The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-07
OF Inspection Contemplated b.
Beveridge Amendment.
WILSON AGAIN HEARD.
Says They Do Only Half the Bus
mess Of the Country.
Are Losing Money on Their
Trade in England.

mittee on agriculture continued its
hearing on the Neill-R Reynolds meat in
spection report today. Thomas e. Will
son, manager for Nelson Morris & Co,
and representing the large Chicago
packing houses, continued his remarks
on the Beverage amendment providing
for meat inspection. Aside from the
objections he had pointed out yesterday,
Mr.. Wilson said the only other serious
objection was the provision placing the
cost of inspection on the packers.
Before discussing this objection Mr..
Wilson was questioned closely by. Rep
resentatives Henry (Conn.l and Haskins
CVt) about tbs sections intervening be-
tween those he found fault with last
night and that regarding the cost of in
spection.
Have you been advised since we ad-
journed yesterday not to make further
objections7" asked Mr.. Haslzins.
NO sir, il so happens that most of
the objections are in the first sections,
replied Mr.. Wilson. AS to cost, Mr..
Wilson said the packers had very SER
ious objections to having this expense
placed on them.
We are now under an expense aggre-
eating 100000 a year for condemna-
lions of animals" he said. Neither the
raisers or producers bear any Of the loss
on condemned stock It all falls on the
packers asserted Mr.. Wilson.
Representative Scott C1an.) suggest
ed that it was generally understood the
packers so controlled the meat market
that they would he able to recoup them
selves for the cost of inspection.
We could not" replied Mr.. Wilson.
The large packers kill only 80 per cent
of the meat supply OF the country and
do not control the market"
Representative Henry suggested that
f7aIfYacf1 n ClxGrG had
placed them In the present position and
inquired why should the packers object
to paying if the government lis to pull
you out of the aole?"
Mr. Wilson objected to this view Of
the case. 1t was not the fault of the
packers. The packers had sent men into
every hamlet of the world to create a
market The packers were willing to
comply with any new requirements, but
they were now losing money on their
English market, but were carrying it
to develop trade.
But. We feel thiss to be an unjust
burden and one we ought not to be
called on to bear he added.
Chairman WadsWorth asked IL any
complaint had ever been made as to
the quality of the goods shipped abroad.
We'll. - replied Mr. Wilson, I could
not say no to that question. Occa-
sionally we have a case OF goods sent
back, but we always try to get hold
u
complaint
What is the result on your foreign
trade Of the present agitation?" asked
Mr.. Wadsworth.
piled the witness. Our foreign de-
Tnand for fresh meats and manufactur-
ed product has been practically cut in
two. Our foreign competitors are all
making the most of this and are get
ting the benefit Of agitation and we
o 70 STANDING the loss -
Naturally" suggested Mr. Wads-
worth, s'if your foreign demand falls
off your purchases of live stock will
be less ?''
II do not see where we are to find
markets If our foreign trade is cut
off, answered Mr.. Wilson.
We'll" continued Mr.. Wordsworth,
you will not have to buy the stock"
mo, but cattle raisers are accustom-
ed to ship their stock to Chicago and
get their money for them. If this
should stop don't see how we are to
avoid a terrible calamity in the west"
responded Mr.. Wilson
IF, he said, the packers are re-
quired to pay for this inspection it
would be a reasonable position for the
packers to take that they would not
buy the stock that has been condemn
ed"
Under the Beveridge amendment, Mr.
Wilson said. it would be possible for
the secretary of agriculture to put an
inspector at the elbow of every work
man and charge the cost to the packer.
Representative Lorimer (Ill.) suggest
ed that the Beveridge amendment
would put out of business thousands
of slaughtereEs doing an interstate
business and would result in creating
a beef trust" in reality.
DR.. Melvin. chief of the bureau of
animal Industry, was asked incidental
" to state the number of government
inspectors in Chicago. He answered n
veterinary. 50 stock examiners and SO
taggers. making 1S1 in all In the
whole service he said there are 7s3.