New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-30
Mr.. GARFIELD QUOTED.
Packers Laryer, on Stand, Says IN
formation Vas To Be Secret.

chicago Jan 29-Au efforts by the attorneys
I'm the packers case to reach an agreement on
the facts OF the immunity issue having failed,
the case was resumed to-day and the taking Of
evidence begun. The first witness was Louis
c. KrauthoY. OF New-York, formerly general
counsel for Armour & Co. He placed on
the stand to narrate his interview with Com
missioner Of Corporations Garfield at the Chi
cago Club. April Is. 1905 when, the packers al
lege. Mr.. Garfield said certain things, the import
Of which was that if he received the informa-
ton for which he asked the packers should
never be prosecuted criminally.
The witness described his meeting with Com
missioner Garfield as follows:
After some remarks about other matters, Mr..
Garfield opened the matter, and IL was dis
cussed for nearly two hours. Mr.. Garfield stated
in a formal way apparently careful Of his Ian
guage, substantially this That the Martin reso-
luton imposed upon him duty Of Investigating
the packing industry; that in order to do this
he must have access TO the books Of the packers.
He said that he particularly anxious that
the investigation should be fair, exhaustive and
thorough, so that the usefulness Of his depart
menL would be shown. He said that he realized
the Discrimination OF business men TO disclose
secret matters Of business but that he had
mapped out a plan.
He said that he spoke for the President and
that, Of course he would have the prOtectiCs
necessary under the law creating his depart
ment. I told him that my clients were in
very delicate position, and that the newspa pers
full OF matter pertaining 70 them I told
him that If the law was valid there was no
doubt he could compel the information ] told
him that If the results OF this submission to his
requirements to be further newspaper
notorety and litigation. / would, OF course, con-
test the law. He said that the letter Of the
law protected my clients
] called his attention TO the question or the
validity Of the law. He answered that his de-
partment must necessarily be separated from
the other departments, particularly the Depart
ment OF Justice, and said that II il were known
that MS department was affiliated With the De-
partment Of Justice people would not give him
any Information. He said that II I conceded
that the law was valid the matter was divided
into three classeS-that 70 which the government
entitled. that which y as Gpubt fuI. and that
then detailed how II would be done his special
agents 10 go 10 one house and begin the investi-
cation.
1 then asked him whether ,- were 10 be pro
teCted In case Of dishonest special agents. He
assured me Of this. and said that We were pro-
tected by the law. the source Of his inf0rma-
ton being secret. I asked him about some Of
this Information getting 10 the newspapers and
even 10 the Department n Justice He told
me 10 have no apprehension on that subject [
then asked what use the President OF the United
states wished 10 make Of the Information. He
answered with emphasis that. % course the
President or "a great nation would not allow any
lninE 10 happen % which any one could take
exception He further said that where figures
and data came from unreasonable sources the,
oath was not necessary but II anything came
up IN regard 10 the oath he would let US know
On his assurance that all information v-ouId
be kept inyiolate lu the Bureau Of Cornors+ lions
l answered some questiors regarding the prices
or cattle and similar matters. We talked some
thing further but ! think that was the SIN
stance or H. / said that ! understood his
asked