dations-where did they get their
money? What percentage are they dis
tributing TO the needy and to the Off
Gals, respectively? What is their real
purpose? Is il TO benefit mankind or
is il intended to use the power OF
money to corrupt the courts or legis-
latures or improperly to influence the
general public by vicious and I'M
justifiable propaganda ~
Mr.. Gary doubted whether the mo-
tives which controlled these criticisms
and Investigations were always in the
interest of the public and not from
personal or political ends.
whatever his profession or avoca-
ton, especially if he is successful or
for any reason becomes prominent"
said Judge Gary, "the individual may
be subjected to criticism, often unde-
served. A man sometimes feels that
he will be condemned if he does and
condemned if he does not. He may oc-
cupy a position between separate in
terests which conflict, and, with dis
position to act impartially, he is
blamed by both. If he is associated
with the management of corporate in
terests, the stakeholder not infrequent-
~ claims too little is paid to him and
too much TO the employe, and the lat
ter complains he is unfairly treated
in order 10 favor the former. And IN
many cases the same question arises
where the pecuniary interests OF the
holders of corporation securities are
not always the same as those of others
who may be affected by the decisions
and action Of the management. And
then, to make matters worse, govern
mental agencies sometimes interfere
with the claim that the corporation
has benefited one interest to the preJu-
dice of another"
But, Judge Gary declared, the days
wers coming when the investigators
would themselves be investigated.
circumstances seem TO show that we
are approaching the time when the in
vestigator will be investigated, whes
the crticiser will be criticised, when
committees and commissions will be
brought before other similar bodies for
Judgment. 1t would be interesting TO
tn public if it could be informed OF
the real motives which have prompted
some of the official inquiries, and If it
could learn Of the unfair methods
which have been sometimes pursued,
and if it should know the amount Of
governmental funds which have been
appropriated for the use of committees
AMI how they have been disbursed; in
fact, if some OF those participating
coIld be subjected to the same scrutiny
which they have exercised.
But there is an agreeable truth