The Red Cloud chief., 1906-02-23
GARFIELD ON STAND
SAYS HE NEVER PROMISED IMMu.
NIFTY TO PACKERS.
Commissioner of Corporations Says
Protection offered Was That Indi.
viduaI Figures Would Be Held Con.
fidential-Exhibits Are Read.

- ' 'bS'So '~s'e wv
Observation-Disclosures Are Read.
Chicago, Feb. 21.-Commissioner OF
Corporations Garfield took the stand
in the packers cas- and denied many
OF the statements made by the wit.
nesses for the packers during tho
hearing of the immunity pleas now in
progress. Edward Morris, Edward
Swift and Arthur Meeker, representa-
tives respectively of the packing firms
of Nelson Morris & Co., Swift q Co.
and Armour & Co, all testified that
Commissioner Garfield had told them
that his department had he power to
compel information If they refused to
give II willingly. Mr.. Garfield, on the
stand, declared that he had never
made such a statement. He also de-
MED that he had ever promised immu'
nifty to the packers, saying that the
only protection hat had been prom
Used was protection for the individual
packers OF their confidential figures.
This, he said, had beer given them,
and although the average of these
confidential figures had been given in
the report of the commissioner in the
beef inquiry, individuals had been re-
spected 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 regarding an oath
in connection with the investigation.
Mr.. Garfield was the first witness for
the government, the packers having
rested their case.
Commissioners Garfield told of his
coming to Chicago and meeting the
packers, his account Of the occur
rences and conversations not differing
In any essential from those given by
the witnesses for the packers. He de-
clared. however, that Mr.. Krauthoff.
the attorney 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
asked what would be done with the
Information given by the packers,
and was informed by the witness that
1t would be given to the president.
Mr.. Krauthoff asked what the presi-
dent would do with it, and Commits
sioner Garfield declared that he could
not answer that question, but added:
II told him that, Of course, the presi-
dent would not make any improper
use of it."
WAS anything said about the pack
ers having projections"
Nothing, except insofar as that
they were to have protection relative
to the confidential figures"
The witness was then taken over
his conversation with Arthur Meeker,
general superintendent of Armour a.
CO.. Mr.. Meeker testified that the
commissioner had said to him that
the bureau of corporations had ample
power to compel information. but
Commissioner Garfield said that he
never made such a statement to Mr..
Meeker.
AT the opening of the case Attorney
Hynes, who represents the interests
of Swift & Co., began to read exhibits
identified earlier in the trial, such as
typewriter statements OF the con
versations between Special Agent Du.
rand and Edward +. Swift at the time
of the inquiry into the packing in.
dustry. Attorney John S. Miller also
read the letter of President Roosevelt
to Attorney General Moody, which
was authenticated some time ago by
the attorney general. This Is the let
ter that declared that the department
of corporations and the department OF
justice were working together in the
beef investigation. Attorney General
Moody, when in Chicago some time
ago, admitted that the letter had beer
written by the president, but claimed
that the statement Of collision be.
tween the two departments was In
correct.