Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-02-22
Commissioner Of Corporations Says
packers Statements Are False.
They Were Not Told They Could
Be Compelled TO give Faets-No
Mention Was Made Of
az nm Oath.

MED many OF the statements MADE py
the witnesses for the packers during
the hearing Of the case now In pro-
gress. Edward Morris, Edward swift
and Arthur Mseker, representatives
respectively Of the packing firms OF
Nelson Morris q Co., Swift & Co., and
Armour & Co., all testified that Conn
missioner Garfield had told them that
his department had the power 70 COM
Del information II they refused TO
give 1t willingly. Mr.. Garfield on the
stand declared that he had never made
such statement He also denied that
he had ever promised immunity %
the packers, saying that the only pro-
lection that had been promised was
protection for the individual packers
of their confidential figures. This he
said, had been given them and al
though the average Of the conhden-
tial figures had been given in the report
OF the commission on the beef inquiry.
individuals had been respected. and
their names had not been given. He
also denied positively that he promised
that all information would be regarded
as confidential. He also denied that he
had at any time said anything regard
ing an oath in connection with the
investigation. Mr.. Garfield was the
first witness for the government the
packers having rested their case short
" before tbs noon recess Of court
Tuesday.
Commissioner Garfield told Of his
coming to Chicago and meeting the
packers, his account Of the occurrences
and conversations not differing In any
essential from those given By the witt
nesses for the packers He declares.
however, that Mr.. Krauthoff, the at
torney who had advised Armour &
Co., to allow the inspection Of their
books and plants, told him that he
would consider an inspection By a
federal officer on the beef business,
rather an advantage than otherwise
to the packers.
He declared that Mr.. Krauthoff ask
ed what would be done with the lpfor-
nation given by the packers and was
informed by the witness that It would
be given to the president. Mr.. Kraut-
hoH asked what the president would
do with it and Commissioner Garfield
declared that he could not answer that
question, but added, Il told him that,
Of course, the president would not
make any improper use of IT,"
did you say that the packers would
be protected If they gave the informa-
tion?"
Il did not"
did you say that all Information
would be strictly, conhdential?
mo, l did not"
what did you do with the confden..
tial information you secured?"
ut was made into averages and CIV
EN- to the president"
The witness added that no connden-
tial information other than that aver
aged and contained in his official re-
port had been given to the president
Ibid you say anything. TO Mr.. Kraut-
hon about an oathT asked District
Attorney Morrison.
mo"
did you say that you would let
= y aaa
them know about an oathf"
II did not"
The witness then told Of meeting
Edward Morris, Edward Swift, and
Jesse P. Lyman, and declared that bis
interviews with them were similar to
the one he had with Mr.. KTauthoR.
'HOw nd you happen to come 10
Chicago, February 2si" asked the dis
trict attorney.
IT came here 90 that the packers
might see that l had used in my re-
port the figures taken from their books
in line with our agreement. ! wanted
them to see that did not use the In
diVidual figures on the confidential
material"
The witness then said that he had
submitted his report to the packers
and that they all agreed that be had
made proper use Of the confidential
information given TO him.
ibid you ever say to Edward Nor
ris that your bureau was entirely d.
Yorced from any other Department.
Il did not use those words ! said
the bureau reported TO the president
and was not under the department Of
Justice"
did you say 10 Edward Swim that
you had the power 10 compel informa-
ton, but that you hoped you would
not be compelled 70 uas itf-
Il did not"
'was anything said about The pack
err having protsctionf
Nothing. except IN % far e. that
they were % have protection rslatiYu
to the confidential hgurek~
Ths witness was then taken over hi
conversation with Arthur NsskeE, gun.
eral superintendent o. Armour q Co
~. Meshaf tsstiaod that ~ oommis.
aioner had said % him.fha ~ bureau