The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-03
METHODS
OF MEAT POOL
Government Had Several
Letters and kilograms
Relative to Prices

Chicago. Jan. 3-rhe methods
.hich were declared to have been
used by the packers to control the
prices of fresh meats and apportion
the business upon a n-competitive
basis, was further explained today
by Henry Veeder, the second witness
called by the government in the trial
of the ten Chicago packers. The wit
ness produced no documentary evil
.dence, declaring all the records of the
old packers pools had been destroy
ed, so far as he knew.
When confronted with letters sent
out by the packers referring to the
shipment and price of fresh meat
during the period which he said no
pool existed. the witness declined to
deny the genuineness of the docu-
ments During the morning session
the government read several letters
sent out by the combination while
Needer was secretary.
Documentary evidence that the
price of meat was fixed and the busi-
ness apportioned on a non -competi-
tive basis by the packers at their
weekly meetings was introduced by
the government yesterday.
Special Counsel Pierce Butler read
several letters received by w. D.
Miles. manager of the Armour Pack
ing company. Kansas City. in June
1897, in which the amounts Of beef
to be shipped to certain eastern mar
ketS were given and the price to be
charged based on "A margin of so cents
on the uniform test cost estimate used
by the packers was named.
The letters which were obtained
from W. n. Miles, former manager
Of the Armour Packing company. also
fiatly refute the statement of Henry
Needer on the witness stand that no
meeting of the packers to fix prices
and apportion business We're held be-
tween April. 1897, and January, 1898,
when statistical bureau" was main
tanned to compile records of meats
shipped and prices obtained at diff
ferent points. Miles who severed his
connection with the Armour inter
ests in 1909 will. it is said. be one of
the star witnesses for the govern
ment.
One of the letters. dated June 90,
1897, read in part:
Dear Sir: This afternoon it was
agreed that each party will not ship
during the current week in excess
of shipments agreed upon for last
week"
Boston: AT this point it was agreed
that each party in interest will not
ship during the current week in ex-
cess of his proportion of a total ship
ment of 100 cars. basng such pro-
portion on the average shipments to
Boston for the eight weeks ending
that parties in interest would endeav-
or to obtain for the current week
margins of so cents.
pittsburgh: Ii was agreed that
each party in interest would not ship
In excess of ninety per cent of the
average weekly shipments for the
four weeks ending June IL. 1897"
The letter contained directions linn
itirg the total shipments for the week
of June 20. 1897. to 22.277.o23 pounds
of fresh meat of which 100000 went
to Boston and 712.912 to Pittsburgh.
Several similar letters We're introduce
ed by the government and it was
pointed out that they We're all unsign.
ed and in the form Henry Veeder
testified the packers letters were writ
ten.
After Attorney Eutler had question
ed Henry Feeder. secretary of the
packers pools regarding the details
of the combination from May. 1898,
to July /, 1902. when the witness
said the last fresh meat pool dissolv-
ed and he severed his connection with
the packers, tho government attorney
sprang a surprise on the defendants
by reading letters and Offering them
in evidence.
Does the reading of these letters
refresh your memory in regard to an
arrangement at that time covering
the shipment of beef and the fixing
Of the margin price?" asked Attorney
Butler.
mo. although do not question
the genuineness Of these letters" said
the witness. they indicate that If
there was an arrangement it was of
a temporary character"
Were any packers meetings held
between April. 1902. and March,
1908. at which the supply of fresh
meat was discussed?"
mot to my knowledge" replied
the witness.
did you ever know of any pack
ers meetings held on the eighth floor
of the Counselman building during
this period?"
Yes. I believe there were meetings
held there but l am not sure Of the
date"
"Were they in regard to the supply
and price of meat?"
mot in regard to this country.
They had to do with foreign trade
as I remember It,"