Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-29
THE PACKERS ON TRIAL
Taking of Evidence Commenc-
ed at Chicago Today.
Mr.. kRAUTH0FF TESTIFIED
Former Counsel for Armour & Co.
Talked Freely.
INTERVIEW WITH GARFIELD
Witness Told of Meeting Commission
er-The Latter's Position as De-
fined to Him Related
INTERVIEW WITH GARFIELD

CHICAGO. January 29-All efforts by
the attorneys in the packers case to
reach an agreement upon the facts at issue
having failed, the case was resumed to-
day, and the taking of evidence was COM
menced.
The first witness was Louis C. Kraut-
hoff of New York, formerly general coun-
sci for Armour & Co. He was placed on
the stand to narrate his interview with
Commissioner of Corporations Garfield at
the Chicago Club, April 13, 1905, when, the
packers allege, Mr.. Garfield said certain
things, the import of which was that if
he received the information for which he
asked the packers should never be prose-
cuted criminalIy.
Mr.. Krauthoff was asked by John S.
Miller attorney for Armour G. Co, If he
had advised his clients with respect to
their attitude during the investigation
called for by the Martin resolution passed
by Congress, and under which the COM
missioner of corporations cemenced his in
quiry into the packing industry.
Objected to Questions.
District Attorney Morrison objected to
the question and was sustained by Judge
Humphrey.
Mr.. Miller then altered the form of his
question, asking the witness if he had ad-
vised his clients under the resolution. The
district attorney again objected, claiming
that in the present case all that could
be inquired into was what transpired be-
tween the packers and the officers of the
government.
Judge Humphrey admitted the question,
declaring that if it was true that the pack
ers diyulged evidence against themselves
under pressure from the government 1t
would be competent to show the nature
of the legal advice under which the de-
PENDANTS were acting.
Attorney Miller then asked:
Did you advise your clients as to the
powers of the commissioner to compel tes-
timony?'
Did you advise them to comply with his
requirements in case he should call for tes-
timony?"
I advised them
The Meeting With Garfield.
The witness then described his meeting
with Commissioner Garfield as follows:
Charles G. Dawes telephoned to me and
said that Mr.. Garfield was in the city and
asked if / desired to meet him. said that
I would and in company with Mr. Samuel
McRoberts called at Mr.. Dawes bank and
we went to the Chicago Club. was intro
duced by. Mr.. Dawes to Mr.. Garfield. after
some remarks about other matters, Mr..
Garfield opened the matter, and it was dis
cussed for nearly two hours.
Mr.. Garfield stated in formal way, ap-
parently careful of his language, substan-
TALLY this: That the Martin resolution i'm
posed upon him duty of investigating the
packing industry; that in order to do this
he must have access to the books of the
packers. His purpose in coming to Chicago
was to gain this access.
HE said that he had held conferences
with the President and others in respect to
the investigation, and that it was Of very
great Importance. He said that he was
particularly anxious that the investigation
should be fair exhaustive and thorough, so
that the usefulness of his department would
be shown. He said that he realized the
disinclination of business men to disclose
secret matters of business, but that he had
mapped out a. plan. He said. of course. I
knew the powers of his Office, and pro-
duced a pamphlet, a report of the Secre-
tary Of Commerce and Labor. and remarked
again that. of course, knew of his power
to get the information.
My first remark was that had had oc-