The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-01-24
CLOSEST Of SECRETS
Barred IN BEEF CASE
National Packing Co. Accountant
Compelled to Unlock Pad
locked Book.
SHOWS NAMES IN MERGER
Companies Absorbed Since 1903 Identi-
fled for First Time. Under
Courts Command.

CHICAGO, Jan. 23.-The most decisive
blow dealt the cause of the ten indicted
packers on trial in the United States Court
here came to-day when Judge Carpenter
ruled that anything relating To the' inner
most secrets of the National Packing Com
pany was pertinent to the Government =
case against the packers and therefore
admissible in evidence. The ruling came
after an effort 10 withhold certain date
said to be contained in the books of the
National Packing Company This data
concerned the absorption of companies
over which the National had gained con
troll subsequent to it's formation in 1903
From testimony given it was shown
that certain smaller interests in the meat
packing business had come within the
control of the Matte Packing Com
pany. and some Of them were acquired
| subsequent TO 1907, at which time The
indictment under which the packers
are now being tried becomes valid and
beyond outlawing by the statute Of limi-
tations.
For two davs W. f.. Weber chief ac-
countant for the National Packing Com
pany, has been on the witness stand. Since
taking ths stand he has been delving into
| figures regarding costs margins ship
ments. &c. United States District At
| tornev Wilkerson wante ed 10 show ,ha,
the National Packing Company failed
to make any credits for hides during
period in winch no credits for that hv-
product were allowed 10y two of the hig
packing firms whose masters are named
among those indicted.
without warning he fired at the W witnesS
question in which he sought to obtain
tn. Identities of companies absorbed
10y the National Packing Company since
thoe. enumerated W hen th. company
was organized IN lsn3 Instantly there
was a chorus ot oh jet ions Nearly all IN"
attorneys on the side of he defeuc" We're
heard United States District Attorney
Wilkerson rested ON his oars
Judge G-org" Carpenter listened to
counsel and hen said
Every item in the history Of he Nat
ional Packing Company from he day of
It's birth 1893, to m" period Of the iu-
dictm IN September. 1910. " ~ be con
sider-d competent evidence. W" Will
proceed
Witness Weber then produced a kew
from his pocke,. "A book evidently hold
ing the secrets of secrets of the National
Packing COMPANY was lifted 10 hIs desk
an OnnouS look on its edges was opened
and the covers We're laid back to expose
the alleged secrets which the Govern
meni'- attorneys so much cher -hed
Judge Carpenter studied "A few pages
and passed the book ON 10 the witness
and WilHeyson The latter then brought
from IN" witness th. names of other
firms than those already gwen in evidence
a. composing The National Packing
COMPANY
II showed that som. Of those acquired
We're still N operation. whil. others had
ceased Ia ha active IN tn. meat world
one Of The COnDanies absorbed was taken
bv ttie aCquirement Of tn. controlling
interest OF ITS stock The statements
brought ont IN tins examination sent the
attorney and witness into relation of
seven figures when enlighteniug the Iurv
~ 10 the purchase price Of these COM
panl"S ON III" whole. some S. ,OOu. 900
was involved ~ III. deals
The territory ~ which these absoi bed
companies operated runs from the west
-ln slope Of the Rocky Mountains 10 the
stand country of New England Among
the COMPANIES absorbed or partly 50. to
| the degree that u gave ne National Pack
| ing Company tn. domination Of their
| ahair~. are the nited Dressed Beet Com
| p1nv of New YORK.. the New York ButCh-
erS Dressed Meat Company. the Western
| Packing Company of Denver. Col. the
colorado Packing ana Provision Com
pauy. the Ruddv Bros. Company of Kan
| sas CITY, the Plankington Packing Com
/ btllN w fliNhllh lIlf l'pNtI l'I'SSf'u
| Beef Company the North American Pro-
! vision Company and 'the tontinenta a |
! Packing Company of Bloomington, III.
! The last named and the Ruddy Bros Com
rany are said 10 lie out of business now
as meat factors.
II has been the effort of the Government
/, show TN" remarkable coincidence that
, "a. elimination of credits for hides was
instituted simIlt aneously 10y tn. National
| Packing Company. Armour 4 Co. and
Morris < CO.. and further that such
credits Were resumed at Approximately
| IN. sam. period by these firms
After bringing out these facts the Gov =
rrnment began to further its case 10y try
| ing to show absorption or elimination
of smaller companies. and in some cases
! both
| II is the Government apparent effort
/ 10 show primarily thar the eliminat ION
Of credits for the byproducts from the
! total Yield of a head Of cattle materially
| Increased the dressed beef pound value
Of the animal. And this advanced value
was arbitrary and was what the CON
sumner had 10 pay
BY the opening of the new line Of cvi-
/ dence he Government wants { o show hat
elimination by absorption of minor pro-
ducers sent meat prices awaiting to even
! higher prices Mr. Weber will resume
the stand tomorrow morning
! The decision of Judge Carpenter to- day
is said TO be by far the most favorable
| pOint ma1a bV the loyarpmpDts ny =