to do something occasionally to square ourselves with him. [Laughter.]

Senator GRONNA. May I ask you what your position is with reference to the manufacture of twine by the State prisons?

Mr. BAKER. I have left that matter entirely to Mr. Lukens. I have never thought of interfering in that.

(Thereupon, at 2.05 o'clock p. m., the subcommittee adjourned to meet Tuesday, February 29, 1916, at 10 o'clock a. m.)

HEARINGS

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY UNITED STATES SENATE

SIXTY-FOURTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

S. RES. 94

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND INSTRUCTING THE COM

MITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY OF THE

SENATE TO INVESTIGATE WHAT COMPANIES

AND CORPORATIONS ARE ENGAGED IN

THE IMPORTATION OF SISAL AND
MANILA HEMP, ETC.

PART 3

Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY.

THOMAS P. GORE, Oklahoma, Chairman.

J. ROY THOMPSON, Clerk.

SUBCOMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPORTATION OF SISAL AND MANILA HEMP AND THE PRODUCTION OF BINDING TWINE.

SENATOR RANSDELL, Chairman.

IMPORTATION OF SISAL AND MANILA HEMP.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 1916.

UNITED STATES SENATE,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY,

Washington, D. C. The subcommittee met at 10.05 o'clock a. m., pursuant to adjournment.

Present: Senator Ransdell (chairman), Senator Gronna, and Senator Wadsworth.

Mr. SPENCER. Mr. Chairman, in connection with the statement of Mr. Lukens, who appeared before the committee on Saturday, I would like to read into the record a short statement printed in the last issue of his paper, just as showing its attitude. This is an editorial from the Farm Implement News of the issue of February 24,

1916:

CONCERNING PRICES.

From the standpoint of the farmer, the advance in the prices of agricultural implements is of little consequence. Had it come at a time when prices of farm products were low and agricultural prosperity absent, the result would have been quite different. But with farmers getting about $1.15 for wheat, 70 cents for corn, 40 cents for oats, more than 7 cents for hogs, and prices correspondingly high for other products, the advances which increasing cost have made necessary in the implement trade will be nothing approaching a hardship. The primary cause of the advance is the same in both cases. The great war has given the farmer extraordinary prices for his products and now it will require him to pay an advance on farm operating equipment.

Mr. Mayer suggests that I read also an advertisement printed on page 22 of the same number. [Reading:]

To implement dealers:

Two weeks ago I urged you to ask farmers to write to their congressional representatives demanding passage of resolutions calling for an investigation of the sisal fiber monopoly.

The next day the Senate ordered an investigation of binder-twine prices, and the investigating committee, which is now holding hearings in Washington, is receiving testimony relating to every phase of the subject, including the monopoly of sisal and the exorbitant prices charged by the Sisal Trust.

The important thing now to be done is to have farmers write to members of the investigating committee telling them what the effect of the trust's operations will be on the cost of harvesting grain and how the trust is in a position and has already begun to exact an enormous tribute from grain growers. It will be well also for you to write to members of the committee. The committee is composed of Senator Jos. E. Ransdell, of Louisiana, chairman; Senator A. J. Gronna, of North Dakota, and Senator J. W. Wadsworth, of New York. Mail or telegrams addressed to them in care of the United States Senate will reach them.

No matter what you have done before in the fight against the greedy Sisal Trust, write to some member of the committee and urge representative farmers of your section to do the same. Western and northwestern dealers and farmers should write to Senator Gronna, eastern to Senator Wadsworth, and southern to Senator Ransdell,

The Sisal Trust is endeavoring with the aid of crafty lawyers to show that the fight is in the interests of the big twine producers and that the farmer will not be affected by its control of the sisal supply.

You who know that the ultimate consumer must pay all of the advances in the price of the fiber should, in the interests of your customers, do what you can to offset the impression that may be received from the trust's representations.

C. A. LUKENS, Editor Farm Implement News.

Mr. FISHER. You did not prepare that for him, did you, Mr. Spencer?

Mr. SPENCER. If I had I could not have prepared it any better for the purpose of proving what I started out to prove. [Laughter.] The CHAIRMAN. Senator Gronna has something which he wishes to submit for the record.

Senator GRONNA. Mr. Chairman, I have received a telegram which I believe I will ask to have incorporated in the record. This telegram is from one of the pioneers in our State. He is a very able and influential man. He is not a farmer. He is an implement dealer and merchant, and he is a member of the State senate. I will read the telegram, as it is very brief [reading]:

Hon. A. J. GRONNA,

Washington, D. C.:

HILLSBORO, N. DAK., February 28, 1916.

Farmers here are much interested in Sisal Trust investigation. The present rise in fiber incurs a loss to the farmers of this State alone of over $700,000.

JOHN E. PAULSON.

The CHAIRMAN. You could not tell us how he estimates that $700,000 loss?

Senator GRONNA. We have under cultivation 16,000,000 acres of land. Of course, that includes everything.

The CHAIRMAN. Corn and everything else as well as the small grains?

Senator GRONNA. Yes. Of course, that would be 32,000,000 pounds, figuring 2 pounds to the acre.

Mr. FISHER. That would be the average?

Senator GRONNA. That would be the average; yes. I do not know how he estimates it.

Mr. FISHER. He probably took the difference in price between this year and last year, and the quantity of grain, and estimated it on that basis.

STATEMENT OF MR. DOMINGO F. EVIA, PLANTER, MERIDA, YUCATAN, MEXICO.

Mr. SPENCER. Mr. Evia, please state your full name.

Mr. EVIA. Domingo F. Evia.

Mr. SPENCER. Where is your home?

Mr. EVIA. My home is in Merida, Mexico.

Mr. SPENCER. Are you interested or engaged in the growing and production of sisal?

Mr. EVIA. Yes, sir; I am a farmer myself.

Mr. SPENCER. How long have you been so engaged?

Mr. EVIA. Why, about 12 years.

Mr. SPENCER. Was your father engaged in that same business?