Omaha daily bee., 1906-02-02
EDWARD SWIFT ON STAND
Cross Examined by Attorney Morrison in
the Packers Case.
NOT PLEASED WITH GARFIELD REPORT
Witness says No Agreement Was
Made with Durnnd, but His
Company Yielded to
Ali Demands.

CHICAGO, Feb, 1.-The Cross-eNanllna-
ton OF Edward r. Swift occupied almost
the entire day in the packers trial. Dis
trict Attorney Morrison delivered his
questions with the speed OF a rapid-fire
gun. but did not succeed at any time in
embarrassing the witness. who considered
his replies carefully before making them.
The witness declared positively that Com
missioner Garfield was given all the in
formation he asked for. but several times
admitted that he could not tell whether
certain specific Information had been given
to the government agents or not. Mr..
Swift testified that he did not know
whether or not he was a stakeholder in
the Kenwood company, one of the concerns
which the government declares was formed
by the packers to enable them to control
the output of by-products. His attorneys
asserted that the Kenwood company was
not in business at the time mentioned by
District Attorney Morrison, and the dis
trict attorney declared with much energy
that he would show during the trial that
the Kenwood company was in operation at
the time the Indictment against the pack
ers was returned. Other witnesses were:
Louis F. Swift, president of Swift and
Company, and Jesse p. Lyman of Boston.
former president of the National Packing
company. The testimony of both was UNI
important Mr. Lyman was still on the
stand when court adjourned for the day.
Mr.. Swift Cross-Examined.
Edward swift of Swift and Company, re-
sumed the witness stand in the packers
case today, and was examined regarding
some small details by his attorneys before
cross-examination by District Attorney
Morrison commenced. Mr.. Morrison, by
tedious processes, brought out the following
facts: That government representatives
made an investigation of the Swift books
and papers and that the Swift company fur
nished information concerning private cars
owned by the National Packing company.
Mr.. Swift told Mr.. Durand the number of
cars the Swift company ran. Witness re-
ferred Mr.. Durand to Mr.. Swifts counsel
for further information at that time
Mr.. Swift seemed nervous under the rapid
fire of questions. but spoke quietly.
Mr.. Morrison presented one of Garheld's
acquisitions and asked Mr.. Swift if it was
not the substance of an agreement between
Mr. Durand and Swift and Company. The
witness said:
L never made an agreement with Mr..
Durand. We yielded everything he wanted.
silent as to National.
Did you furnish the information about
the National Packing company"
Il am not an official of the National
Packing company. 1t can take care of
itself"
did you ever give Mr.. Durand any infor-
nation about your holdings in the National
Packing company"
Il would not say did or did not"
The district attorney asked:
Now Mr.. Swift, did not Mr.. Garfield sub
NIT the proofs of his reports to you to see
if you were satisfied"
Mr.. Hines objected and District Attorney
Morrison said '.'rH
The theory Of the government is that
there was an understanding that the matter
should not be published until the packers
were satisfied with the report. We will
show that Mr.. Garfield came back with
typewriter copy of his report which had
not yet been printed. and that the packers
were anxious to have this report go to the
publisher"
The district attorney then asked the wit
ness If he was satisfied with the Garfield
report and Mr.. Swift said he was not.
Somewhat I'm Doubt.
District Attorney Morrison questioned the
witness at length regarding his opinion of
the Garfield report and Mr.. Swift ad-
United he had requested the commissioner
TO eliminate from the report reference to
to marriage of a sister of Mr.. Swift to
member of the firm of Nelson Morris &
Co and the resulting transfer of stock. He
declared also that the Swift family con-
troled the stock of the company
did Mr.. Garfeld's men interview your
employees at your office as we'll as look
into your books?" asked the district at
torney.
II understand so--yes. they did, under
stand they did-they dd-yes l think-I
know they dd-yes, think, l understand
yes replied the witness, bringing out
the last word with an emphasis that
caused Judge Humphrey and all the at
torneys to laugh heartily.