The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-05
WAR ON The
"BIG SIX
1t Is Said They Are Fighting
the Movement for an
Independent Co.
A Squeeze in Soap Materials
Also Laid at the Pack
ers' Door.
Ho~ York Sun SnscEa5 SarvKco


Chicago, May SIN the apparent ma
nipulations of the live stock market in
the last few days the retail meat dealers
profess to see evidence of an attempt by
the trust" packers to block a movement
on the part of the retailers and ranching
interests to form an independent packing
company.
The parties interested in the independ-
ent project charge that the packers known
to the beef trade as the big six practi-
cally own or control the marketable
stock at the present time. 1t is alleged
that they are using their control as a
club to brighten possible investors in the
new undertaking.
1t Is generally conceded that large
part Of the live stock supply is more or
less subject to the will of the packers who
are about to be cited into the United
States circuit court. Their Influence"
with the stock raisers is gained through
control of the best pasturage lands IN the
west and as chattel mortgage creditors Of
the stockmen they dictate the selling
policy of the cattle owners.
The selling policy" as understood
around the live stock exchanges, con-
sists In directing the time, place and
various details, such as the selection OF
a commission firm, when the cattle are to
be brought into market. Interest for the
use of the money advanced, or payment
for the pasturage used, is deducted from
the proceeds Of the sale. -..
AS practical working Of the influence
used with the stock raiser, recent mes
cages sent out by Swift & Co., one Of the
big six" combination, are cited. These
messages denote that the stockmen re-
Quire of their congressman that they op-
pose the beef inquiry. - ~ -.
The statement was made yesterday by
a man formerly connected with one OF the
large packing firms that at least one
member of the big six" is now trying 10
induce large retail meat dealers to invest
In It's stock for the purpose OF making
the company a mutual affair The
company which has adopted the new policy
.'pressure" in influence" for use ir
Washington. 80. g..
A Squeeze In Soap.
Tallow and stearine, which enter largely
into the manufacture Of butterine ane
soap. have followed beef in the upward
trend of prices recently, until the makers
have been forced, they say to advance
soap prices. They declare, too, that tn
packers have the smaller manufacturer
OF all but high grade toilet soaps at tnel
mercy. In addition to the advance Il
prices in all parts Of the country, les
soan has been put on the market durini
the past few weeks than for any simila
time in ten years. All who are compelle
to buy their raw material from the hi
six' are anxious for a drop IN prices.
So firm is the grasp of the packers
themselves manufacturers Of soap-tha
some soap makers declare they are con
templating dropping all but the highes
and costliest grade. The price on thes
has not risen as yet, for the packers ar
not as active competitors in that oranc
of the trade
whether the packers have been force
to raise the price on tallow and stearine
which is tallow oil, soap makers are !
doubt, but whatever the cause, they ar
J; bitter in their comment on the resul
They assert that they cannot 90 pusln in
with materials at their present price