The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-04-04
ACCUSE PACKERS OF
FORCING PRICES UP
Stock Men In Washington to
Demand Sweeping Investi-
cation by U. S.
Continued from First Page.)

Of hides. the advance being conserve
lively stated by Mr.. Mcclure at 80 Id
per cent.
In the face of all this. the prices Of
1--we stock have gone down.
Former Gov. Walter r. Stubs. OF
Kansas. who Ia among the leaders OF
the movement for an investigation. de-
clared that In october. 1915. there was a
drop OF N.2S Der hundredweiRht In two
doys. iust at the time when the stock
YVES being rushed to market. and that
In all an average fail OF 81 in the price
took place in this period.
There were violent fluctuations in the
market. which he insisted had never
found reflection in the price of meat
products.
On the other hand. as soon as the fall
marketing was well advanced at these
low prices. prices OF meats were ad-
vanced 80 much that on some varieties
OF bacon they have gone up as much as
cents per pound in the last fortnight.
Mr.. Fisher and his principals agree
that live stock raisers are discouraged
over the situation. and are more and
more disposed to discontinue raising
meats. Thew pointed out that under
present conditions this IL a particularly
DANGEROUS condition because the high
price OF grain tends to tempt farmers
away from the production Of stock and
into growing more grain. particularly
wheat
Last year. they pointed out. this coun-
try produced the largest crop OF wheat
In Its history, and this year Il is ex-
pected to see even that record broken.
These gentlemen express the fear that
unless something h done 20 stabalize the
stock-producing industry, the country
will presently find itself with a huge
over-production OF wheat, for which, as
soon as the war ends. prices will go
down rapidlv. while there will be insult
flcent supply OF meats.
Wants All the Facts.
1--WE do not pretend 20 know the In
side of thiV business" said Mr.. Fisher.
I'VE are anxious first OF all 10 get all
the facts gathered together. The office
Of markets at the Department of Ag-
riculture has been doing some useful
sion can do more"
The representatives of the packers
have proposed that they would be
very glad TO turn over all informa-
ton possible. including the privilege
OF examining their books and ac-
counts. to any governmental authority
that might be Indicated. They have
protested that they have nothing 10
conceal and will be glad to cooperate
In any inquiry.
The live stock people. however. are
doubtful OF the satisfactory results OF
any investigation which the packers vol
UNFAIRLY join. They say that live stock
ralsers as well as the commission men.
through whom the stock Is marketed,
Will In large proportion OF cases fear
to volunteer testimony. The only way
to get them to shed real light on the
subject will be through somebody with
ter oaths.
THE big stockyards of the country
excepting that at Chicago. are now un-
der the control of the packers" said
This includes Kansas City, Omaha
Sioux City, ST. Joseph, South st. Paul
East st. Louis, Fort Worth, Wichita
and Oklahoma City. We do not be-
competition in buying stock, and are
convinced that there is nothing in the
general marketing situation to Justify
the violent fluctuations that prevail In
| the market.
"The Department OF Commerce. I be.
lteve. ranks the live stock and meat
business as the greatest single bust.
ness in this country.
OF Vital Interest.
whether 1t Is the greatest or not
It is manifestly OF vital interest, con.
sidering the number OF people engaged
in It, the capital involved. and the fact
that everybody Is a consumer OF III
! products. We believe that the condi
tions which now prevail in this in.
/ dustry are anomalous and illogical
and that there Is the most serious rea,
son, considering possible future ef
fects on the industry and the country
for such an investigation as we are
| asking"
I Congressman Steel OF Iowa. who 4
| himself n live stock producer and ais
| a live stock commission merchant, de
clared unqualifedly that prices are tixe,
| by agreement among the packers, bu
| nevertheless he is opposed to the In
vestigation on the general ground sucl
inquiries never do the farmer any good
Congressman Doolittle, by way o
| illustrating the close control main
tanned by the packers in the markets
told OF one man who brought a loal
| OF stock on which he received but
single bid. He sold at the price orrere
and afterward learned that this bunc
OF stock had been divided among nv
| companies.
! Mr.. steel expressed the opinion tina
Government regulation of ali the stoc
yards would produce the most effectiv
results. Mr.. Doolittle said he had him
self laid before the Department of Jus
tice, testimony that there 10 practically
no competition among buyers of liV
stock, and that the department is en-
| In iaN Nlsra tf,N,.