The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-03-28
MEAT PACKERS ARE
. SET FREE BY JURY
Declared "Not Guilty of Re-
straint of Trade.
TRUST" CHARGE IS REFUTED
Twenty Hour Debate Ensues and
Three Ballots Are Taken Before
e. Fate of Accused Is De-
ta clded Upon.


Chicago, March 27.-The ten-year
fight of the government against ten
Chicago packers on charge of main
tanning a combine came to a close in
Federal Judge Carpenters court with
a jury verdict of mot guilty"
The jury spent twenty hours in de-
iiberating on the case. Three ballots
were taken. The first, Immediately
after the jury had retired, stood eight
to four for acQuittal; the second was
ten to two for acquittal; the third
was unanimous.
The defendants were:
]. Ogden Armour. president Of Ar
mour & Co.; Arthur Meeker, on .execu-
tive committee for Armour & Co.;
Thomas J. Connors, on executive COM
mittee for Armour & Co.; Edward
Morris, president Morris & Co; Louis
II. Heyman, beef manager for Morris
& Co; Louis F. Swift, president OF
Swift & Co.; Edward F. Swift. vice.
president of Swift & Co.; Charles
Swift, second vice-president for Swift
& Co; Francis A. Fowler, beef man
ager for Swift & Co; Edward Tilden.
president Of the National Packing
company.
The solemn filing of the tired and
wan jury into Judge Carpenters
courtroom was a quiet yet dramatic
ending to one of the most famous OF
the governments prosecutions under
the Sherman antitrust law
Still Two indictments.
There still remain two indictments
against the packers. One OF these
charges conspiracy to restrain inter
state trade, and being similar to the
one on which they were found not
guilty, is practically dead. The other
Indictment charges a monopoly. Dis
trict Attorney Wilkerson would not
say what action would be taken in
regard to this.
OF the ten packers on trial, but two,
Edward Tilden and Thomas j. Con-
nors, were in court when the verdict
, was read. J. Ogden Armour arrived
shortly after the courtroom had been
cleared. The courtroom and corridors
were crowded with a curious crowd.
There were many women among
them. Many of them had been faith
full attendants at the taking of testi-
mony. and the closing arguments Of
the attorneys of both sides, which
! were replete with Oratory.
After the iurymen had received
sums ranging from $500 to 1911, the
difference being in mileage, they
were taken in motor cars to the stock
yards, where they were the guests Of
the packers at luncheon. Then
they hurried to their homes.
Wilkerson Declines TO Talk.
District Attorney Wilkerson de-
clined TO make a statement on the
outcome of the trial, and said sim
ply: 81 have nothing further to say
tban that the evidence speaks for It.
self"
Attorney John S. Miller, chief coun-
sci for the defendants, said:
The verdict of not guilty was eX-
pected: none other could be returned
in keeping with the evidence which
had been presented. At no time was
serious consideration to be given a
verdict of guilty on a criminal charge
in such matter as this.
The government ought to be sat
isied also. This ought to put an end
to the attacks on this industry. The
packers should be left alone to their
affairs and allowed to pursue theil
course in the development of the
great meat industry. We hope this
will be the case and feel that the
government will not harass this enter.
prise any further"