New-York tribune., 1905-01-16
METHODS OF THE BEEF TRUST.
Do They Not stihe Competition and
Restrain Trade2

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: At the annual meeting Of the stockholders
of Swift & Co. at Chicago, on January .. Presi-
dent L. F. Swift is reported TO have said: 1T is
needless for to say to those present who are
more or less familiar with the facts. that the re-
ports in circulation about the Beef Trust are with
out foundation. There is absolutely no conspiracy
or combination to control prices Of livestock. the
sale OF meats or packing house products. On the
, other hand the packing industry is subjected to
the severest kind of competition, both In buying
and selling. and the percentage of profit on sales
in the packing house industry is less than in other
lines of business"
Most people will agree with Mr. Swift that 1t
was needless for htms to this to those pres
ent as probably not of them believed word
of it. Neither does any one. not stockholder.
who is more or less familiar with the facts be-
lieve word of it.
Now, listen TO Attorney General Moody That
there is a conspiracy to control the market for
fresh meats. that it does control it, and it's
troll is merciless and oppressive facts known
to all men: and yet Mr.. Swift in the most inno-
cent and truthful manner, with q smile that Is
chldlike and bland" denies it. and so solemnly
AYERS that the competition which this weakling is
up against is severe and the profits small that he
a feeling Of pity for the oppressed. perse
cuted men who are trying to honest living
by furnishing the meats to this patient nation.
It is not a conspiracy or combination which
enables them TO fix the price to the producer by
refusing bid upon carloads or droves of cattle,
upon which one of their members has already bid
and his bid been refused; it is only coincidence.
1t is not evidence of conspiracy or combination
that few firms have this whole country mapped
and allotted into districts of about ten thousand
population so that one firm. say. Armour. sells in
this town Swift in that, Morris in the next. and
in larger towns two more. according to the
population. of these firms. each in his single
district, and the two more Concurren1ly In the
larger district having complete monopoly in his
territory; 1t is only another coincidence.
IL Is not evidence OF conspiracy that uniform
price prevails all over the country. which huctu-
ates. not prices OF most commodities do by a
law of supply and demand but by fiat of these
few men. OF course Il is only coincidence
1t Is not evidence OF d conspiracy that few
firms have acquired and hold absolutely the whole
business of sale and delivery meats throughout
TINS Wnole great nation, controlling output and
And then, Mr.. Swift says the competition is so
severe II Is pititul to hear him. l remember 10
nave heard OF cases in many towns where an indl-
vidual had slaughtered and actually sold one or
two old cows that had outlived their usefulness in
the matter for which they We're Originally created
and this individual was actually jonE fbts in M,
entirely independent manner. and without the con-
seFb Fbe OF sgd elther Si OF the be regular firms
prodt TO be less than In other lines OF business
This IS why these firms occasionally and sud
a pound. and keep 1t up for five or six weeks
probably In order 10 bring their profits up To the
average or business profits IN other lines OP
course, there Is no conspiracy TO raise prices nj
these times. II is only another coincideDca 60
am satisfied to leave II with Mr.. Moody to
prove, II possible, that their doings and undoinas
may be classed Interstate or foreign commsres'
and that their methods restrain trade and be,
heve that, II they cannot be controlled under me
present law law will be enacted vvhich
viii hold them. "''e"
The Dingley tariff imposes a specific tax upo,
dressed meats and ad vaiorem duty on IT,
stock. This tax is so high as to be eniireiv ~
hioItve. and pays substantially no revenue SO its