Wichita eagle., 1889-03-14
THE SESSION ENDED.
The Beef Combine Convention Finishes
It's Work.

ST. LOUIS, March 13.-The beef trust
convention reassemb bled this morning and
practically completed their preliminary
work.
A considerable number of resolutions
bearing on trusts, local inspection and
other matters connected with the work OF
the convention were introduced and re-
ferred to the committee on resolutions,
and what is known as the trust bill now
before the Texas legislature and copies OF
the inspection bill pending in the leglSla-
lures of Missouri, Kansas, Indiana and
other states were submitted and referred
TO the committee on needed legislation.
The convention then adjourned until
o. M. to give the latter committee time to
draft a bill which shall represent the sense
of the convention on the whole SUBJECT
md serve as a uniform measure TO be
adopted by all the states.
At the afternoon session of the legisla-
tive convention to investigate the alleged
beef and pork combine, the committee on
resolutions submitted its report recon-
mending that all resolutions referred to 1t
Yesterday be laid on the table, which was
done The committee also begged leave TO
suggest that as this conference was called
In reference to the beef and pork combine
or truts as designated in the Kansas reso-
III. Il
vention to consider and in the opinion of
the committee the only effective way to
reach it is by legislation, if the same can
be done without encroaching upon the or
ganic laws of our land.
Senator McGinnis, of Missouri, asked
for a second reading of the report, and the
chairman explained that the committee
would swamp the convention with irrele-
want resolutions were IL to refer them
back to the convention. The report of the
committee was then adopted without fur
ther discussion.
The committee on needed legislation
presented as a desirable measure bill
submitted by the Texas delegation. This
bill deals with the definition of trusts"
md penalties to be inflicted for violations
of the act The bill has passed
the Texas house by vote of sc
to nothing, and will probably become
a law. The section defining trusts is as
follows: ITO make or enter into or carry
out any contract or agreement of any kind
or description by which they shall bind or
have bound themselves not to sell, dispose
of nor transport any article or commodity
of trade, use, merchandise, commerce or
consumption below a common standard
figure or by which they shall agree in any
manner to establish or settle the price of
any article or commodity in transportation
between themselves or Others to preclude
free and unrestricted competition among
themselves or others, or by which they
shall agree to pool, combine or unite any
interest they may have in connection with
sales or transportation of any such article
or commodity that its price might In any
manner be affected"
The clause concerning lntiictlon OF pun
ishment provides that any corporation
violating any of the provisions of this act
shall forfeit its charter and franchises and
its corporate existence shall cease. Any for
shall be denied the right to do business
in the state. Any violation is also declar-
ed a conspiracy against trade and upon
conviction carries fine and imprisonment,
the maximum being s., 900 and ten years
Chairman Moses of the Texas delega-
tion, moved the adoption of the bill as a
whole and its recommendation by dele
gates present to their various legislatures.
Senator Head, of Iowa, favored careful
consideration of the measure. He queS-
toned the legality of some Of the sections.
Senator Renfro of Texas, assured Mr..
Head there was no room for any such fear.
After few slight changes the bill was
adopted by the following vote: Yeas
Colorado 9, Illinois s. Indiana :, Kansas s,
Minnesota s. Missouri 2-5, Nebraska 4,
Texas S. Nays-Missouri So, Nebraska t.
The various delegations were pledged TO
recommend the bill TO their legislatures.
The adoption of the Texas bill was highly
satisfactory to the gentlemen from that
slate but 1t alsoappeared 10 greatly please
the Big Four lobby and its utility Is ques-
toned on that account.
The second bill introduced by the COM
mittee on needed legislation, practically
the Nebraska bill for inspection of cattle
on hoof, seemed to ill the lobby with ex-
element which communicated to the
floor of the convention and warm debate
ensued, resulting in an adlourdment to 5
u. III. in order that bin No. ,. might be
printed.
The Texas men claim that the adoption
OF the preamble to the bill would be fatal
mistake as, If this convention should an
nounce to the world the necessity of legis-
lating to protect home consumers against
the sale of diseased meat, it would result
in shutting American meats cut of all for
eign markets, and be a severe blow 10 pro-
ducerS..
THE NEBRASKA INSPECTION BILL.
The second bill introduced by the COM
mittee on needed legislation was prac-
tically the Nebraska bill providing for the
appointment of local inspectors and the in
spection of all cattle, sheep or swine.
twenty-four hours before slaughtering
Penalties are prescribed for evasions of
inspection or sale of meat taken from aui-
mails not inspected. 1t does not apply TO
canned, smoked, cured or salt meats
Whereas, In order to preserve the health
of the people II is important that they
should be provided with wholesome food,
and lnasmuch as unsound meat is most
liable to be put upon the market al points
where large quantities are offered for sale
therefore.
Be it enacted by the legislature of the
state Of:
Section l. Sale of fresh beef. mutton.
lambs or pork in this state, except as
hereinafter provided, is hereby prohibited