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 NIES AND CORPORATIONS ARE ENGAGED IN THE IMPORTATION OF SISAL AND MANILA HEMP, ETC. IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. 1 INDEX IN VOL. 2 Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1916 SUBCOMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPORTATION OF SISAL AND MANILA HEMP AND THE PRODUCTION OF BINDING TWINE. SENATOR GRONNA. SENATOR RANSDELL, Chairman. SENATOR WADSWORTH. D. of D. CONTENTS. Dr. Victor A. Rendon, of the Comision Reguladora Del Mercado De Henequen, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico__-- Mr. John T. Meehan, Private Secretary to Dr. Rendon. Mr. Edward B. Bayley, of Henry W. Peabody & Co., Boston, Mass.-. 269. Mr. Lynn H. Dinkins, President Interstate Trust & Banking Co., New Señor Fernando Solis Camara, of Yucatan, Mexico.. Mr. Henry Town, Warden of the Wisconsin State Penitentiary, Wau- Mr. Charles A. Lukens, Editor Farm Implement News, Chicago, Ill.... Mr. E. J. Baker, Secretary-Treasurer Farm Implement News Co---- IMPORTATION OF SISAL AND MANILA HEMP. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1916. UNITED STATES SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, Washington, D. C. The subcommittee met in the committee room, Capitol, at 10.30 o'clock a. m., pursuant to the call of the chairman. Senator Joseph E. Ransdell presiding. Present: Senators Ransdell (chairman), Gronna, and Wadsworth. Also present: Hon. Walter L. Fisher and Mr. Philip Wells, representing the International Harvester Co.; Mr. A. P. Loring, president Plymouth Cordage Co.; Dr. Victor A. Rendon and Mr. Walker Spencer, representing the Comision Reguladora del Mercado de Henequen; Mr. Sol Wexler, Mr. Lynn H. Dinkins, and Mr. Levy Mayer, representing the Pan-American Commission Corporation, of New York; and Mr. C. D. Orth, representing Hanson & Orth, of New York. The CHAIRMAN. The subcommittee has met pursuant to S. Res. 94, which is as follows: Whereas binding twine is one of the large items of expense in the production of grain; and Whereas it has been alleged in the public press and by individuals that the present price thereof is exorbitant and is fixed and controlled by certain persons and corporations: Therefore be it Resolved, That the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry of the Senate, or any subcommittee appointed by said committee, be, and is hereby, authorized and instructed to investigate and report to Congress what companies and corporations are engaged in the importation of said sisal and manila hemp and the production of binding twine and to what extent, if any, they control the price thereof, and whether there are any combinations or agreements to fix and control the wholesale or retain prices of sisal and manila binding twine in the United States. The committee is authorized to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, and send for persons and papers in the prosecution of the said investigation. The CHAIRMAN. Before proceeding, gentlemen, I wish to state that the committee has decided that they desire to obtain all the facts in this matter. They will conduct the examination themselves, but in order that either side may have an opportunity to cross-question, if it is so desired, if those who have questions to ask will jot them down. as the examination proceeds and submit the questions to the committee, they will propound them, if pertinent and proper, so there will be full opportunity given to have propounded to the witnesses any. searching questions that you desire to have asked. We will begin with Dr. Rendon. 5 |
