The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-05-02
MEAT PRODUCTS.
Vests Committee Ascertains That n Con
bine Exists mt Chicago.


bine Exists at Chicago.
wAsHISGToS, May 1.-The report of
Vests committee accompanying the bills
handed To the senate to-day regarding the
transportation aud sale of meat products
Is n very lengthy one. The committee
says when the examination of witnesses
began I'm ST. Louis IL was evident that
conflicting influences were at work, es-
pecially in the International Cattle Range
association, and that industrious efforts
were being made In prevent the inquiries
OF the committee affecting the injuriously
dressed beef interest of Chicago. There
was ho diversity Of opinion among the
witnesses as to prices and as To the fact
that the methods of selling beef cattle
were entirely revolutionized in the past 10
years. The revolution took the form
of concentration OF market for
cattle Mt a few points with
controlling market at Chicago.
This change. the committee says, Is due
principally TO the fact that a few enter
prising men Mt Chicago are able through
their enormous capital TO centralize and
control the business at that point. The
dressed beef and canning business is prac-
tically in the hands of four establishments
in Chicago-Armour a. Co., Swift x Co..
Co. Whatever difference of opirion is
expressed rs to the existence of combi-
nation between these firms not to bid
against each other i'm the purchase or cat
tie, there was no hesitation on the part of
witnesses, even when obviously prcju,liccd
in favor of the packers, in stating That the
central market was absolutely in the grasp
Of these four houses il they choose to exer-
else IL. As the result Of the influence Of
these houses the committee noticed a reliic-
tance OH the part of cattle raiscrs and
commission men TO testify to facts or
opinions which might prejudice them in
future transactions. The principal inquiry
which the committee was directed To
make was as tn the existence of COM
bination by reason OF which the prices Of
beef and beef cattle had been so con-
trolled and affected as to diminish the
prices paid the producer without lcsscn-
ing the cost of meat TO consumers. The
facts developed, the committee thinks.
proves overwhelmingly such combination.
The committee quotes n statement from
Armour's testimony that cattle increased
more rapidly than the population i'm the
last years, from which he argued that
the low prices Of beef cattle was partly
due to production. This argument, the
committee states, is not warranted 10y
facts and the committee has no hesitation
in stating that combination exists nj
Chicago which controls the market and
fixes the price of beef cattle iu it's own In.
tercsts. As To remedies, the committee says
congress In bill recently passed blythe SEN
ate on the subject OF trusts, has gone
as far as its power extends. State Iegis-
latioD must supplement that by congress
To punish combines operating within state
lines, and active, intelligent officials must
be found to enforce the laws enacted. In
conclusion, the committee says IL the cattle
raisers of the United States are only true
To themselves, the immediate future
promises deliverance from present evils.
The worst feature of the cattle trade is