The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-05-12
liberalization of the Packers.

Very general interest has been mani.
Tested In the Government investigation
now In progress into the mode OF con
ducting business by the large packers
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 no
fur no definite charge of any kind has
been sustained and no proof Of Illegal
or inequitahle methods has been dis
closed 10 the public. While q wave OF
severe criticism Of this great industrial
interest is now passing over the couD-
try IL might be well To remember that
the packers have had n yet no oppor-
tunity 10 make specific denial, the
many indefinite charges OF wrong do
ing having never been formulated SO
that categorical answer could be
made
The recent report OF Commissioners
Garfield. which embodied the results
OF an official investigation undertaken
by the Department of Commerce and
Labor OF the United states, was win.
dicatlon OF the Western packers. but
this result having been unexpected at
l'uJAN il Hldhy Nuhi l'lb w bIo'''uiA ~
were made.
In view Of the situation M IL now
stands, however attention may proper.
~ be called 10 few facts that owing
TO popular clamOr are now being ap'
parently overlooked Fair treatment
In this country has heretofore been nc.
'orded 10 all citizens whose affairs as
sumo prominence In the public eye and
some Of the facts that bear upon the
relation OF the packers 10 the com.
mercc OF the country may NJ this time
be briefly alluded TO II would be
difficult 10 estimate the benefits gained
by the farmers OF the country result
ing from the energetic enterprise OF
the packers for whatever IN Of benefit
tO the farmer IL q gain 10 the entire
commerce OF the country. And con
nccted with their continuous aggres-
sivc 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 litiI. 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 wap con
siderable gain during this period. be
cause ai organized and powerful force
has been behind them seeking new and
broader markets.
Besides the benefits reaped by farm
ers on account OF the enterprise and
energy exercised by the packers In al
tanning commercial results by foreign
trade the great development in the
manufacture Of pncking house by yprod-
ucis has added enormously 90 the
value Of all live stock raised in the
United States. The waste material Of
twenty years ago. then an expense 10
the packer. is now converted into ar
iiclcs OF great value and, as nn eco
nOmic fact. this must cOrrespOndinRly
increase the value 10 the farmer or
every head Of cattle marketed at the
numerous stock yards OF the country.
Let these facts be remembered while
now IL ls - popular 10 regard the
great packing industry ~ deserving OF
condemnation. A. least N must 10 ad-
mltted that. so far. there is no ade-
quaie reason for the almost uuani-
nous howl that may be heard every
where ln the face of the Garfield re-
port above alluded 10 which practical.
~ exOnorates the packers from the ob-
scure and indefinite charges that have
teen FOR some time past made the sub
ipct Of popular comment.