The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-11-22
HUNTING foR A MONOPOLY.
The Special Senate Committee Investigating The
Beef kenopSy.


The Special Senate COMMITTEES Investigating The
Bssf Monopoly.
ST.. LOUIS. Mo-, Nov. 20.-The Vest
senate committee 10 investigate the al
legged dressed beef monopoly, held a
preliminary meeting this morning for
the purpose of agreeing on plan OF
procedure. All of the senators COM
posing the committee are now here,
namely: Vest, OF Missouri, chairman;
Henderson. of Nebraska; Plumb, of
Kansas; CHlioan, Of Illinois, and Coke,
of Texas AT 2 p. m. the COMMITTEES
announced itself in readiness to begin
work. Senator Vest explained in open
ing that the impression had been Great
ed that this committee had some con-
nection with the dressed beef con-
veRtion Of range associations and butch
erS. This was not the case, further
than it was thought good Opportun-
ity to secure the testimony OF num-
Der of delegates to that convention
and facilitate the work Of the commit
tee. The committee WAS not here TO
defend or attack any Interest. Sena-
tor Vest then read the resolution IN
der which the committee had been ap-
pointed in substance to make an lnveS-
beef cattle and whether any Comblna-
tieH existed on the part of the Trunk
line association Central Traffic ass0cia-
ton or other agencies OF transporta-
ton or among those engaged in buying
and shipping meat products whereby
the prices of cattle have been SO con
trolled rs to diminish the prices paid
producers without lesSening the cost
to consumers.
was u. H. Snyder, a ranchman resld-
| ing at GEORGETOWN, Williamson county
| Texas. Mr.. Snyder stated that he was
a buyer. seller, producer and raiser OF
beef cattle. He commenced business Ii
| Wyoming in 1866, and enlarged by eS-
| tabIishing ranches in Texas. Prices
| of cattle were low in 1865, but ad
Vanced UP to 1880, although he had
known of instances where cattle worth
fully $40 per head had been sold FOL
| $50. The prosperous cattle Duslness
went to pieces in 1885. Witnessed be
| lieVed this was over production OF bee1
animals. Prices were also affected By
the fact that ranges were pastured
| down until the grass was not sc
good and as result cattle were
| lighter and not so fat. WheI
witness first went to Texas all TIT
country northwest of Williamson
county was open. 1t is now settled
and yet has more cattle than when
| grazing country.
Senator Vest-What market do you
ship your cattle tor
| WitneSS-Chicago Is about the only
market we have got.
Senator Vest~-DO you know Of an!
combination of buyers at Chicago 10
the purpose of lowering the marketsr
I WitnesS-I have heard Of such con-
bination. but do not know OF 1t.
/ Senator Vest-What effect Woult
such a combination have on the catti
INTEREST,"
Witness-It would have wOndefu
power and could, l believe, contro
prices.
Senator Plumb-ls the market en-
tirely affected by supply?
Witness-That is my opinion, no
the total supply of the country, but TIL
arrivals at Chicago. Witness gave a
the territory tributary to Chicago from
the gulf to British possessions ant
from the Atlantic to the Paclfi
coast. He afterward modified
this sweeping statement b.
tapping off the east which turned
to New York for a market.
Senator Phmb-"Is the New Yorl
market controlled by Chicago?
Witness-''I cannot say Ks to that.
MIR. Snyder then stated that kHnsa
that bought Texas and Wyoming cattle
A great many cattle were sold III 81
Louis. while a great many Wer
bought here and for lack OF marke
taken on to Chicago. He did no
know that Chicago controlled the 81
Louis market.
Senator Plumb-Do you know OF an
combination in ChicagoI
WitnesS-There may be- but L d
not know of any through persona
knowledge.
Senator Cullom-Have you ever see
any evidence OF combination or collu
sion in Chicago by which you hav
been compelled to take Chicago prices
WitnesS-No.
Senator Plumb-Then you have n
reason to believe there is a combine?
| WitneSS-No.
Senator Plumb-Do you know OF an.
discrimination by railroads?
Witness do not.
Senator Vest-You have heard of til
"big four combination at Chicago
Armour, Swift Bros, Nels Morris ant
Hammond. Don't you know they con
troll the market2
Witness-T think they buy the bull
of the cattle, yes.
After stating that the meat cannini
Industries was growing wonderful.
and answering some general quee
tionS propounded by Senator Mander
son the witness was excused.
The committee then adjourned Z
meet tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock
Cold Weather In Canada.