The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1903-01-16
Portland Seems to Have
the Lead for Meeting
to Come in 1904.
SPR|NCER'S ADDRESS
Discusses Merger of Pack
ing Concerns, and Tells
How to Kill II.
ny AssocIAtrn rnlss-


Kansas City Jan. I6.-Ihc sixth annual
convention of the National Livestock
association finished its labofs here today
The work of the last session consisted in
passing upon resolutions favorahly recon-
mended 10y the executive committee IN the
delivery and discussion OF several ad-
dresses of interest. in the naming of A
convention city and confirming the olI
officers for the ensuing year all of whom
had been recommended for re election.
The officers indorscd are John w.
Springer OF Denver, president John NJ.
Holt of Miles City Mont, first vice presi-
dent; i, ]. llazcnbarlh, Salt Lake City,
second vice president; George l.. Could
ing, Denver, treasurer Charles j.. Marten,
Denver, secretary; Fred T.. johnson, Den
yer. assistant secretary.
The counsel. who last year were Judge
William NJ. Springer OF Washington. -. C.,
and Hon. Ralph Talbot Of Denver, will
also be named by the eonvcution. The
fight for the i0o4 convention was taken up
the last thing IN the afternoon. Although
there were half dozen cities in the race
Tor the honor. Portland, Oregon, seemed
To be far IN the lead and the delegation
from that state were confident OF winning
out The delegates of the American lfoal
breeders association held caucus and
unanimously indorsed Portland and other
agencies were actively at work for the
coast city.
Address by Springer.
The addresses on the morning program
included one by Hon. William NJ. Springer
on "Ihe Proposed Merging Of the Packing
Plants Of This Country; the Effects and
Remedy" one by Captain Brtton Davis,
Chihuahua, Mexico, on The Livestock
Industry IN the Republic of Mexico and Its
Relations 10 the United States :" and a
third by Prof. {. i. Cuftiss Of Iowa, on
Stations"
Judge Sprinpcr's address which was well
received, led TO considerable discussion.
Mr. Springer detailed at length the pro-
cccdings IN equity begun by Attorney Cen
cral Knox in Chicago last May against the
sO-called beef trust" and declared that II
members had information that the defend
ants had violated the temporary Injunction
granted by the federal court, such iniorma-
ton should be furnished n once 10 the
attorney general OF the United States
Mr.. Springer analyzcd the plcadinps
made by the defendants in support Of their
demurrer to the attorney generals bill and
declared the defendants contention, that
no restraint Of interstate commerce had
been shown and that the arrangement
complained Of, which only touched the live
stock al the point Of purchase and meats
at the point OF sale, was unSound.
Prevented Monster Merger.
Mr.. Springer continued: The pending
suit IN Chicago has had the effect so far to
prevent the organization by the defendants
Of great merger corporation, capitalized
at several hundred millions Of dollars for
the purpose OF uniting all the packing
plants in this country into one OrPaniza-
ton, to be managed and controlled by one
board Of trustees. The raisers Of livestock
in this country would il such merger
tad
sell all their products TO one purchaser
and that purchaser would fix the prices TO
be paid, the number Of livestock to be pur-
chased and the places at which they would
purchase and pay for the same. Gentle
men of this convention, are you ready and
willing to subject all your interests TO such
condition. II not, you owe il to your
selves to aid the government Of the United
States in all its efforts to prevent the for
nation Of such merger corporation
Mr.. Springer quoted approvingly Presi.
dent Roosevelt's speech in Indiana last
Sentember in which the president said
We do not wish to destroy corporations.
We wish to make them subserve the nub-
lie good" The speaker reviewed prop %ei
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"
Congress Is Powerless.
However the laws of congress cannot
reach trade and commerce wholly within
single state. Hence the necessity for
state legislation on the subject and Mr..
Springer suggested that the convention
recommend to the several state legisla-
lures the passage of such measure as will
efectually prevent abuses.
The speaker submitted the draft OF
bin which he has formulated, ITO protect
trade and commerce against unlawful re-
straints and monopolies" The bill may be
passed by the legislature of any state. OF
its terms Mr.. Springer said 1T is
merely an adaptation of the Sherman anti
trust law and the Hoar bill now pending
in the United States senate to trade and
commerce wholly within the boundaries
of state"
Mr.. Springer concluded by saying; The
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