Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-16
BEEF PACKING MERGER
Denounced by W. M. Springer
in Kansas City.
SPEECH TO CATTLEMEN
ATTENTION CALLED TO SUIT IN
CHICAGO.
Stock Growers Urged to Take an In
terest in Fight Against
the Trusts.
SPEECH TO CATTLEMEN

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, January 18.-The
sixth annual convention Of the National
Livestock Association finished its 1abors
here today. The work Of the last sessions
consisted in passing upon resolutions ia
vorably recommended by the executive
committee, in the delivery and discussion
Of several addresses Of interest, in the
naming of convention city and in con-
firming the old officers for the ensuing
year, all Of whom had been recommended
for reelection.
Mr.. VIM. M. Springer spoke on the pro-
posed merger Of the packing plants. After
detailing the proceedings in equity begun
by Attorney General Knox in Chicago last
May against the so-called beef trust he
said:
''You who are so deeply interested in this
matter ought to assist the government in
every manner possible in its efforts to en-
force the Sherman antitrust law in the
suit now pending in Chicago"
Continuing Mr.. Springer said:
THE pending suit in Chicago has had the
effect, so far, to prevent the organization
by the defendants of a great merger cor
poration, capitalized at several hundred
millions Of dollars, for the purpose of unit
one organization, to be managed and con-
trolled by one board Of trustees.
Only One Buyer In the Market.
THE raisers Of live stock in this country
would, If such a merger corporation were
formed, be compelled to sell all their pro-
ducts to one purchaser and that purchaser
would fix the prices to be paid, the number
of live stock to be purchased and the places
at which they would purchase and pay for
the same.
"Gentlemen Of this convention, are you
ready and willing to subject all your inter-
ests to such condition? If not, you owe
1t to yourselves to aid the government of
the United States in all its efforts to pre-
vent the formation Of such a merger cor
poration."
Mr.. Springer quoted approvingly Pres
ident Roosevelt's speech in Indiana last
1--WE do not wish to destroy corporations
We wish to make them subserve the public
good"
The speaker reviewed proposed legislation
to restrict trusts, and said:
without any amendment to the present
law its enforcement can be made effective
for the suppression Of every trust in the
United States"
tion on the subject of trusts. and in con-
Guiding said:
'In this matter the voice Of the people
will be the voice of God. 1t will be so pow
erful that all public officials and all politi-
cal parties will obey it."
Report on Resolutions.
At a meeting Of the executive committee
Of the association last night the following
resolutions received favorable considera-
tion for the conventions consideration to-
day;
Indorsing the omnibus statehood bill.
Indorsing the policy of the Agricultural
Department in it's efforts to eradicate poi
sonous plants on the ranges
Indorsing the Tongue pure food BILL
which Is now before Congress; asking that
body to Immediately pass the census bill
Asking the Agricultural Department to
repeal the forest exclusion order and pro-
testing against the government setting
aside vast tracts Of land for game pre-
serves.
Transferring the administration of the
affairs of the forest reserves to the De-
partment of Agriculture.