The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-03-28
GIVE REASON FOR
PACKERS VERDICT
Jurors Tell Why They Voted
Not Guilty" on Monop-
oily Charge.
tNat,onai News Association,

(NAUonal News Association)
CHICAGO. March 2s.-The reasons
stated by the Jurors for their verdict
OF mot guilty" on tho monopoly charg-
% against the ten Chicago meat
packers were simplyAthat the evidence
had shown that the packers had not
violated the law.
Judson q. Harvey, of Wilton Gen.
ter, foreman Of the jury, q grocer,
said: I'VE obeyed the. courts instruc-
tons to disregard the high cost Of liv.
Ing problem. the question Of small pro-
fits to the packers and their wealth.
We decided the case solely upon the
evidence"
II decided in accordance with my
conscience and best judgment" said
Adam 8. Glow, OF Plainfield, a farmer.
"There certainly was q whole lot said
about few facts. But none,of US could
find that the defendants could be con-
ivicted on such evidence"
There was no one thing upon
which we hinged the verdict" said
did not believe the packers had vio-
lated the law and that was ALL
The electric effect of the verdict in
clearing away the cloud of misunder-
standing and the resulting prejudice
was seen In the cordial gOod-fellow.
ship which was shown by the defend
ants, the attorneys for the govern
ment and the defense, the jurors and
Judge Carpenter when the formal Or
der had been entered and the terrific
tension OF the long trial was ended. J.
Ogden Armour met United States Dis.
trict Attorney, James II. Wilkerson. in
the hall and the hand shake with
which they mutually agreed that
there was no hard feeling" disclosed
how completely the verdict had clear.
ed the air among the men closest to
the situation which was presented in
facts and figures to the patient jury.
intelligent a jury as could have been
desired. The overwhelming mass OF
Intricate figures and their relations to
the cost OF meat to the public had
been given the closest study and the
verdict was accepted as decisive
ivindication of the business methods
of the big Chicago packers.
In general Judgment has been sus-
pended among business men awaiting
the jury's decision and the acquittal
lifted q great burden OF depression
and foreboding not only from the
shoulders of the packers themselves
but from those Of all men prominent
In business In Chicago. James B. For.
gan, president OF the First National
bank, said: THE verdict clears the
skies of . cloud which has hung over
the city's leading enterprise. The pack.
ing industry has 80 important part
In Chicago trade and it's activities are
20 inter.related with other lines Of
business that Chicago. as q whole will
benefit from the vindica&ion by the
jury"
A statement issued by Louis F.
Swift, after the verdict was announced
expressed regret that the public had
mot the same opportunity as the jury
lof learning the detailed facts of the
packing business. Much Interesting
ievidenceshas been produced during the
trial ~ volume of sales and profits"
mr.. Swift said. Il want to emphasize
the difference between percentage Of
profits on sales and percentage Of
earnings on capital. The public's in
terest lies in the profit made OH sale.
the amount charged. as one might say
for service rendered.
I'm our case we made a profit dur
ing 1911. of less than 2l1 cents on each
dollar Of saAes. a smaller profit than