The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-20

. SHltaSc, III. DcCeIlDer lS.--lne Jury
which is TO try the ten Chicago pack
ers who are charged with violation of
the criminal provisions of the Sher-
man antitrust law was completed to-
day. and the opening statement OF
United States District Attorney James
ii. Wnkerson was begun.
In outlining the case, Mr.. Wilkcrson
in speech replete with bitter invec-
tive. declared that the defendants
through the National Packing Company
hud continued the old pooling practices
of the packers and had actually put
into effect the most powerful engine
for the suppression OF competition
ever devised in the Industrial world.
Judge Carpenter had scarcely ceased
directing the summoning of new
panel for veniremen when counsel foI
the indicted packers declared they were
satisfied with the twelve men In the
box. The government attorneys afau
were content and before tho noon ad.
tournment the oath was administered
to the jury and the decks were cleared
for the actual beginning OF the legal
battle, which is looked upon as one
of the most momentous of the many
In which the Federal power has FLASHED
with the corporations.
When Mr.. Wilkerson began his open
ing address all the defendants were in
ttc COuTlIODil, ana CdCn ISleneu IN
tcntly rs step by step the intent OF
the prosecution and the facts upon
which 1t Is based were given.
Going into great detail In his decla
ration of various phases of the deeds
which he declared marked n conspir-
acy TO violate the law OF the land
Mr.. Wilkerson laid special emphasis
upon the following points:
Charges Against Packers
That the combination represented by
the ten Chicago meat packers under
Indictment Is the most powerful en-
CINE or system for suppression of com
petition and the fixing of prices ever
known in the history of the Industrial
world.
That the system Is so ingeniously de-
vised and SO closely guarded that the
men in the lower grades of employ
ment are made to believe that the cor
porations In iii combination are actual
compe titors.
That the indicted packers or their
predecessors have dominated the meat
industry OF the country and fixed prices
since 1880.
That the real purpose and desire OF
tho National Packing Company. which
was organized by members of the COM
bination March is. 9o3. is TO continue
the work accomplished by the old
pool
That the key to the system is the
uniform method used by the members
in figuring the test cost OF the pro-
duct.
That this test cost. arrived at by
adding the killing charge to the price
OF cattle on the hoof and deducting
allowances for hide and fat, Is in ex-
cess OF the real cost. and gives the
packers a larger margin Of profit than
their own figures indicate
That the country was divided under
the old pooling system into different
divisions, and each member of the pool
allotted n certain percentage of the
business. and that a similar system is
still in existence
That n system of fortcits was paid
to members who failed to get their
percentages OF the business dividends.
and these forfcits were in the nature
of fines on those members who en-
ceeded their allotment.
That formerly the representatives OF
the combination met every Tuesday in
the Office OF Chicago lawyer and fixed
the prices OF meat.
That since the organization of the
National Packing Company the direc-
tors of that organization held meetings
at which the price OF the product is
fixed.
That specially Revised code OF
trade terms was used at these meet
inEs, where prices were made.
No other Conclusion.
The evidence which Will be pre-
snnted." said Mr.. Wilksrson, will show
that no. other conclusion can be reached
than that the National Packing Com
pany was used for the purpose of con-
tinping the operations OF the old pool,
and for that alone"
Mr.. Wiikersoh ridiouled tho claim
which he anticipated the defep SO would
make that the National Packing Com
pany was an outgrowth of an attempt
10 organize ''benevolent nlonopoiy."7
! The district attorney. had not. con-
cluded when court adjourned fors the
day He is:5expected TO finish sto-mor-
row morning.