New-York tribune., 1910-01-25
STARTED INQUIRY
L4NDIS,S STATEMENT.
Chicago Judge Surprised at
WASHINGTON Neat Action.

,-,,cago Jan. 2a-Judge Kenesaw NJ
,.nsis of the United States District
I-o,,rt. in his charge to the federal grand
,r-v assembled to-day TO investigate the
,e,hods of the so-called Beef Trust, de-
.ysred it was through information fur
n,shed by him that the present proceed
Ing was started
Judge Lands also said that after he had
notified the United States District Attor-
new in Chicago, on January 2 he was
surprised TO see, on January D notices in
tbe newspapers. coming ostensibly from
washington, that the government officials
tbere had ordered the investigation.
II was announced. however. that action
IN the Investigation would be postponed
for a few days until some docket cases
had been considered. 1t was explained
that the present investigation was Of such
importance that it would be better if the
iury had a little time in which to famil-
isrize itself with the routine OF grand
5urv procedure before considering the
evidence TO be submitted in the case After
.Judge Lands had read his charge the jury
proceeded 10 take up some cases OF minor
Importance. The charge follows. in part:
Having in mind the duty of the District
Attorney, ! notified that officer on the 10Th
OF the present month that on your assem-
biing here to-day the court would direct
your attention 10 the SUBJECT OF lhe pres
IT is Source OF profound regret that
,Uo davs later there began widespread
1e1susper publication of matter purport-
ne 70 Come from Washington and express
inS the intention and determination of GER
Tain governmental functionarieS there as
Connection their purpose with respect to
certain individuals residing in this dis
trict . 49, ez.;ou.- .,,a+
there : anything behind the publications
exceDt journalistic enterprise, caution you
10 nav no attention whatever 10 them, as
= y gFill he your duty to conscientiously re-
frain from making any disclosures OF mat
iers transpiring in your jury room.
mace il an individual is indicted he ought
"a have the right OF trial by a jury taken
from atmosphere that has not been
surcharged with feeling against him, and,
IN the second place. il he is not indicted
i IS rot right tnat il should be published
ron tine 10 time that evidence showing
him guilty OF criminal conduct has been
presented TO the grand jury
Various reports Of alleged circumstances
meat industry have come TO me While
the representations set forth in these COM
plants. even if true. do not necessarily
such character as 10 clearly impose upon
me court the duty of directing your atten-
ron 70 The matter. TO the end that the
srbiect may have at your hands the in
vesIigation and consideration its irnpor-
lance requires
hiration in the form OF trusts or otherwise,
or conspiracy in restraint OF trade or COM
nerce among the several states or with
foreign nations, 10 be illegal. and IL Is
rrovided that every person who shall make
sny such contract, or engage in any such
combination or conspiracy. or who shall
combine or conspire with any other per
son or persons TO nonopolize any part OF
such trade or commerce, shall be deemed
guilty. OF q rnisdemeanor.
While you will observe that by this enact
-1ert Congress has prescribed the rule OF
free competition among those engaged in
interstate and international trade and COM
uerce I desire 10 impress upon you that
= Is not within the competency of Con-
eress nor does the act attempt to deal
with trade or commerce which Is wholly
intrastate.
After charging upon the fact that Con-
rress cannot interfere with commerce with
II state, the court continued:
You will perceive that intent is Of the
essence Of this offence; that is TO say,
there must be q conscious purpose on the
vart OF the accused TO suppress competi-
non By cooperation to that end. The law
Goes nor concern itself with mere colncl-
dence Of conduct in the absence of such
lntsrt
Early to-day deputy United States mar
shals were started out with more than
score Of subpanas and .writs to bring be-
fore the grand jury employees and books
8 Of the concerns involved.
Every precau ution was taken 10 keep the
identity Of witnesses secret a large
number Of Secret Service operatives have
apparently been brought here from other
cities and il is believed they will be used
ir serving subpnnas as we'll as supplying
evidence gathered during the investiga-
lion.