New-York tribune., 1910-01-28
THE MEAT INQUIRY
FOUR DISSATISFIED
JURORS CAUSED 1T.
IrtiTl0tion Of Sudden apathy
in 1908 InOestigation-Wade
Ellis Denies Friction.

Chicago. Jan 21-Four members Of
the federal grand jury that investigated
the so-caIIed Beef Trust in 1908 forced
TIE government 10 start the present in
quiry. according TO Z report current to-
dsy. Wade Ellis. Assistant 10 the
attornev General, who spent to-day in
Chicago. denied that there was any
friction among government officers con-
cerning the present investigation. and
also stated that District Attorney Ed
Win u. Sims would remain in charge.
Concerning the inception OF the pres
-7r action IT IS said that there would
have been none had the four dfssatis-
fed jurors not sought the aid of Judge
Landis- This quartet, it Is said. was
wiling to indict packers in December,
1905 and finally became Sc indignant
over The increasing price Of meat that
they informed Judge Lands that they
thought II was time for the government
u begin another action.
The report OF the four jurors alleged
that there was sufficient evidence slib-
nlirted 10 the 1893 grand jury TO war
rant true bills. and that IN the face
Of this there was d sudden apathy on
the part Of those behind the prosecution
They also said that if the investiga-
ton was not Immediately renewed they
would make q joint statement to the
public setting forth their theory 'of why
the prosecution had been dropped.
40 OUTSIDE INFLUENCES.
Following the jurors complaint Judge
lands Is said 70 have made an investi-
CATION that resulted in the present action
Judge lands. IL is said is in touch with
tie evidence submitted 70 the 1908 grand
jury. and Is determined that the present
action shall not be nullified by any infiu
ence arising outside the grand jury room
In his statement concerning the pur-
pose OF his visit and the scope Of the
present Investigation Mr.. Ellis said:
7 have spent the day in d conference
with the United States District Attorney
snd MS assistants, and IN a call upon
Judge Lands. There is nc friction
whatever IN the beef inquiry.
The Department Of Justice has been
a. work for I'VE or six months investi-
eating The development Of the fresh meat
Industry since the last action by the gov
ernmeuL and especially the relation Of
ne situation 70 the prices Of food prod
acts win view 70 ascertaining whether
cause of action now exists The inves-
ngation VIII be conducted under the
antitrust statute, and may be either
CIVIL or criminal
The proceedings now in progress be-
lore the federal grand jury OF this dis
Tci are ID line with It's investigation.
Ofoinsrlly cases presented 10 the grand
'arE for trial in the courts are wholly
within the routine duties Of the United
olsies Attorney. Where, however, the
subject of inquiry affects the country al
afge, and especially where il involves
me complaint OF a violation Of the anti
H1st statute having a more than local
ecI the Attorney General exercises
fpeoiai supervision. He is particularly
aaigec by the law with the enforce
-eht o, This act. and my duties in this
'shat ar also fixed by statute under
1ls dir, crion.
Or SINS WILL HEAD INQUIRY.
here viii be no change in the pres
lhstance- AR Sims, in whom the
l1'ffe- General has entire confidence,
- present his testimony 10 the grand
After this testimony is in I have
o'lDf The grand jury viii do its fun
both ~ the government and 10