Wichita eagle., 1889-03-13
THE COMBINE QUESTION.
The Convention Now in Session at st. Louis
Considering the Same.

Considering the Same
ST. LOUIS, No, March 12.-The rotunda
and lobby of the Southern hotel were
crowded this morning by delegates to the
legislative conference to consider the best
methods of combating the beef combine.
Nearly all the delegates to the conven-
ton have arrived accompanied by large
number of those interested in the work to
be done.
The discussion in the hotel lobbies
during the morning indicated that strong
effort will be made to check the growth OF
the dressed beef monopoly. The opinion
among the delegates is that little difficulty
will be experienced in securing the passage
of any law which receives the approval of
the present convention.
The convention was called to order at
1915 p. m. Temporary organization was
effected by the selection of Senator Glllett
as chairman, and Thomas f. Cook, of Ne
hraska, as secretary Committees on Gre
hentials, permanent organization, rules
and order of business were appointed and
the convention then took a recess.
At the afternoon session OF the inter
state convention to investigate the alleged
beef and pork combine Governor Francis
strongly urged the necessity OF legislation
to control and prevent the growth of trusts.
He WAS followed by Senator Gillett, of
Kansas, who pointed out how competitive
markets and legitimate business rivalry
had been destroyed by the drifting of pro-
ducts TO a common center and how cen
tralization of capital at such points
had placed 1t in the power of the
few to dictate to the many
the price of their labor and toll. He took
for illustration the cattle industry of the
nd a
five years unless the price of cattle had de-
rlined nearly 50 per cent. He charged this
result to the manipulatlonS OF the big
Four There was 30 over production.
Permanent organization was perfected
by selection of the following officers
Chairman, Frank E. Gillett. of Kansas;
vice-chairman, Samuel X. Frost, of Texas;
secretary. Thomas Cook, of Nebraska; as
sistant secretary, Charles 5. Martin, of
Kansas: ergeants-at-arms. Z. b. GILL, OF
Missouri, and W. T.. Foote, of Colorado.
The committee on credentials having re-
ported, standing committees were mp
pointed on resolutions and on recommen-
dations for needed legislation.
The following resolutions were intro
duced by Albert Head, of Iowa:
Whereas, 1t is commonly asserted and
very generally accepted as true, that GER
tain powerful trusts and combinations
of corporations and individuals have
united and combined for the purpose of
controlling the market price of cattle, pork
grain and other products of the country
and have entered into agreements and
combinations with railroad companies for
centralizng the above named products
in Chicago and other large western cities,
and
Whereas. All such combinations for
The purpose of centraliZing markets and
controlling or fixing prices of such pro-
q
nm injustice to the producer and consumer
which should be prohibited by law; and
Whereas, State laws are inadequate to
wholly remedy the evil complained of, and
believing that national legislation is de-
manded to give complete protection to
producers and consumers, therefore be 1t
Resolved, That the congress of the Uni
ted States be respectfully requested to pass
"A law with adequate penalties toward vio-
lation. prohibiting any corporation, COM
pany or individual from entering into or
becoming party TO any pool, combination.
trust or confederation for the purpose of
regulating or controlling the price of beef,
pork. grain or other productions of the
country.
Resolved, That the interstate commerce
law for control of railroad companies be so
amended that il Will work in harmony
with law as above requested.
Representative Miller. of Illinois. moved
that the rules be suspended and the reso-
buttons passed without reference to the
appropriate committee.
This opened a lengthy discussion. which
was participated in by Renfro, of Texas.
McGinnis OF Missouri, Poole of Colorado
and others. The evident purpose OF the
Illinois delegation was TO send the ques-
ton beyond the reach Of the state legis-
latures by the adoption OF the resolutions
without reference.
The resolutions xCpra arcrr,sJ Jo;
merits against the eXpostulations of the
most experienced paUliamentarians in the
room, but were finally sent TO the reSolu-
tons committee on yea and nay vote,
Illinois only recording her eight votes in
favor of immediate consideration.
The Illinois delegation was not to lie
easily sat down upon, however, and i'm
mediately after the preceding resolution
was sent to the committee. Mr. Craft. of
Cook county, presented the following:
Resolved, That we have been sent here to
investigate as 10 the existence of a meat
combine or trust and its mode of opera
tion and its effect upon the price OF cattle.
for the purpose of basing upon the finding
such remedial legislation as may be neces-
sary that can lawfully be enacted by diff
ferent states.
The object of this resolution, as stated
by members of the committee on rules
was to switch the convention off into u
cohsiueAatlon Oh the question whether
such thing as a beef trust or
monopoly exists and so divert attention
from the pronounced purpose of the
gathering, namely, TO recommend needful
legislation against an evil. existence of
which had already been conceded.
But the convention was on the alert this
time and the resolution went TO the
proper committee without delay.
Resolutions were offered and referred
concerning a deep water port on the Gl1if