The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-02
THE CATTLE COMBINE.
Western Stockraisers Flayed BY
Chicago Packers.
HOUSE PASSES TRUST BILL.
Service Pension Bill Would Cost One
Hundred Millions Year.
HOUSE PASSES TRUST BILL.
Idaho Admissios Bill TO be Passed Be-
fore May 15-Tsri6 Dsbate Begins
Next Week-western Senators wil

WAsHIssrcs CRY, May 1.-The report
OF Vests committee accompanying the bills
handed to the Senate today. regarding the
sale and transportation OF meat products, is
very lengthy one. The committee says
that when the examination OF witnesses be-
gan in st. Louis it was evident that con-
Bicting influences were Ut work, especially
IN the International Cattle Ring Associa-
ton. and that industrious efforts were be-
ing made to p revent the inquiries of the
committee affecting injuriolsly the dressed
beef interest. At Chicago there was no di-
versIsy OF opinion among witnesses as to
the fact that the methods Of selling cattle
had been entirely revolutionized in the
past ten years. The revolution took the
form OF concentration of the market for
cattle at fewer points aud controlling the
market At Chicago.
This change. the committee says. is due
principally 70 the fact that . few enterpris-
Ing men At Chicago are able, through their
enormous capital, to centraiize and control
the business at that point. The dressed
beef and canning business is practically in
the hands OF four establishments IN Chi
caeo-Armour & Co., Swift & Co., Nelson,
Morris & Co., and Hammond 4 Co.
Whatever difference of opinion is ex-
pressed rs 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 four houses ii they choose to exer-
else it. As result of the influence OF these
houses the COMMITTEES noted Q reluctance
on the part of cattle raisers and commits
sion merchants to testify TO facts or
opinions which nigh; prejudice them in
future transactions.
The principal inquiry which the COM
mit;ee was directed 10 make was as to the
existence OF a combination by reason of
which the prices of beef and beef cattle had
been controlled and dimished TO the pro-
ducer without lessening the cost of meat to
the consumer. The facts developed, the
the committee thinks, prove overwhelm-
ingiy such a combination.
The committee quotes a statement from
Armour's testimony that cattle had in.
creased more rapidly than the population
In the last five years. from which he argued
that the low prices OF beef cattle were
partly due to overproduction. This argu-
ment. the committee ststes, = IA lawarranted
by the facts. and the COMMITTEES has no hes
itation in stating that there is a combine
ton at Chicago which controls the market
and fixes the prices of beef cattle in its own
interests and The railroad companies As
to remedies the committee SAYS: Con
gress, in the bill recently passed by the
Senate on the subject of trusts. has gone as
lar as its power extends. State legislation
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 saws that 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
the fact that so many cows and calves are
constantly thrown upon the market, indi-
eating that producers are panic-stricken
and anxious TO realize now without regard
TO the future. There were marketed at
Chicago during the past year sos, ,2S5
cattle, of which from IS to 80 per cent were
calves. Cattle raisers should be the most
ests, but If they will accept the situation
from the committee they viii cease mar
keting their breeding and immature stock
and diligently prepare for larger supply
and brighter future. IL is only a aues-
ton of time, and very brief time, when
the problem will be that OF supplying our
own people with beef without regard to the
foreign markets.
II is likely that the consideration of the
bill admitting Wyoming and Idaho into
the Union will be taken up again in a day
or two in the Senate, though there is q
strong desire or the part of some TO get the
silver discussion out OF the way first Sem
ator Platt, ca the committee on territories,
however, viii make an effort for the pro-
posed new states. IL is expected that the
Idaho bill will pass without amendment.
and in that case Delegate Dubois will be
legislated out OF office. The admission OF
Idaho presents different situation from
that of any state recently admitted, as
constitution has been adopted, so that the
territory becomes a state as soon as the bill
passes Provision Is made for the conun-
uance in Office OF the territorial officers
until an election can be held. Delegate
Dabois fears complications if an attempt Is
made TO add an amendment to the original
bid making him congressional representa-
tive. aud so while be favored an amend
ment that county officers should hold. he
moGestiy consented TO be iegislated out Of
Office. he said today that ne expected that
by the 18Th OF this month az the latest he
would be private citizen. The question
whether congress could not By resolution
continue him as the representative until an
election. is being discussed. IL Is conceded
that such sction would be very desirable
for the new state, as there are many mat
ters in the departments which would need
the attention of some enc authorized TO
act. 1t is expected that the Wyoming biii
will DC amended by clause relative 20 the
governments jurisdiction over the Ma
tional park
Representative Essrt OF North Carolina
yesterday introduced in the HoGse, By re-
quest congressional election n.ll. Ii pro-
visies that congressional elections shall ne
held in the manner provided in the body of
the blls, and upon direction OF the state
legislature. presidential electors may be
chosen al the same election District courts
are required TO appoint registrars OF eiec-
ilon ia each district. each ballet 10 be eB-
closed Ia an envelope marked with the
number on the poti list ard be delivered 70
one Of the pol holders. who shall deposi; it
IN the box At the conclusion OF the eIec-
ton the roll list shall he delivered 10 the
eserk Of the district court and the ballots
sr,f the al exxsx