The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1905-05-30
COMMISSIONER GARFlELD'S RE.
PORT ON BEEF INDUSTRY.

The report of Commissioner Gar
field on the beef industry has at last
been published. 1t must be some
what of surprise to those who have
been indulging in wholesale adverse
criticism upon the methods of the
Chicago packers, as it discloses facts
and figures which clearly show that
the great food producers have been
innocent of the serious offenses with
which they have been charged. They
have been for long time accused by
newspapers all over the country of
extortionate prices demanded, and OBJ
tanned, of depression of values Of cat
tie at the various stockyards where
their business is conducted, Of enor-
nous profits wholly disproportionate
to the capital employed, and, in gem
eral, OF so carrying ON their business
that the public, under an organized
system OF spoliation, were being
robbed for their exclusive benefit.
We find now, however, that not a
single one of these charges has been
sustained but, on the contrary, that
rigid and searching investigation, of
hcially made has resulted in com
plete acquittal.
Instead of extortion it is shown that
no industry can be found where so
narrow margin of profit prevails
the actual records and original en-
tries, to which the commissioner had
Tree access, showing that the high
est net profit any of the packers
made on their sales of beef was two
ana three-tenths per cent in 1902 and
IN one instance that the profit realized
cent.
Inc variations in the market prices
Tor cattle are exhaustively treated
ana no evidence of any kind was dis
covered, or even limited at, tending to
snow that values of cattle are in the
slightest degree improperly affected
or controlled by packers at anv of
the chief centers of the Industry
On the whole, the report completely
dissipates the prevalent idea that
s, fortunes are being amassed by
ltesai ana improper methods en-
pIoyed by western packers, showing
snat Notwithstanding the high prices
tor Deet prevailing in 1902 the bust.
ness was Less remunerative than in
years characterized by normal values.
n DoIn ror cattle and product He saws
mat the year 1902, instead of being
one OF exorbitant profits. as has been
cohnonly supposed, was less profit
aDle imam usual. In fact, during the
u. when the prices of beef were
.ne highest, some, at least. of the
leaulng packers were losing money
On every head of cattle slaughtered.
~ was not possible to advance the
prices Oh beef in full proportion to the
81 A. ADVANCE in the prices of cattle
alter all that has been written re.
tneellng upon the great business in.
s9lest engaged in the marketing and
of the product of one Of
III o greatest OF our national indus.
nae II IS gratifying to all fair minded
people that the prejudiced attacks
upon IL nave failed of Notification.
anu lne great western packers NAV he
ttoneIatulated for having passed
onab gu such searching and thor.
9 Ths onicial investigation unsmirched
han results of this investigation.
osseu as 1t is upon exhaustive data
gTI ny obtained and verified nv
oniteu states government experts
nust De accepted without hesitation
a ~ .ne investigation was made under
that guaranteed com.
p p,t, accuracy with a possible dieno.
s ELIOT. indeed, to arrive ar enti,aIy,
Inherent results ~ en'irely