Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-03-22
BEEF PACKERS GO FREE
ON PLEA OF IMMUNITY
Federal Judge Declares The Gov.
eminent Can Not Prosecute
Greedy Trust nagnalss.
VICTORY FOR THE MON0PolIsTs
Case Never Even Went to the Jury
as the Judge Acquitted the Multi
MilIionaires by His Own Mandate
Money power Supreme SO Verde.
Says.
my Associated Press.)

CHICAGO. March 2i.-All the mea.
Packers, who were indicted hy il fed.
cral grand jury last summer on
charges Of conspiracy in restraint nf
interstate trade and commerce today
were granted immunity from Grim.
inal prosecution under the hdict-
ment
While the individuals are 10 go
free. The indictments found against
The corporations of which some oi
ihc indicted packers are members an,
Others are employees are TO stand.
The jury returned verdict in accord
ance with tho directions Of the
court.
Judge Humphrey Favors Magnates.
a decision 10 the effect was hand.
ed down ;his afternoon by Judge J,
Otis Humphrey IN the United States
district court. The court reviewed
he case in MI its bearings and all
the essential facts Which had been
brought on and concluded MS fol-
lows:
immunity pleas iiIeh-1Y tha fdeitnds
ants will be sustained rs to the in
divid,ials and denied to the corpora
lions AMI the jury will find in favor
OF the government rs far as the cor.
porations arc concerned aud against
the government ms far as The indi-
ridunlS arc conccrnod."
GIee in the Court Room.
During the rendition OF The dc.
cision the court was crowded by dc.
PENDANTS and numerous spectators.
Edward Morris and Edward swift
were in court. and both smiled hap
PLY when the decision was an.
nouEced. j. Ogden Armour was not
present, but men prominent in the,
Elant ii Armour Il Co. who were
under Indictment were there ani
their joy was great.
When The Judge announced ina:
the indictments would not lie against
Them, the defendants crowded To.
Getlcr and shool, hands.
More Delay in store.
Immediately following The dismissal
Of the jury District Attorney NIorri-
son raised The question or The date
for the trial for the corporations
lie asked hat the case be set fer
rial and that il commence within
two weeks. This met with Il storm
OF protest from the attorneys of he
packers, who insisted that they would
he unable TO prepare for the case
before fall pleading the number OF
witnesses which it would be neccs.
sary TO bring to Chicago The strain
Of the present trial and various other
reasons
After some discussion Judge Hum
phrey directed that the lawyers agree
among themselves on date and no
lily him OF their decision next week.
II Is expected that the total number
of witnesses in this trial when ii be-
Gins will number Il least 1000.
Judge Humphrey in his decision
says:
Indicted Under Sherman Act.
1.-THE defendants arc indicted I'M.
der the Sherman act, charged with
conspiracy in restraint of trade.
They have pleaded that as to them
That act should be suspended he
cause they were compelled TO FUR
nsli evidence concerning the matter
in the indictment and under the law
such furnishing of evidence gives
them immunity.
THE act is substitute for one
Of tho most cherished rights OF the
American citizen, which is the right
TO remain silent when questioned
about any subject, the answer to
which might incriminate him. 1t is
conceded that the privilege amend.
mont to the constitution cannot be
taken from the citizen Without Civ
i . u