The trouble is not yet over for the trusts. You remember about the Investigating Committee appointed to look into the affairs of the different trusts. The members of this committee had a good deal of trouble with the Sugar Trust.
Seven of the most important persons connected with the trust refused to answer the questions asked them by the committee.
Among these men were such prominent persons as Henry O. Havemeyer and John E. Searles, men who are known as Sugar Kings.
The impossibility of getting any information from these witnesses made the work of the committee very difficult; and when the investigations were over, complaints were made against the men who had given the trouble.
One of them, Mr. E.E. Chapman, a stock-broker, was arrested by the United States Marshal, taken to Washington, and tried for contempt.
His offence was that of breaking the law which binds witnesses to give their testimony before Committees of Congress with the same care that they have to exercise before the judges in the courts of law. A witness in a law court who refuses to obey the court is guilty of contempt of court, and can be fined or imprisoned as the court pleases.
Mr. Chapman was found guilty of this misdemeanor, and sentenced to thirty days' imprisonment.
Having disposed of Mr. Chapman's case, the United States District Attorney has sent word that he intends to try the other six refractory witnesses on May 17th. From the printed accounts at the time of the investigation, they all seem to have given as much trouble as they possibly could, and as Mr. Chapman has been found guilty, the chances are that the others will be also, and that the jail of the District of Columbia may contain some distinguished millionaires before the month is out.
If we are to have Investigation Committees, it is just as well that people should learn they are not to be trifled with.