The state herald., 1905-05-12
Investigation Of the Packers.

Very general interest has been man.
Tested In the government investiga-
tion 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 inequitable methods has been dis
closed to the public. While n 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 TO make specific denial.
the many indefinite charges OF wrong.
doing having never been formulated
so that 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 and
Labor OF the United States, was n vim
dicatlon OF the Western packers, but
this result having been unexpected at.
tempts In many quarters to discredit II
were made.
In view OF the situation as II now
stands, however. attention may prop.
erly be called TO u fow facts
that owing TO popular clamor are now
being apparently overlooked. Fair
treatment In this country has hereto.
fore been accorded to nil citizens
whose Affairs assume prominence In
the public eye and some of the facts
that bear upon the relation OF the pack.
efs to the commerce OF the country
may at this time be briefly alluded to.
II would be difficult TO estimate the
benefits gained by tho farmers OF the
country resulting from the energetic
enterprise Of the packers. for whatever
IN OF benefit 10 the farmer n u gain TO
the entire commerce Of the country.
s.nd connected with their continuous
aggressive work no feature perhaps
has been more important than their
efforis In seeking outlets all over the
world for the surplus products OF tho
farmer. our total exports OF ngricul.
tural products have gained but little
In the past twenty years. and leaving
out corn. the total Of all other farm
products WAS fnr less In 1908 than In
1891. But In packing house products
there was considerable sain during this
period. because mn organized and pow.
crful force has been behind them seek.
ing new and broader markets.
Besides the benefits roaped by farm.
erA on account Of the enterprise and
energy exercised by the packers In NJ.
tninins commercial results by foreign
trade. the great development In IN.
manufacture of packing house by.
products has added enormously 10 the
value OF all live stock raised In the
United States. The waste material of
'wonty years ago. then an expense 10
the packer, IN now converted into mr..
ticleH OF great value, and. NJ np eco
romlc fact, this must cofrespondinsiy
Increase the value 10 the farmer Of
every head of cattle marketed at the
numerous stock yards ~ the country.
lrt these facts be remembered while
now II In 50 popular To regard tho
great packing Industry as deserving
NJ condemnation, A. least II must bo
admitted that, 80 far there Ia no ade
auair reason for the almost unani.
nous howl that may be heard every.
where IN the face ~ the Garflsid re-.
por, above alluded 10 which practically
nkonsfaies the packers from the ob.
tcure and Indefinite charges that have
been Tor some time pas, made the sub.
lect of popular comm.nt.-Anerlcan
Homestead.