Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-05
SAY PACKERS
WORSE THAN
JAMES BOYS
Former Judge Wallace and For
mer Governor Stubs at
Washington
URGE JAIL SENTENCES
AS FINES ARE JOKES

Washington. April A former Kan
sas governor. W. r. Stubbs, and form
er Missouri judge, w. II. Wallace, who
said they had learned by raising cattle
themselves that meat packers by price
fixing combinations were crushing live
stock growers pleaded with a House
judiciary subcommittee today to aid
in inaugurating sweeping reforms in the
packing industry. They appeared as
counsel for western growers and feed
ers.
Speaking on the Borland resolution
now before the subcommittee which
would order federal trade commission
inquiry to determine whether the pack
ers are violating the antitrust laws,
they Endorsed the proposal strongly and
suggested making laws prohibiting the
restraint of trade in foodstuffs gener-
ally more stringent Jail sentences in
stead of fines We're particularly urged.
Declares Fines Jokes
Fines are jokes" Mr.. Stubbs de-
clared They are not effective. The
producers pay the penalty Forty per
cent of the feed lots in this country are
empty because of present market con-
ditions. Nearly every stockman that I
know believes there is packers trust"
Mr.. Wallace, who prosecuted the
James train robbers heatedly denounced
the alleged packing combination.
I'VE are after a worse crowd now
than the James boys" he declared
"These fellows steal more money in a
week than the James boys did in their
whole career"
Judges Charges
BY affidavit and testimony as to his
personal experiences, the judge sought
to prove that combinations had existed
among packers in the Kansas City yards
within the last few years. He submit
ted an affidavit from Leo Burns, for
mer stockyards employe, declaring that
Kansas City and Chicago packing houses
were in constant communication regard
ing proposed purchases from spectators.
An affidavit signed by Earl Cooper de-
clared that before the packers came into
possession of the Kansas City yards he
used to visit the yards at night and sup
ply them with information as to the
number of livestock on hand prior to the
opening of the market.
On one occasion. the judge asserted,
he received only one bid on a bunch Of
cattle at the Kansas City yards and
learned later that they were divided be-
tween two packing concerns.
Statement Questioned
Arthur Meeker. vice president of Ar
mour & Co. promptly questioned the ac-
curacy of the judges statement regard
ing one buyer for two houses. Walter
L. Fisher. attorney for the American Ma
tional Livestock Association. interjected
the declaration that he would be able
to prove that such a practice was not
uncommon. Mr.. Fisher produced a sales
slip from the Kansas City yards which
he declared showed one buyer had pur-
chased Sc cattle from a raiser, and that
Morris & Co. and the Cudahy Packing
Co. had divided them equally.
The session was enlivened by exchanges
between Mr.. Fisher and Mr.. Meeker over
the proposals of the packers to submit
their books to the department of agricul-
ture to prove that they are not making
an unfair profit, and the counter pro-
posal of the producers that tribunal
with subpoena powers make the exami-
nation Once during the day Mr.. Meeker
declared he was willing to have an in
quisitorial body with subpoena powers
conduct the examination, but later on
insisted upon his original proposal of
leacing the proposed investigation to the
department of agriculture. The hearing
will continue tomorrow when representa-
tives Of the packers are expected to pre-
sent their side of the case.