New-York tribune., 1902-05-16
WAR ON BEEF TRUST,
DOUBLE ATTACK by ATTORNEY GEN
ERAI.-HEARING POSTPONED.

Davies disclosed the fact to-day that he is at
tacking the Beef Trust from two different direc-
tonS. One of these branches is the heating OF
testimony about the meat trust before eX-Judge
Judson s. Landon OF the Court of Appeals. Wit
nesses will appear before Judge Landon. and the
first of them appeared to-day before that judge
In the City Hall here
The other branch of the proceeding is before
Justice Chester. of the Supreme Court. He Will
hear the testimony given about the alleged trust
by the representatives Of the concerns which
slaughter cattle. Justice Chesters part in this
investigation of the Beef Trust was not disclosed
until to-day when Attorney General Davies
revealed II. Justice Chester will hear the first
evidence from the representatives of the Beef
Trust tomorrow. If they have been legally sum-
moned into court. and are present. Mr. Leggat
Of the Attorney Generals office is now In New
York serving the legal documents upon the wilt
nesses. Justice Chester as a judge of the Su-
preme Court. has more power to compel a wit
ness to give evidence than is possessed by a
referee
ACTIONS AGAINST COMPANIES.
Attorney General Davies in his petition to the
Supreme Court for investigation of the al
legged Beef Trust said that he intended to begin
an action against the following firms and cor
porations. among others: Armour & Co. Cudahy
Packing Company, Nelson Morris & Co.. Swift
& Co. Schwarzschild & Sulzbe-ger and G.. H
Hammond & Co. The Attorney General then
says:
That, your petitioner is informed and be-
heveS. heretofore about August ., 1899
the above named firms and corporations with
others, entered into contracts, agreements. ar
rangements or combinations whereby there was
created and has been since that time estab-
lshed monopoly in the sale in this State Of
fresh meats including beef. veal. sheep lambs
calves and pigs. whereby competition in this
State IN the supply and price of such articles
and commodities has bee and is being re-
strained or prevented for the purpose of Gre
atng, establishing and maintaining a monopoly
within this State Of the sale of fresh meats. a
aforesaid. and for the purpose Of restraining
the free pursuit in this State of the lawful bust
ness. trade and occupation of dealing in and
selling fresh meats.
The Attorney General further says in his petit
ton that the names of the persons acting as
managers agents and representatives of the
firms at alleged meetings held on Thursday. at
which an arbitrator is furnished with the names
are:
on behalf Of Swift & Co. William II Noyes
Co. Charles c. GaIbraith. on behalf Of Schwarz-
schild & SuZberger. James A Howard: on
behalf OF the Cudahy Packing Company. /. w
Christian; on behalf of G. II. Hammond & Co
Thomas H. Wheeler; on behalf of Nelson Morris
& Co. John Pavitt.
Ex-Judge Landon was promptly on hand q,
the Supreme Court room In the city Hall of
Albany this morning at 10 O'Clock 70 hear the
first evidence against the alleged Beef Trust
and so. also. were Attorney General Davies and
J. Newton Fiero. the special counsel Of the State
but none OF the lawyers of the trust were pres
ent Attorney General Davies said he had re-
ceived telegram from "A representative Of the
trust requesting him to delay taking any evi-
dence until noon, after the arrival Of the E,u
pire state Express from Neyv-York He would
comply with this request and ask an adjourn
!htht until noon. An adjournment was therefore
taken till that hour.
THE OPENING OF THE HEARING.
When noon had come Albert T. Boardman and
Philip B. Adams. counsel Of Armour x Co. ap-
peared and said they represented that firm. The
taking OF evidence then began. Andrew w Ger
lach, the first witness said he was a retail meat
dealer at No. 2.135 Broadway. New-York. He
had been I'm business for twenty seven years and
had business relations In that time with all tn.
big meat dealers. Since January l all kinds of
meat had advanced I'm price. Cattle that then
cost eight cents II pound. now cost IL and l.
cents. Lambs at that time were eight cents a
pound, and were now l3i2 cents. Pork had ad-
N'nCed nNe cents pound Upon one occasion
he had discovered that meat he had bought was
twenty pounds short In weight. He had offered
check IN payment, deduCting the amount ne
would have had to pay If it weighed twen-
~ pounds more. This check was refused and
he was compelled To pay cash Then ne was
told that he was on blacklist. Up 10 that TIM.
his credit was excellent, but that difference
matter OF 10 cents-had brought about his being
Jlac kiisted.
Mr.. Boardman asked the witness this question.
How do the prices charged by Armour & Co
compare with those charged by the firms Just
They all about the same" said the wit
ness.
Albert Epstein. OF New York Il member of the
law hrm OF Epstein Brothers. said h., had no |
papers or documents that belonged To the Beef |
Trust. He had seen a clients letter book that |
contained letters written by T.. T. Hughes who !
IS Teputed to be a confidential clerk Of Cudahy |
X CO.. but that book was now In possession OF |
ieneral Burnett. abe Assistant District Attor-
1ey for the southern District OF New York Mr. |
Epstein was asked to give the name of his !
'lient. but declined TO do publicly. He asked |
percussion To consult his counsel
This was granted. and the court took a recess |
FOR two hours. Then. later. Mr.. Epstein prom |
sed To permit the Attorney General to SEE. all |
he letters I'm question.
POSTPONEMENT OF HEARING
Attorney General Davies then stated that he |
lad expected 10 occupy all the afternoon with |
he testimony of an important witness but had |
'eceved telegram from an Assistant District
Attorney of New-York asking him To defer call
ng this witness until he had been examined i'm
Chicago by those conducting the federal in
luiry regarding the Beef Trust. He therefore