Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-24
GARFIELD ON THE RACK
SHARPLY RoSS-EXAMINED AT
PACKERS HEARING IN CHICAGO.

Commissioner of Corporations Garfield
was subjected to a severe cross-examina-
ton In the packers hearing trial at Chicago
yesterday, and he was still on the stand
when court adjourned. During the exami-
nation after The Star report closed yester-
day afternoon, he admitted that he had
turned over to the Department of Justice
some information which had been secured
during the investigation of the beef-packing
industry, but asserted that It was nothing
which had any bearing on the case now on
hearing.
The information given the Department
OF Justice he said, had been received by
the agents of the departments from men
ali over the country asserting themselves
to have Information or violation OF the
law by defendants. No information OBJ
tained from the packers was given to the
Department of Justice. he said.
Garfeld's Explanation.
Previous to the cross-examination by At
torney Hynes. District Attorney Morrison
took up the matter OF the alleged turning
over of data by Mr.. Garfield to the De-
partment OF Justice. He asked Mr., Gar
field to give a complete statement on this
point.
Information relative to the beef indus
try said Mr.. Garfield, was from time 10
lIui6 ItpOEleu Dy me 10 the PRESIDENT.
Some of 1t was In the form of verbal re-
ports and others in the form of written
reports. Certain portions OF that infor-
nation the President directed me to give
/ did from time to time turn over to the
Attorney General.
What information was it?''
TT was information having to do with
the statements that had been received by
my agents from different men all over the
country, either claiming to have knowl-
edge. or Offering information to alleged
violations Of the Injunction, or as to alleged
violations of law"
Are you speaking now of Information
that was obtained from the defendants?"
There was no information obtained from
these defendants that was turned over to
the Attorney General except certain In
formation contained In what chapter
five OF the report, which l had made to the
President. and which had not been publish
ed and had to do with the prices of cattle
purchased and killed"
The Information Furnished.
was there anything else that was OBJ
tained from those companies that was at
any time turned over by order Of the Presf-
dent. or otherwise2"
There was not"
was any informa ton that was talked
of conffdentially between you and any OF
the defendants turned over?'
II object to that as calling for con-
clusion," said Attorney Miller.
Il suppose you would not be entitled to
that" ruled the court
The witness then answered that nothing
was turned over concerning prices of any
products. concerning profits and losses in
the business, or pertaining to expenses or
margins. He next explained that the
chapter referred to was given to Assistant
Attorney General Oliver Z. Pagin and he
brought II to chicago.
A letter of January %, 1905, from Com
missioner Garfield to Special Agent Durand
was handed to the witness. 1t admonished
him to be careful IN securing information
from the packers; that they might not be
able TO claim the privilege of immunity.
This. letter had not been produced at the
direction of Mr.. Garfield, and the attorneys
for the packers accused District Attorney
Morrison of Withholding it. sharp debate
followed. the district attorney denying that
he had done anything of the kind.
In answer to questions from Attorney
Hynes, Mr. Garfield said that he had con-
ferred in January with Attorney General
Moody.
Did you discuss then anything about the
compulsory powers of your Officer" asked
Mr.. Hynes.
Il do not recall that we did. we had
a broad discussion on the matter.
Did you intend 10 exercise your powers
if the defendants refused to give you in
formation"
The district attorney objected to the ques-
ton and the court ruled that testimony
regarding intentions would be in error
Court adjourned till Monday