The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-14
ST, LOUIS.
Meeting of the Convention to In
quir3 Into the Beef and
Pork Combine.
Ringing Resolutions, But the
Opinion Prevails Little If Any
thing Will be Done.

ST.. LOUIS, March 1.-THE rotunda and
lobby Of the Southern hotel were crowded
this morning by delegates to the legis-
lative conference to consider the best
method of combating the beef combine.
Nearly all delegates to the convention
have arrived accompanied by a large num-
Der of those interested in the work to be
done. The discussion in hotel lobbles
during the morning indicated that
strong effort will be made to
check the growth of the beef monopoly.
The opinion among the delegates is that
little difficulty will be experienced in Sc
curing the passage OF any law which re-
ceives the approval of the present conven-
ton.
The convention was called to order at
1915 O'Clock p. m. Temporary organi-
cation was effected by the election of Sen
ator E. E. Gillette, of Kansas City, chair
man, and Thomas E. Cook, of Nebraska,
secretary. Committees on credentials,
permanent organization, rules and order
! of business were appointed, and the con-
| ventiou took a recess.
Francis strongly argued the necessity OF
| legislation to control and prevent the
growth of trusts.
He was followed by Senator Gillette,
of Kansas, who pointed out how competi
tive markets and legitimate business RI
valry had been destroyed by the drifting
of products to a common center and how
Capitalization of capital at such points
had placed it in the power of the few to
dictate to the many the price of their
labor. He took for illustration the
cattle industry of the country and said
that within the space Of five years or less
the price of cattle had declined nearly 5
per cent. He charged this result to the
manipulations of the Big Four. There
was no production.
Permanent organization was perfected
by the selection of the following officers
Chairman-Frank E. Gillette,of Kan
sas.
Vice. Chairman-Samuel R. Frost, Of
Texas.
Secretary-Thomas Cook, of Nebraska
The committee on credentials having
reported, standing committees were ap
pointed on resolutions and recommends
tions for needed legislation.
The following resolutions were intro
duced by Mr.. Albert Head, of Iowa:
Resolved, That the congress of tn,
United States be respectfully requested tt
pass law, with adequate penalties fol
violation, prohibiting any corporation
company or individual from entering
into or becoming party to any pool
combination, trust or confederation, TO
the purpose of regulating, fixing or con
trolling the price of the beef, pork, grain
or other productions of the country.
Resolved second, That the interstate
commerce law for the control of railroad
companies be so amended that it will
work in harmony with law as above re
quested.
Resolutions were offered and referred
favoring permanent deep water por
on the Gulf of Mexico between the mouth
of the Mississippi and Rio Grande rivers
and that this convention memorialize con
gress to make such an amendment to tn
Interstate commerce law as shall punisl
with the utmost rigor of the law all inter
ference or discrimination by railroads il
transportation of beef or pork in any o
its forms.
After receiving the report of the com
mittee on rules, the convention adjourne'
to 8 O'Clock tomorrow morning.
1t was rumored tonight that the legis
lative committee reached the conclusion
that it did not koow what the convention
wanted; whether information as to tn
existence of beef and pork trust or leg
islation to check the growth of dressed bee
trusts, the existence of which delegate
were already aware. 1t is also claime'
; that dilatory tactics will be resorted t.
and that little, if anything, will be accom-
plished tomorrow.