The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-01-02


Limitations Applies Does Not Deter
Government From Using Evidence.
Chicago, Dec. 30.-Wben the hear.
ing OF the 10 indicted packers was
resumed In Judge Carpenters branch
of the federal district court, Henry
Needer, junior member of the law
firm of Arthur II. Veeder & Son,
appeared as the star witness for
the government. He is the son OF
Albert II. Veeder, trust builder and
corporation attorney, whose evidence
during his four days session on the
witness stand startled the public as
he related the story surrounding the
formation of the National Packing
company.
The witness demonstrated that he
has n remarkable memory for facts
and details. The ready manner in
which he answered the questions put
20 him would seem to indicate that
he had fully rehearsed his part. I'm
der the rapid fire Of questions by At
eorney Pierce Butler, representing
the government, the witness unfolded
the story of how he had been secre-
'tary or reorganization that had no
name. This institution, the govern
ment will try to show, was the insti-
tuition primarily organized to control
the prices OF fresh meat. The origin
OF that alleged ring was in 1893. The
fact that II has for more than
dozen years been out of existence
did not dull the memory OF the wit
ness. He said he was secretary OF
the institution and that the expense
of maintaining 1t was met by firms,
ssome OF whose members are now on
trial. He also stated that he knew
certain sections of the United States
by letters, the letters referring to
territory. These sections, he said,
were as follows:
How Territory Was Divided.
Territory A-north of the Ohio riv-
er. east of the Mississippi, including
also the state of West Virginia, with
the exception of Illinois.
Territory y = the southeastern
states. i
Territory Cook, county, Illinois,
anciudiBg the city of Chicago
Territory D-Illinois and Iowa, ex-
Nciuding Council Bluffs and Cook coun-
ty and taking in addition the city OF
st Louis.
Territory E-the state OF Colorado.
After these statements Attorney
naaAla hn yh.,
hhe persons Interested in the asso.
sciation" that had no name. lie said
they were in the beginning Armour
e. Company. designated as "A"; Ar
mour Packing company, designated
ms "B"; Cudahy a. Company. desig-
mated as "C"; @. II. Hammond Pack
dag company, designated as "D';
81. Louis Dressed Beef and Provision
company, designated as e.; Morris
N Company. designated as "F"'; Swift
d Company, designated as CO..
This system waa In vogue until the
iSehwarzschild & Sulzberger com
lpany came into the concern and were
designated as "G". Swift 4 Com
pany then became "H", surrendermg
dheir title OF CO. to the newcomer.
The recapitulations OF weekly bust.
ness were sent out Monday to the
various interests that supported the
''association." The following day
aheir representatives met and allot.
tod the amount each company should
txend out In It's next weekly ship
nents. Fines were passed upon
ahose who overshlpped or undershlp.
Ded the agreement. The expense of
running the Association" was pro.
rated according to the interests In
aerritory "A" OF the different compa-
mics named
Readjustments Were Made.
This condition obtained from 1893
10 1896. Then there was some read
5,nstnent TO the amounts paid by the
different firms that got his report
ana whose representatives met In
Hhe entire sixth floor office that was
aot used for Storage or other things
That he knew of.
The statements OF the witness In.
nicate how thoroughly the govern
Sncnt set out to make lts case. Even
III 1t was admitted that the prices of
meat were controlled by pool at
sAat time, ofrense would be cutlawed
~ the statute OF limitations. The
k0vernment. apparently, is trying to
8how that the same condition or one
similar existed up to 1907, which will
@ring cirenses after that time within
the period OF the indictment returned
an 1910.
Being asked where he got his mail.
Ms. Veeder said that they had post
Office box for some mall. This box
promises to become famous. II was
no. 2l1. and probably hereafter viii
be designated as such. The govern
ment made no effort TO ask about the
regulation OF prices; this is to he
brought up later
When court convened the question
OF the admissibillty of the Kenwood
oomDany's affairs was taken up Al.
tor9ey Butler argued In Its favor.