Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-04-01
Garfield's Report on Beef Industry
FavorS Packers


The Garfield report on the organiza-
ton, conduct and profits of the corpo-
rations engaged in the beef packing |
industry has been submitted to Presi- |
dent Roosevelt and by him transmitted |
to Congress. The conclusions arrived |
at by the commissioner alter, perhaps,
the most drastic investigation of bust
ness methods ever known, were wholly
unexpected; at least by those who for
some time past have been INDUCING in
unfrieudly criticism upon the business
conducted by the great western pack
ers.
This report indisputably demon
strates that the charges of combination,
market control, extortion and others
along these lines have been either the
result of misinformation or actual ig-
norance of existing conditions or of
deliberate misrepresentation in aid of
sensational journalism.
The investigation was set OH foot by
Congress, conducted by the Department
of Commerce and Labor and was
especially in charge of the commits
sioner, James r. Garfield. 1t has been
carried on for nearly year, and dur
ing period when the popular mind
was inimical to corporate interests
Its subject, too, being one of vital in
terest to the public, as it involves a
necessary food product, there was every
motive on the part of the government
officials of a most thorough and search
ing investigation. The report itself
bears ample testimony that the experts
employed by the government have gone
to the very bottom in their efforts to
get at the actual facts of the situation.
There is too much of it in a book of
about 800 pages for anything like a
detailed revision, but it may be said
that it shows clearly and conclusively
that the severe criticism upon the
methods of the packers has been un-
reasonable and without foundation.
The report shows that the most of
the recent complaint has been popular
clamor if not delusion based upon in
adequate information. 1t would appear
that some such official information was
necessary to clear the atmosphere, for
now it would seem to be almost impos-
sible to continue charges that have
been so completely refuted.
To summarize briefly this report, il
, is shown that, instead of the practice
of extortion and the amassing of enor.
nous fortunes by illegal methods. the
? packers are engaged in business really
less profitable than any other large in
dustry requiring similar large invest
| ment. The commissioner shows tina
; in the year 1902 when prices wer'
highest the business was less profitable
than usual and that some of the lead
ing packers were actually losing none.
on every head of cattle slaughtered
: Regarding control of cattle prices a
|, the different stock yards of the country
there is not the slightest hint that an,
irregularity has existed.
; The commissioner specifically finds
: after the closest examination of al
=. books and papers by government eX
perts, that there is no over-capitaliza
y ton of the several great firms and COZ
porations engaged in the beef industry
S and as to actual net profits, he call
attention to the fact that from July
e 1908, to July /, 1904, these we1
Al shown to be by two of the prinicps
II companies, as ascertained from thei
n books, only 80 cents per head of cattl
N slaughtered or 1876 cents per hundre
weight of dressed beef or less than ont
eighth of a cent per pound.
The more this report is examined /
S, those whose desire is ''to get even wit
81 the packers the less reason will
found to exist for popular discomfort
u AS this official investigation disclos
no departure whatever on the part
ch western packers, from a clear, straigh
forward method of doing business al
ny as the commissioner vouches for Il
accuracy of the facts and figures fro
es which he draws his conclusions, the
" is every reason for its full and c.
plete acceptance.
"a, That the report can only disappoi
nd those who expected the disclosure
an commercial irregularity and Violate
of business ethics is all the more reasC
why the fair and conservative publ
should congratulate itself and tt
rt- packers that no irregularity or illegs
To- ity in the conduct of the business b
lean discOvared