Speech #610148098

I had a conversation with the AttorneyGeneral after the resolution was introduced. and he satisfied me that its adoption would interfere with the work of prosecuting svccessfully those who had been indicted and those whom the administration was seeking to indict. The resolution called for a searching and sweeping investigation. as will be seen by its provisions. I will read it: Whereas it is charged by men In positions to have information on the matters they allege that the American Sugar Refining Company has been. and is. guilty of being a trust. or monopoly In restraint of trade . of violating the Sherman antitrust law. of controlling the prices of refined and raw sugar. of conspiring to ruin. and ruining its competitors. the Independent refiners of sugar. of blacklisting grocers and merchants who use the product of independent sugar refineries . of taking rebates In violation of the Interstatecommerce law. of using shortweight scales in the customhouses of the United States. of bribing officials and employees in the customs service of the United States. of swindling and defrauding the United States by violating its tariff laws. of importing cheap contract labor in violation of the immigration laws of the United States. of procuring the violation of the civilservice laws and regulations of the United States by influencing appointments and removals in the customs service of the United States: Now. therefore. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That a select committee of five Members of the House and three Members of the Senate be appointed by the Speaker of the House and by the VicePresident of the United States to investigate and Inquire generally into the conditions of the customs service of the United States. and to investigate and inquire Into the said alleged facts. and to obtain all possible information concerning the same as to the American Sugar Refining Company. and to inquire Into the organization of the said American Sugar Refining Company and its relations to. and influence and effect on. the sugar industry of the United States. in so far as the said American Su2ar Refining Company. by any combination or conspiracy. may contzol. regulate. monopolize. or restrain interstate or foreign commerce and trade In the refning and sale of sugar and in the control of the price of refined or unrefined sugar. of its alleged violation of the Sherman antitrust law. of its alleged conspiring to ruin Its competitors. of its alleged blacklisting of grocers or merchants who handle the product of other sugar refineries. of its alleged violation of the interstatecommerce law. of its alleged use of shortweight scales In the customhouses. of Its alleged bribery of officials and employees of the customs service of the United States . of its alleged influence over appointments and removals of officials and employees in the customs serviceof the United States. of its alleged swindling and defrauding the United States by violating in any manner the tariff laws. of its alleged violation of the immigration laws by importing cheap contract labor. Said committee or any subcommittee thereof shall be. and Is. authorized to sit in Washington or elsewhere during the sessions of the House or Senate or during the recess of Congress. and shall be. and is. empowered to subpoena and examine witnesses under oath or affirmation. and to send for persons. books. papers. records. and other evidence that may be necessary to make the investigation and inquiry herein directed to be made full and complete. and the Speaker and the VicePresident shall have authority to sign. and the Clerk of either House to attest. subpenas during the recess of Congress. All necessary expenses of such committee In making the investigations herein directed shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House and Senate.