Evening star., 1895-04-26
Chicago Beef Packers Will Issue a
Statement.
EXISTENCE OF A COMBINE DENIED
High Prices Due. They Claim, to
Natural Causes.
WHAT DIR. SALMON SAYS

CHICAGO, April 26--Chicago packers
will make a statement in relation to the
charges that the present condition of the
beef market is due 10 the existence of a
combine. E. j. Martyr. Confidential mana
ger of Armour & Co, who has the whole
subject in charge for that firm, said The
statement would probably not be made un-
til Secretary of Agriculture Morton had
announced the results of the invastiga-
tions now being made by his inspectors at
various points. Mr.. Martyr declined to
comment on the interview with Secretary
Morton. IN which the Secretary intimated
that a beef ring exists.
I'VE will wait until the investigation is
concluded" said Mr.. Martyr, land then
will have something to say. The condi-
tons existing in the market for cattle and
dressed beef are strictly natural condi-
tions, brought about by the laws of sup
ply and demand. There is absolutely moth
ing artificial in prices. The supply of cat
tie this spring is 27O,OOO head short. There
are no indications of an increase In the
receipts until July, when cattle from the
northwestern ranges will begin to come
in."
Dr. Melvin of the United States bureau
of animal industry at the Union stock
yards who was directed by Secretary Nor
ton to look into the charges, said he had
forwarded various figures and data to
Washington. which, he admitted, practical
ly con pieted his report. He declined to
give any intim ltion Of It's nature or to ex-
press personal opinions in answer to Ques-
tons. DIR. Melvin says Mr.. Deboe Is MAX
ing simply a regular examination. The
packers, however, of whom Mr.. Deboe has
asked numerous questions, believe he Is
gathering Information on the subject of a
possible beef combine.
DIR. Meiyin's Report Received.
DR.. Salmon, chief of the animal industry
division of the Agricultural Department.
under whose direction the investigation is
being made, said today that the report of
DIR. Melvin on freight rates charged for
transportation of beef had been received,
but refused to make public it's contents.
Speaking generally Of the alleged COM
bine DR.. Salmon said that few men with
a hundred millions of capital, who con-
trolled the stock yards. refrigerating cars
and packing houses, and who obtained low
freight rates. would have abundant oppor-
tunity to make the buying price of cattle
and the selling price of dressed beef. If
the supply of cattle was 100000 short he
asked why the market was daily reported
dull.
DIR. Salmon said If the Investigation
showed that a combine existed. and was
levying tribute the people should know it.
''Will the matter be laid before the De-
partmeEt of Justice?' was asked.
II do not know the Secretary's purpose"
replied DIR. Salmon. II do Iot know how
far the law goes. but If the facts are ascer-
tanned remedy can be provided at the
next session of Congress or by the state
legislatures"
Dr. Salmon said that the effect CT the
recent order admitting Mexican Seattle un-
der vigorous inspection had not become
fully apparent. Perhaps 10000 in all had
been admitted, but 1t was impossible to
estimate how many would come in during
the season.