New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-01
NEAT RETAILERS COWED.
SALES FALL OFF TO A REMARKABLE
EXTENT IN Carbohydrates
DISCHARGE MANY MEN.
tBT TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUxE.l

Chicago. April 30-Meat packers no longer
assume air of Indifference in the present
controversy involving so-called trusts and the
prices Of their products They now the
aggressors and have set the screws the re-
tahers. Men who n day or two ago were open
in tiieir denunciation of the packers methods
show meekness to-day like unto the proverbial
Tneekness Of the lamb.
Through agents Of the big beef concerns hun
dreGs Of the retailers have been approached,
and the latter have experienced change Of
heart Interviews had with some of them when
tie beef inquiry first started replete with
complaints of the grinding methods of the
trust" Interviews with the same persons to-
day brought out the statements that when they
talked before they were mistaken. Now we
know was to-days statement. that the whole
fault lies with the farmers. The packers are
doing the hest they TO make things as easy
possible for the retailers and the consumers
in the matter of prices"
There was an absence of witnesses in MI
Bethea's Office to-day. Judge Day, the govern
rnent representative was at work on the matter
already accumulated. Indications are that all
the facts gathered ready TO be put into con-
neeted, typewriter form tomorrow. Judge Day
has postponed his intended departure for the
East on a matter of private business until to-
morrow. This is thought TO show that he re-
mains that all the matter may be ready be
fore he leaves.
Frank " Busch, who formerly the pri-
waite secretary Of l. F. Swift. and who was the
most desired witness for the government, went
voluntarily TO Mr.. Bethea late last night and
gave his testimony. This evidence may put the
capstone on the case that the government at
torneys have been building. Mr.. Busch had
charge of the correspondence between theNfirms
which are said 10 be in a combination in re-
straint of trade.
District Attorney Bethea still declines to say
whether not he thinks it necessary to send
the bill to Attorney General Knox before filing
it in the federal court If it is decided to send
IT on. the Attorney General If he finds it salts
factory in every particular. will simply tele-
graph order for its Immediate filing. If he
wishes to amend it in any particular there will
be another delay.
What the packers most feared in the present
agitation against their business methods has
come TO pass. There is a boycott meat all
the country Experts say that within the
next few days there may be a remarkable slump
in prices a consequence. The big packers still
control the situation, for they have it in their
power TO put the carcasses in cold storage or
the meat for canning purposes and the ex-
port trade Under these circumstances there
viii he a big boom for the vegetarians
According TO Secretary PritChard of the Chi
cago Health Department, the sales of meat have
dropped off to a remarkable extent. There is
much high priced meat in the retail butcher
shops that he fears attempts will be made to
sell IL after it has become unfit to eat The de-
partment has given warning to all inspectors to
look out for bad meats and horsehesh- II is
thought the high prices may tempt dealers TO
put the latter the market.
The best proof that the boycott of the public
has been felt is the discharge of five hundred
men by the packing house of Libby, Mcneil g.
Libby which is controlled by Swift & Co. Ad
missions made by representatives of the pack
ers show that alarming conditions prevail in
the yards. In nearly all the big plants are
being laid off The shipments of dressed beef
have decreased in the last ten days that
cars piling up in the railroad yards, block
ing traffic.
Arthur Meeker, manager of the beef depart
ment at Armours admits that the laying off Of
men Is general all the yards. He says
everybody knows the reason. Louis T. Pfael-
ger. manager for SchWarZschild & Sulzberger,
says: Business has taken a decided slump"
Superintendent Morrow of the Libby plant
fused TO discuss the reason, except to say: "A
dull trade: that's all
Asserting that they could not sell meat, owing
10 the falling eff in its consumption, the packers
to-day stopped buying cattle except to fill i'm
mediate orders. The effect of the decree was TO
leave ten thousand unsold cattle in the pens
the end of the market period