The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-27

l lJOZ, Dy Whlcn the government CohtehuS 1t was sought to control the meat in- dustry of the country. were revealed today in the trial of the 10 Chicago packers before United District Judge George A. Carpenter. Contract Read to Jury
 A contract. which was dated May sf, 1909. was read to the jury and offered in evidence by counsel for the goyern- ment. The original agreement was pro duced by Albert H. Veeder. attorney for Swift & Co.,. who was called by the grand jury as its first witness. Attorney Veeder testified that the plans for the merger were abandoned. and that in March. 1903. the National Packing company was organized to op- crate certain independent packing conl- panies purchased with a view to includ- ing them in the big company
 Under the terms of the agreement tho three large packing corporations and their subsidiary companies. together with recently acquired independent companies were to be merged into one concern. Amour. Swift and Morris were to receive bonds and preferred stock of the new company in payment for value of their tangible property h addition to this the promoters were to receive $25,000,000 worth of the new company's stock for intangible liop- erty and a large block of common stock for their good will, this amount to be fixed by the earnings of the diff ferent plants during the first year of the new merger
 The promoters planned to borrow $49oOO.OOO to finance the corporation. The appraised tabulation of Armour, Swift, Morris and their subsidiary conf- panies was given at s1S0,0OO GOO Each of the three promoters deposited s1,- 0Oo0o0 with a Chicago bank as an evidence of good faith, but they were compelled to drop the plan because of the failure of certain New York cap italists to furnish the funds needed.
 Defense Unsuccessful
 Previous1to veeaers testimony the ste4effsp made .l.l ssfe.4coessfai attempt to have excluded from the government's case all transactions prior to 1905 on the ground that the immunity plea. which freed the packers when thuy were indicted seven years ago, should apply to that period. Judge Caroen- ter, while reserving his decision to giVe-s the government time 10 reply, injl- cated that he would deny the motion. Veeder admitted that the packers had {, some sort of an organization which met every Tuesday afternoon in the CoGn- selman building. Chicago, on the same floor with his law office and that his son, Henry Needer, acted as secretary in 1900, 1901 and 1902.
 He did not know the name of the asso- citation as it was not on the door of the office. and he did not know what pusi- ness was transacted at the meetings
 The government contends that 1t was at these meetings that the price of meat was fixed and plans discussed for the sup pyession of competition.
 Immunity Plea Revived
 When the meat packers trial was re- sumed today, Attorney John $. Miller in behalf of the packers, created a surprise by reviving the immunity plea success fully used by the packers several years ago when they were prosecuted by the government.
 Counsel contended that the immunity plea applied to all of the 10 defendants who testified before the Garfield investi- sating commission.
 Counsel for the government contested the motion on the ground that the court had already passed on the question m ruling against the plea in abatement. Judge Carpenter reserved decision on the motion and directed the government to proceed with it's case.
 Albert H. Veeder, attorney for Swift x Co was the first witness
 Swift Organized in 1885
 Attorney Veeder said he planned the organization of Swift X O. in 1SSo, had been the corporations counsel ever since, and that on numerous occasions he served as a director of Swift X Go. and it's sub sdiaryN companies.
 Witness said he assisted in the organ ization of the National Packing company March lS 1903, and served as a director for 50 days. Later he acted as gen. eral counsel for the corporation for a year He said Swift. Armour x Morris owned the stock of the National Packing company
 MT. Veeder said he had been identified with the packing industry since 1874. He came to Chicago in 1880, he testified, and four years later became attorney for the late Gustavus F. Swift
 What was the business of your son, Henry Veeder in 1902" inquired the court through counsel for the government.
 He was acting secretary of some sort of an association which had offices on the sixth floor of the Counselman building of this city," replied witness.
 His offices were in the same building with yours: there was no name on ths doar?r asked Counsel Pierce Butler. "Yes, sir
 What was the name of the associa- tion?" asked MT. Pierce Butler. q don't think ever learned it." replied the witness
 Did you know any of the members?' "I knew some of the men who went in the offices of the association was the reply.
 tHow often did they meet?' About once week, l believe. l think it was on Tuesday afternoons
 '.Who did you see go into the officer" well, I saw Gustavus F. Swift, Jesso P Lyman, Arthur Meeker, Ira Morris, Michael Cudahy, W. D. Miles of Armour X Co. Louis F. Swift, Edward F. Swift. Charles H. Swift, Francis F. Fowler, Thomas Corners and others" E Did you ever see J. ogden Armour so | in there?r
 NO" How about Edward Tilden?Y 'T never saw him go in there.'' Did you ever see Ferdinand Sulzber. ger go in there?'
 ..Yes."