Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-02-22
DENIES PROMISE
OF PROTECTION
COMMISSIONER GARFIELD GIVES
LIE TO THE PACKERS,
NO IMMUNITY ASSURED
Absolutely contradicts indicted Beet
Trust Men on Their Testimony
That He Said They Woulo not Be
Prosecuted If They Gave Him In.
formation

Chicago. Fen. Commissioner Of
Corporations Garfield took the stand
yesterday in the packers case ana
deuied many statements maize by Wit,
nts~,s Tor the packers during the hear,
inc Of the immunity pleas now in
progress. Edward Morris, Edward
Swift and Arthur Meeker, respectively
ot Nelson Morris, Swift and Armour
all testified that Garfield had told
them that his department had power
10 compel Information if they refused
to give il willingly. Garfield yester.
day ON the stand declared that he had
never made such statement He also
denied that he had ever promised i'm.
muuity 10 the packers, saying the
only protection promised was protee.
ton Tor the individual firms of their
confidential figures This, he said,
had been given them, and although
the average of these confidential
figures had been given in the report Of
the cnmmis siouer ON the beef indus
try, the individuals had been respect
ed 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 connec.
ton with the investigation. Garfield
was the first witness for the govern
mcnt. the packers having rested their
case shortly before the noon recess
OF court.
Garfield told Of his coming to Chica-
go and meeting the packers his nc.
count OF the occurrences and CONVEX
Satons not differing IN any essential
from those given by witnesses FOR the
packers. He declared, however, that
Attorney Krauthoff, who had advised
Armour to allow inspection OF books
and plants. told him tnat he would
consider an inspection by federal
officer on the beef business rather an
advantage than otherwise to the pack
ers He declared that Krauthof asked
ten given by the packers, and was in
fomed by the witness that II would
be given to the president. krauthoH
asked what the president would do
with it and Garfield declared that he
could not answer that question but
added Il told him. that Of course the
president would not make any i'm
proper use OF it."
Did YOU say the packers would be
protected if they gave Information ."
Il did not"
Did you say that all information
would be strictly confidential
No did not.
Did you ever say To Edward Nor
ms that your bureau was entirely di-
yorced from any other department"
Il did not use -aose words | sal!
the bureau reported to The president.
and was not under the department Of
justice
Did YOU say TO Edward Swift thal
YOU had power TO compel information,
but that you hoped you would not be-
compelled TO use it,
Il did not.
Was anything said about the pack
crs having protection -
Nothing, except in SO far az thai
they were to have protection relative
TO confidential figures"
The witness was taken over his con
.ersation with Arthur Meeker general
superintendent Of Armour Mceker
testified that the commissioner hal
said 10 him that the bureau Of corpor
atoms had ample power 10 compel IN
formation but Garfield said lha' nc
never made such statement 10 Meek
on GARFIELD Viii testify again today