Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1913 — POSTOFFICE LOOKS INTO HARVESTER CO. [ARTICLE]

POSTOFFICE LOOKS INTO HARVESTER CO.

Allegations Against Independent Company Cause of Investigation " by Department \ ' V 'Viff'g The Independent Harvester company, Plano, 111, a $10,000,000 corporation, is being investigated' by the postofflee department. The company’s stock is owned largely by farmers throughout the United states. Complaints made by stockholders are alleged to have caused the government to put postofflee inspectors to work. Stock of the company, amounting to, from $6,000,000 to $7,000,000 has been sold-in various quantities to farmers throughbut the country, it is said. A statement has been made by eamplainants that the plant and actual assets of the harvester company are not worth $1,000,000 and the'lnquiry was begun to ascertain whether or not the sale of stock by use of the mails is a violation of the federal law prohibiting the use of the mails to defraud. Officers, of the company have expressed their willingness to be investigated. William C. Thdmpsoh, president, has been before postal inspectors several times recently with books of the qompany, which are now being audited by a special bank accountant employed by the government from, Washington.