The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-03
SALE OF MEAT PRODUCTS
Report to the Senate of Vests Spe.
cial Committee to Investigate
the Business.
A Practical Monopoly of the Price
of Live Cattle in
Chicago.
Tho Senate Antitrust Bill Step in the
Right observation-disclosures Prophecy
for the Future.

WASHINGTON, May 2.-The report OF
Vests committee accompanying the bills
handed to the senate by him regarding the
transportation and sale of meat products il
a very lengthy one. The committee says
that when the examination of witnesses be-
gan in St. Louis it was evident that con-
dicting influences were at work, especially
in the International Cattle Range associa
ton and that industrious efforts were bein;
made to prevent the inquiries of the com
mittee from affecting injuriously the dressed
beef interests of Chicago. There was NJ
diversity of opinions among the witnesses
as to prices and as to the fact that thu
methods of selling beef cattle had been en-
tirely revolutionized within the past ter
years. The revolution took the form Of
concentration of the market for cattle at q
few points, with the controlling market at
Chicago. The change, the committee says,
is due principally to the fact that few en-
through their enormous capital. to central
ize and control business at that point. The
dressed beef and canning business is prac-
tically in the hands of four establishments
at Chicago, Armour g. Co., Swift d Co.,
Nelspn Morris & Co. and Hammond d Co.
"uhU0Ncl u4uCACAS0 VI OPA4A1OA 10 "a
pressed as to the existence of combina-
ton between these firms not to bid against
each other in the purchase of cattle, there
was no hesitation ON the part Of witnesses
even when obviously prejudiced in favor of
the packers in stating that the control OF
the market was absolutely in the grasp OF
these fo1 houses, if they chose to exercise
houses the committee noticed a reluctance
on the part of cattle raisers and commits
sion 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 az
son of which the prices of beef and beef
cattle have been controlled and diminished
prices paid the producer without lessening
the cost of meat to consumers. The facts
developed, the committee thinks, prove
overwhelmingly such combination.
The committee quotes statement from
Armour's testimony that cattle increased
the last i've years, from which he argued
that the low prices of beef cattle were
partly due to over-production. This argu-
ment, the committee states, is not war
ranted by the facts, and the committee has
no hesitation in stating that the combina-
fixes the prices of beef cattle in its own
interests and the railroad companies. Al
to remedies, the committee says congress-
in the bill recently passed by the senate
ON the subject of trusts, has gone as far al
its power extends. State legislation must
supplement that by congress to punisl
combines operating within state lines, anC
active, intelligent officials must be founi
to enforce the laws enacted.
In conclusion the committee says If tn
cattle raisers of the United States are onl,
true to themselves the immediate futur
promises delive-ance from present evils
The worst feature of the cattle trade is the
fact that so many COWS and calves are be
ing thrown upon the market, the indica-
tions being that producers are panic
stricken and anxious to realize now, with.
out regard to the future. There were
marketed at Chicago during the past yea,
3,O23.285 cattle, of which from % to 30 per
cent were COWS and per cent were calves.
Cattle raisers should be the most competent
judges as to their own interests, but if they
will accept suggestion from the commit
tee they will cease marketing their breeding
and immature stock and diligently prepare
for larger supply and brighter future. 1t
is only question of time, and very brief
time, when the problem will be that of sup
plying our own people with beef without
regard to foreign markets.