Arizona republican., 1916-02-27
Solving a Marketing Problem

proceeding O the solution of the marketing problem which is the perplexing confronting the live stock industry, the committee of the American National Live Stock Association, appointed by Presi dent Heard under direction of the Fl Paso convention is moving systematically get the fundamental facts of a very intricate problem. The committee is merely assuming that the industry is unjustly dealt with by the big packing interests and is not reaching bndly for relief.
 It has secured the services of Hon. Walter L. Fisher, former secretary of the interior, lawyer and investigator of national reputation and who had served special attorney for the city of Chicago and special traction counsel for the city. It will devolve upon MT Fisher ascertain the exact of the grievances of the stock and find intelligent ways for their removal. Already eral bills and resolutions have been introduced congress to remedy the evils of which the growers complain. A variety of remedies thus proposed without an exact knowledge the underlying causes of the ailment.
 It is only broadly known that the growers at the mercy of the packers and that they being shown very little mercy; that notwithstanding the higher prices of beef the decreased imports of cattle the increased exports of and products and the greatly increased profits of the packers busi- of the producers has been conducted de- creased profit or none at all But the details of the manipulation by which this condition has been brought about not clearly understood, if at all MT. Fisher is charged with the uncoverng of these details, the laying bare of the molelike work of the packing interests and with this done definite program for remedial legislation may be framed
 The campaign upon which the American National Live Stock Association has entered, if carried a successful end, will benefit only the live stock growers but the consumers of we'll There is too wide margin between the prices received by nd bI he and hot prices fixed by monopoly of the packing r- terests. The consumers pay too much and the pro- ducers receive little. The legislation sought would take away from the packers the power tro both either market regardless of the relation between the demand and the supply.
 This investigation will disclose a peril which many persons for years have dmly but which will be presented clearly-the power of a com bnation backed by sufficient capital control all most absolutely the food supply of the country Only abundance of money and entire absence of conscience necessary. The packers might, with the power which they possess do even worse than they have done They have the capital after having fixed the price to live stock, control the dustry of the country, control the supply hold it in refrigeration for year for a much longer period. They could deprive great part of the population of the United States of except such prices as they might arbitrarily impose.
 This is a condition which should not exist and we believe that when it is fully and clearly known to the country it will exist that legislation will be enacted which will exert a firm control over the power of the trust legislation that will have teeth in it and that will hold violators personally guilty and will imprisonment instead of heavy fines which the would in turn collect from the people by additional exactions