The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1905-05-20
lnvestIaa,lon Of the Packers.

Very general interest has been man.
Tested In the government investiga-
ton now In progress into the mode OF
conducting business by the large pack
ers located in Chicago and elsewhere.
Much has been written upon the al.
legged Illegal and improper modes OF
business procedure connected with the
packing industry: but II seems that so
far no definite charge OF any kind has
been sustained and no proof OF illegal
or inequitahle methods has been dis
closed TO the public. While a wave OF
severe criticism OF this great indus.
trial interest Is now passing over the
country II might be well 10 remember
that the packers have had as yet no
opportunity 10 make specific denial
the many indefinite charges OF wrong
doing having never been formulated
so that a categorical answer could be
made.
The recent report OF Commissioner
Garfield. which embodied the results
OF an Official Investigation undertaken
by the Department OF Commerce ana
labor of the United States, was vim
dicauon Of Jhe Western packers, but
this result having been unexpected at
tempts In many quarters 10 discredt II
were made
In view OF the situation as II now
stands however attention may proper
ly be called 20 n few facts that owing
20 popular clnmor are now being ap-
parently overlooked. Fair treatment
In this country has heretofore been ac-
corded TO all citizens whose affairs as.
sumo prominence IN the public eye and
some OF the facts that bear upon the
relation OF the packers 20 the com
MERGE OF the country may az this time
be briefly alluded 20. II would be
difficult 10 estimate the benefits gained
by the farmers OF the country result.
ing from the energetic enterprise oil
the packers, for whatever is Of benefit
20 the farmer is n gain TO the entire
commerce OF the country. And con
nected with their continuous agrees
sive work no feature perhaps has been
more important than their efforts in
seeking outlets all over the world for
the surplus products OF the farmer.
Our total exports OF agricultural prod
ucts have gained but little In the past
twenty years. and leaving ont corn.
the total OF all other farm products
was far less in 1903 than In 1891. But
IN packing house products there was
considerable gain during this period
because an Organized and powerful
force has been behind them seeking
new and broader markets.
Besides the benefits rcaped by farm
ers on account of the enterprise and
energy exercised by the packers in at
tanning commercial results by foreign
trade. the great development I'm the
manufacture uf packing house byprod
ucts has added enormously 10 the
value OF an live stock raised In the
United States. The waste material Of
twenty years aGo. then m expense 10
the packer. IS now converted into ar.
ticles Of great value and, as an eco
monte fact. this must corrCspo ndingly
increase the value 20 the farmer OF
every head OF cattle marketed az the
numerous stockyards OF the country
Let these facts be remembered while
now II IS so popular 10 regard the
great packing industry as deserving Of
condemnation A least IL must be ad
mitted that. SO far there Is no ade
quate reason for the almost unani.
nous howl that may be heard every.
where in the face OF the Garfield re.
port above alluded 20 which practical
~ exonerates the packers from the oh
scurc and indefinite charges that have
been for some time past made the sub.
iect OF popular comment AmCricdn
Homestead