The Farmer And Mechanic

SHOULD BE EXAMINED.

The Baltimore Sun calls upon the Senate Judiciary Committee not to end the hearing of the inquiry as to why the Steel trust was permitted in defiance of a plain statute to swallow its biggest competitor without examining Frick and Gary. That is wise counsel. The Sun goes on to say:

"Why should any senator object to examining Messrs. Frick and Gary before the committee? It is suggested that these gentlemen are given to understand that the government would not interfere with the absorption of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company by the United States Steel Corporation.' The inference is that they ought not to be annoyed now by an inquiry into the part they played in a transaction approved by the President. This explanation will not satisfy the public, howsoever convincing it may appear to be to the Republican senators who are anxious to close the investigation. There is a question of vital importance to the country which ought not to be left unsettled by the abandonment of the inquiry. Senators ought not to be more considerate of the feelings of Messrs. Frick and Gary than they are of the welfare of the country. The Democratic members of the committee should insist that a vote be taken in committee on the proposition to hear the testimony of the Steel Corporation officials to whom Mr. Roosevelt promised immunity from prosecution. The Republicans are doubtless afraid that a full investigation might injure their party and furnish the Democrats with political capital for future campaigns. But they have no right to be influenced by such considerations."