The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-15
PACKERS LIKELY
TO GO SCOT FREE
Immunity Clause In Law May Be
the Salvation of the Beef
Trust.
journal Special Service.

+
Washington, Nov. 30. B. Morri;
son, United States district attorney at
eral 4. e. Pagin, who have been con.
Quoting tho governments case against
the beef packers, are in Washington in
consultation with Attorney General
Moody and other administration Of
sued with regard to the members Of the
6 beef trust, who are under indictment at
Chicago.
A peculiar complication has arisen
which may result In letting all the in.
dicted men escape scot free:
Attorney General Moody is trying to
clause Of the organic act establishing
the bureau Of corporations applies in
the case Of the beef men, as the latter
claim. If it should be determined that
it does, there seems to be no way OF
Furnishing the packers for the continued
violation Of the Grosscup Injunction.
sE Four Will Go Free.
There is but little doubt that at least
four of the packers who are under in
dictment will be permitted to escape
from prosecution under the immunity
plea. In his preliminary report on the
beef trust, Commissioner. of Corpora
tons Garfeld mentioned four linen men who
are j. Ogden Armour, Edward Swift,
Edward Morris and Henry Veeder, the
latter being the general counsel for
the trust. These men, as we'll as many
of the other indicted packers, assert
that they are not liable to prosecutor
because they furnished to the govern
ment the evidence on which action was
brought against them.
Roosevelt Interested.
Attorney General Moody is anxi ous
to have the Indicted packers punished.
President Roosevelt is just as deeply
interested in the case and has gone to
the trouble of personally examining Ger
me men s ' case against the beef trust was
clear. But they are up against a pig
obstacle in the "immunity' provision
Of the law.
One Of the points which the attorney
general is trying to settle is whether
the evidence given by. the packers to
which the indictments were secured,
The packers say the main facts are
the same in both instances.
Mr.. Moody is also endeavoring to as
easn the nae ekaet tss}s # 96ey
gave evidence voluntarily and without
taking an oath, this may have some In
Wan
government.
What Did Garfield Pronlise7
Then, too, there is the question of
whether or not Commissioner Garfield
promised immunity. Of course, it is
conceded that if he promised Immunity
from prosecution he exceeded, his au'
thority. But the law itself gives this
promise of protection to those who give
10 the government evidence of viola:
tions of law.
It is contended by certain federal
officers that the packers are not en-
cause they Voluntarily gave to the gov
ernment agents the facts that were de
sired and that, the information was
not given under oath.
Bad Precedent.
The, attorney general also finds him
self badly handicapped. in his light on
the packers by an unfortunate prece
dent, established when the 1nvestlgati or
railroad was under way. It will be re
called that both Traffic Manager Biddle
Of the Santa Fe and Paul Morton ad
mitted that they had given rebates tc
various shippers. The. former claimec
H. una nt ors the cnmmeyce law
Attorney General Moody was inclined
to accede to their demand.
Trial Is Deferred.
. Chicago, Nov. l5.-Witnesses wht
ahve been subpenaed in the case
against the packers were notified today
by the United States district attorney
Office that they need not appear il
nesses were originally subpenaed to aap
pear in court on Oct 2, and the offcia
announcement that the trial will not b.
commenced this year causes much sur
prise and speculation