The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-01-05
GOVERNMENT TO
LOOK AT BOOKS
Paves Way to Deeper Probe
Into Packers Affairs.
PAPER SHOWS PRICE FIXING

Prosecution 10 Prepared, " Neces-
sary, to Produce Former Superin-
tendent For Armour G. Company
on Stand to Show Operations Of
Alleged Beef Trust-Referee May
Be Named to Take Charge OF
Books While Being inspected.
Chicago, Jan. 3.--There we're many
developments OF sensational nature
In connection with the trial of the
10 indicted packers In the United
States court here. Henry veeder.
Junior member OF the legal firm OF
Albert veeder & Son, counsel for one
OF the big packing firms was under
fire all day when the federal at
torneys shot questions at him. Near
ly every one was pertinent to the
governments claim that a pool ex.
listed whereby the prices OF fresh
meats were dominated by the pack
ers in violation OF the Sherman anti
trust law.
Veeder occupied an unique posi-
ton. He was secretary of The orig
hal and namelesB association, in
which the government claims prices
OF meats were made. He also is an
attorney for one of the firms whose
members ere now on trial. He also
Is witness for the government.
For the first time the name of VIII
liam d. Miles went into the records
of the case. Miles formerly was su.
perintendent OF the Armour Packing
company. AS such, the government
claims, he was an emissary at the
meetings OF the old pool, where 1t Is
alleged prices were agreed on by the
packing interests. Miles, 1t is ru-
mored, is and has been for long
time a special agent Of the govern
ment In building It's case against the
packers.
In view OF this fact, II is believed
the Veeders have testified freely on
matters pertaining to the case. Miles
may not be called as a witness later,
1t Is said, because his presence on
the stand may not be necessary IL all
the facts he can tell are brought out
by other witnesses. He was in court
for the first time
Butter Conducts Examination.
Special Attorney Pierce Butler con-
Quoted the examination of Henry
Veeder. He drew from the witness
that there were two meeting halls In
the Councilman building. The one
heretofore not mentioned Ia a suite
Of rooms on the eighth floor OF that
big Office building. Attorney Butler
also offered in evidence a letter writ
ten on typewriter, and on fiimsy
copy, which was read to the jury
This letter IL said TO be a copy Of
one written by the old nameless as
sociation to different firms In the
alleged pool.
For the first time margin" was
expressed In figures. That was 80
cents per hundred.
The government contends that this
margin was the figure added per hun
dredweight to the test cost price
known to ali agents OF the packers
In the respective districts. The test
cost price being known. 1t meant
only to add or subtract that margin,
and the agents then would nave the
selling price common to all houses
representing the packers.
Interest In the case was whetted to
the keen edge when the attorneys
for the two sides met in the cham.
bers Of Judge Carpenter and tried to
arrange some agreement whereby
the books OF the National Packing
company and those OF other firms in
terested could be examined by the
government. Many suggestions were
made II is likely that the books
desired will be displayed in the pres,
ence OF some dislnterested referee
rather than be turned over entirely