St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-07
ANOTHER PACKING COMBINE.

Inc sale OF the All ert0n packing
establishment at Chicago to representa-
tives of an English syndicate is noted as
simply an indication that there is plenty
of foreign capital that is seeking invest
ment in profitable business on this
side of the Atlantic. But it has larger
significance, and one that should be
thoroughly understood, not alone by
those engaged in packing. but by every
farmer who raises live stock for the
market.
About three years ago combine was
formed by British capitalists. assisted by
Americans. for the purpose of obtaining
control of the packing business in the
United States. Many millions OF money
were behind it, and the plan of organi-
cation and operations was similar to
that of the brewing trust. The COM
bine obtained control of about a dozen
of the smaller packing establishments,
and made flatteriDg offers for the larger
ones. But 1.-The big three" as Armour,
Morris and Swift are called. refused to
sell, and formed counter combination
against which the EngliShmen were
powerless to compete. While rivals OF
each other, 1.-The big three" were COM
mon foes Of the foreigners. They had
a combined capital equal to that of
their adversaries. and an experience in
the business extending over many
years, while their business connections
covered not only our own continent, but
all of Europe and many OF the countries
of Asia, The competition was so fierce
that the International Packing and Pro-
vision company, by which name the En-
gliSh syndicate was known, was obliged
to discontinue business. 1t retained
most of its holdings, however, with the
purpose, it now seems. of renewing the
attempt to gain control of the packing
business at some future time. In addi-
ton to the Allerton plant, which in
cludes large establishments at Chicago
aud East ST. Louis, it is practically in
control of the Cudahy concerns at Chi
cago, Milwaukee and Kansas City.
These developments indicate that
war is in prospect which will be of great
interest to the public at large. The big
three will never surrender to the Brit
ish. They are not made Of that kind of
stuff, and, holding the advantage as
they do, they can wage an effective
warfare, The combined business of
these three concerns is equal to half of
the trade in their Ii ne IN the world.
They Will be compelled, however, to
overbid their competitors in the market
for hogs and cattle, and to undersell them
in product. They are we'll equipped
for the task; for they have means IN
their own hands for the most economical
production of provisions, ard for utiliz-
ing all parts of the slaughtered animals.
They own their own rendering establish
ments. end produce glue and fertilizing
material from the refuse OF the slaughter
houses. They are also erecting extern
sive tanneries. at which all hides taken
may be tanned; and even the bristles
from the hogs are made into brushes at
factories owned or controlled by Them
These are advantages that the English
combine does not possess.
The war that is impending will be a
contest of giants. Although ali the
parties engaged in it are in a sense
monopolists, the public generally will
extend their sympathies and encourage
ment to the Americans. We have al
ready had too much of British domina-
ton in our domestic business. British
and Dutch capital controls many of our
| railroads, and these the most illiberaI.
| 1t controls many of our breweties, and
| in IFS establishments the most persistent
attempts have been made to reduce the
wages of workmeD. 1t controls large
number of our creamerieS. and is max
Ing an effort to control our bonanza
farms aud extensive stock ranges. 1t
controls many of our Touring mills, and
among them are establishments that
combine to decrease the price of wheat
and other farm products. We already
have too much of British domination,
and want no more. If Americans are
to be tlseced, they prefer that the fleec-
! ing shall be done by Americans. But