The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-04-21
THE BEEF TRUST.


The beef trust seems to be the OBJ
jeot of governmental inspection just at
present along lines that are likely to
be followed to their proper result of
u prosecution under the antitrust law.
The Department of Commerce and
Labor is investigating the conditions
surrounding the operations of the group
of meatpacking companies which,
when taken together, the general pub
lie believes to comprise the trust. En-
ployees of the department are work.
ing to find out what they can about
this so-called trust aud upon the re-
suits of their labors will depend the
course the government will take If
their findings show that the Sherman
law is being violated, the attorney
general will undoubtedly institute
proceedings to remedy the evil and
punish the offenders.
But the beef trust bids fair to be a
tougher proposition than was the
Northern Securities merger. The
Northern Securities Company was
physical actuality, which could be
known and understood through the
examination of records and agreements
and issues of stocks and bonds. The
beef trust is not so easily found out
Its organization borders on the in
tangible. 1t keeps no books, but OPP
crates under an agreement which has
probably never been reduced to writ
ing. There can be no doubt that
there is combination and a most
powerful and grasping one at that, but
it is likely to be very difficult job
to prove it, 1t is a case of honor among
thieves. The thieves rely Oh one an
others word for the conduct of bust
ness and also keep tight mouths. The
price of beef was strangely advanced
few weeks ago, while the price of live
cattle did not change The public
thinks it understands how this hap.
pened but to verify it's belief is an.
other proposition entirely. Needless
to say, President Roosevelt will do
what he can to secure the enforcement
of the law without regard to excuses
and DISCUSSES. If he can bring the
beef trust off it's high horse, he will
do it,
But there is a new factor in the beef
trust problem. which may upset the
calculations of Armour and Swift and
the others. This is the proposition
of the stockmen of the west, backed
by the National Livestock Associa-
zion, to 60 into the meat packing bus
mess themselves. The plan is to buy
a big plant at Kansas City, plant
with a capacity of 1000 head of cat
tie, 1000 hogs, and 1900 sheep daily,
operate it themselves, and take the
profits themselves. 1t has been we'll
known fact that the difference be-
tween the price of cattle on the hoof
and of dressed meat was far greater
than the cost of manufacture plus a
reasonable profit. Naturally the cat
tie men are not suited and this move
is the result. The money necessary
has already been nearly all subscribed
and there is no doubt that the venture
will be made.
The beef trust has laughed at
Independents in the business in re-
cent years and, whenever it has de-
sired, has driven any struggling
independent out of the field. But
this is different proposition. The
National Livestock Association is not
an infant to be tossed about at will.
1t is a corporation which represents
many millions of dollars in cattle and
sheep and hogs. It's members own the
greater part of the livestock of the
country. Its position will be decided.
ly better than the common independ-
emit. OF course it will have hard con-
ditions to overcome-b the plant,
refrigerator cars must be bought or
built, favorable freight rates must be
secured, and all the machinery for
manufacture and marketing the pro-
ducts must be put in operation. The
trust will fight them at every step by
fair means and foul and with all the
advantage of position. But the sym.
pathies of the people will be with the
independents, for if they win it seems
probable that the price of cattle may
advance and still the price of meat
fall until more equable relation
ship between the two is found.
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