Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-04
SENATOR'S NONPLUSSED.
They Find Difficulty in the Dressed Beef
Investigation.

CHICAGO, Sept 4-Ths senatorial investiga-
ton into the dressed beef and transportation
industries arrived at a position this morning
when it became necessary to resort to vigorous
measures or acknowledge the whole affair to be
a stupendous farce.
G. F. Swift, the millionaire dressed beef
dealer, had been subpoened for the third time,
and it was reported that he had agreed to ap-
pear before the commission this morning. He
didn't come. The messenger who served the
summons was called.
what did Mr.. Swift say?" asked Senator
Farwell
HE said he would be here without fall"
"You are sure you saw him in person." asked
Senator Vest, who was evidently laboring under
suppressed indignation. The messenger ac-
curately described the delinquent packer.
'You saw Mr.. Armour"
81 did"
"And what did he say"
"He told me it would be extremely inconve-
nient for him to be here at this hour, but he
would send word as to when he would come"
And he has sent no wOrd?"
'No."
SENATOR COKE TOOK HUGE PIECE OF PLUG To-
BACCo
from his pocket and transferring the large half
to his mouth rolled it about refectively. 1t
began to look serious and the three Senators
leaned over the table in whispered consultation.
just then Secretary George I. Williams of the
Union stock yards and transit company entered
the room. He was ordered the other day to
again appear before the commission with
certain statistics of shipments and a list of
stockholders in his company.
At the request of Senator Vest, Mr.. Williams
took a seat In the witness chair. You have that
list?" asked Senator Farwell.
Mr.. Williams murmured, mo"
"Why notY' demanded Senator Vest, with
flashing eyes.
Il thought best to see counsel about the mat
ter and have been advised not to furnish the
list"
Then you decline ss secretary Of the COM
Il do ~ '''
THAT is all, SIR
Mr.. Williams was only too glad to get away
and again
THE SENATORS CONSULTED TOGETHER.
President John B. Sherman Of the Stock
Yards company was the next witness. He
strolled into the room and was sworn.
"Who are the principal purchasers Of cattle?"
he was asked.
Eastman Munroe-who buy for eastern
parties and dressed beef dealers like Armour,
Morris Swift and the Libbeys."
do you know who the stockholders are?"
'No; that is the secretary's business"
''What do you charge shippers for hay?'
ave charge 81 for prairie hay and $3.50 for
| tame hay. We also get rs cents for yardage.'
Can a shipper buy hay outsider"
mo; that is the only way we have to gain a
| revenue"
Mr.. sherman said that there had been 20 00C
| head of cattle in the yards at one time. The
| charge for yardage included considerable serv-
! ice, the stock yards company furnished the
tracks connecting with the railroads.
| THE AMOUNT OF STOCK.
Senator yest-"Your secretary said there was
| $780, 900 in stock Of the company. Is this
| true?"
II think that is the amount"
Now, what Is the market price of that
stock2"
.'Oh, il varies. Sometimes it is at par. ]
have known 1t to be as low as 80 or as high as
/ LIS"
1T is not quoted on the stock exchanged"
| Il think not"
"And there is little sold?'
"Very little, l believe"
| Senator Coke asked the witness il there were
any relations between the stock yard at Omaha
| and Kansas City and those at Chicago.
Mr.. Sherman said there were none whatever
| Then he was excused, and after vainly waiting
for some time for word from Mr.. Armour the
commission took a recess until 2 o'clock.
| Senator Farwell was asked what the commits
| sion proposed to do IN case Messrs. Armour
| Swift and Morris failed to make their appear
| ance.
I'VE have not considered such an emergency
as yet"
"will you take measures to force them te
come imp
Il cannot say. do not think it will be at al
necessary"