Omaha daily bee., 1910-01-24
ECONOMY CRY
PRICE FIGHTERS
Battle Against High Charges Sounds
Note of Warning to All on
Expenditures.
MOVEMENT GREATEST IN WEST
East Slower to Take Up Gage Against
Packers.
MIDDLEMFN ARE HARDEST HIT
Not So Well Equipped as Big Com
panies for Contest.
INVESTIGATION BEGINS TODAY
Chicago Packers SAY They welcome
Look in at MethOds-Grand
Jury Promises TO he
Thorough.

CHICAGO Jan. Revolutions have
been started by less than the American
people are suffering now" says Senator
Joseph L. Bristow Of Kansas Meat foots
up to quarter OF the average household
expenses and It ought TO be cheaper today
instead Of dearer than IL was twenty five
years ago. because Of the greater economy
In its preparation for sale. When / was
boy, 20 per cent OF the carcass went to
waste. Now nothing goes to waste, not
even the blood"
Senator Brlstow's words crystalize the
sentiment of protest in ali parts OF the
country against the higher cost OF living
Thus far the movement. which first took
form in an actual boycott at Cleveland
has met with the most of success in the
west. The east has been slower to fol-
low. influenced perhaps by widespread
among small dealers and in the labor un-
ions that universal boycott, though ef-
fective as protest, would actually play
into the hands of the packers who with
their control Of cold storage houses and
refrigerator lines, could carry their pro-
duct through a prolonged boycott whereas
even thirty days cessation of trade would
put the small independents out of busi-
ness.
Necessity for Economy.
What the scattered and sporadic boy
colts all over the country and the universal
protest have done, however. is to focus the
attention Of the nation upon the necessity
for economy. The most serious warnings
have been sounded on this subject by
economists, statisticans and business men
without bringing the truth home to the
people as has their sudden realization Of it's
application In one particular
President w. C. Brown Of the New York
Central lines said in recent address: THE
most important cloud upon the political or
economic horizon IS the steady, relentless
increase In price Of eyerything that goes to
inakeNup the, cost bf llvtng. ~ 49,
Prof E. r.. A. Seligham OF Columbia saysS
THE situation is really so serious that the
government should awaken to it." -
James J. Hill has said that unless more
economical methods OF farming are devised
the nation in another generation will be
importing Its food supplies Such men as
these hope that the present national
awakening will not exhaust itself on ono
particular phase of national peril.
Against public clamor the packer reply
that high prices for meats are attributable
to the high price of corn and advocate that
the poor be educated to eat cheaper cuts
These cuts are just good and more
wholesome II properly cooked" says Harold
Swift of Swift and Company. Prices are
very high but there is every indication that
they will go higher"
Actual consumption Of meat IL reported by
retail dealers everywhere to have dropped
sharply.
Investigators Are Ready.
With the heads Of ali the big packing
houses gathered here and attorneys arrayed
IN oh aId ha
ton of the dressed meat industry is ex-
pected to be ready for action when the
federal grand jury convenes tomorrow
Whether the price Of meat Is Artficially
kept high is to be the contention OF a battle
which may last for weeks.
Subpoenas have been prepared to bring
before the jury witnesses from all depart
ments Of the packing house business, and
1t is promised this inquiry will surpass
all former attempts for thoroughness.
The packers are ready for combat "AI
I've got to say" said j. Ogden Armour
is that such cooperation as may exist
among the packers is a benefit TO the
public rather than the reverse
Three lines OF action have been outlined
These are:
Criminal prosecution for alleged viola
tion Of the antitrust law.
SlNh dClOn 'IOf the ulSSOluIlOn OF the
National Packing company.
Contempt proceedings for alleged viola
tion of Judge Grosscup's injunction re-
straining packers from fixing prices in
restraint of trade.
Practically all OF the evidence gathered
by the government in a previous investi-
cation, 1t is said. has been abandoned and
entirely new data, obtained during several
months, will be utilized
Much interest has been taken here in the
appointment OF Charles b. Morrison, spe-
cial assistant TO the attorney general to
the position Of federal master in eiiahcery
Mr. Morrison has been made, thoroughly
familiar with the beef situation. A master
in chnncery will be selected by the court
to take evidence If District Attorney Sims
files civil proceedings against the packers
The question has been asked. viii Mr.
Morrison be selected TO take the evidence?
1t is said the packers will oppose him on
the ground that his previous experience