Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1890-05-06
THE BIG FOUR.
Testimony Taken BY the Senate
Committee Tends to Prove
Ii cir Control Of the
Beef Market.
Senator Powers First Bill Pro.
vides for a Large Amount of
Surveys in Montana.
AN INSIDE VIEW.
Report Of the Vest Committee ON the Beef
Combine.


Report Of the Vest Committee ON the Beef
Combine.
WASHINGTON. May 3.-Ths report
Of Vests committee accompanying the
bills handed to the senate to-day re
gardiDg the transportation aud sale Of
meat proouct-, II u very lengthy one.
The committee says that when the TX.
animation of witnesses began in 81.
Louis IL was evident conflicting iDflu-
ences were st work, especially in the
International Cattle Range associa-
tim, and that industrious efforts were
being made to prevent inquiries Of the
committee effectiDg injuriously the
dressed beef interest Gt Chicago.
There was no diversity of opinion
among witnesses as to prices aud as 10
the fact that the methods If selling
beef cattle had been entirely revolu-
tioniz.d during the rat ten years
The revolution took the torn Of con
ceGtration Of the market for cattle at a
few points with the controlling market
at Chicago. This change, the commit.
tee said, is due principally 10 the fact
that few ent.rprising men ut Chi
cago ale able, through their enormous
capital, to ceD.ialze and control the
business at that point. The dressed
beef snd csnning business Is tracii-
cally in the bands OF four es'abli.h-
mems at Chicago, Armour 4 Co.,
Swift & CO.. Feleop, Morris 4 Co. and
Hammond & Co. Whatever difference
Of opinion il expressed as to the ex-
isteDce of combination 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
fasor VI the packers In stating that the
central market WIS absolutely in the
grasp of these four houses II they
chose To exercise II. Az o result of the
influence of ih' sc houses the commit
tee notice reluctance on the part of
cattle raisprs and commission men to
testify 10 facts or opinions which
might prejudice them In futuoe trans-
actions. The principal inquiry which
the committee was directed 10 maze
was as to the existence of u combina-
iion by reason Of which the prices Of
beef cSttle have been controlled and
diminished prices paid the producer
without lessening the cost Of meat TO
consumers. The facts developed, the
committee think, prove overwbelm-
Ipgly such a combination, The com
mit'ee quotes a statement from Ar.
mour's testimony that cattle had in
creased more rapidly than the pnpula.
tion during the lsst five yesrs, from
which he argued the low prices Of beef
cattle were partly due 10 over-produc.
tion. This argument the committee
states is not warranted by the facts
and the committee has no hesitation
in stating that the combination at
Chicago controls the market and fixes
the prices of beef cattle in Its own in
ieresis and that of railroad companies.
As to rent dies, the committee says
congress In bill recently passed by
the senate on the subject OF trusts
has gone ss far as Its power extends.
State Legislation must supplement that
by congress 70 punish the combines
operating within stste lines and active,
Intelligent officials must he found 10
enforce the laws enacted. In conclu-
sion the committee says II the cattle
raisers Of the Union Pacific are only
true to themselves, the imUediate
future promises deliverance from
present evils. The worst feature Of
the cattle trade 10 the fact that 30
many cows and calves are being
thrown upon the market, the indica-
tion being that producers are panic
stricken and anxious 10 realize nov
without regard to the future. There
were marketed at Chicago during the
past year S,02S, ,2S5 cattle, Of which
from Is TO 80 per cent were cows, and 4
per cent were calves. Cattle raisers
should be the most competent judges
% to their own intsrssts, but II they
will acospt . suggestion nom the
committee they will cease marketing
their breeding and immature stock
and diligently prepare for . larger
supply and brighter future. Il only
aquestion Of time, and very brief time.
when the problem will bs that Of sup
plying our own people With beef with.
out regard 10 foreign markets.