The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-05
PUT MACNATES
/ LIN JAIL, SURE
l: 1 TRUST REMEDY
*. c. Man Flags Packers at
Washington Hearing.
Rep. Taggart Suggests Federal
y Bureau of Control.
i5ALF BILLION BUSHELS A YEAR
Witness Describes Enormous
i Growth on Industry.
Publicity the Most Effective
4 Weapon Against Packers.
c. Man Flags Packers at
Washington Hearing.
Rep. Taggart Suggests Federal
y Bureau of Control.
HALF BILLION BUSHELS A YEAR
Witness Describes Enormous
Growth on Industry.
Publicity the Most Effective
Weapon Against Packers.

: Washington, April 5.-"Put the
{ trust magnates in the penitentiary and
you won't have any more trusts"
This was the remedy against the
ARTISTS recommended by w. H. Wallace
: OF Kansas City to the house judiciary
0 committee today on the hearing of
th4 Borland resolution for an investi-
( gallon of the alleged beef trust.
fThe trust won't face the peniten-
I tiary." Wallace said. What do they
care for fines? fine is nothing to
them. But you pass a law making it
a penitentiary offense for a violation
OF the antitrust law and you will have
. no more trusts"
\ Federal Bureau.
Establishment of government bu-
reau that would prevent interstate
: cofnmerce agencies from specializing
I'M crude products was suggested by
representative Taggart of the com
1 mfttee in "A discussion with former
. SECRETARY of the Interior Walter Fish
ert one of the with esses. Taggart
asked If it was not possible for the
government to establish such a bu-
reeu. and give it authority to prohibit
Speculation on interstate business
s'Absolutely That subject has been
largely discussed and seems to be A
solution for the trust problem, Fish
er answered
Three Agencies of Relief.
Publication, competition and regu-
ladon are the three agencies of relief
agafnst trust control of the beef in
dustry. Edward L. Burke of the Amer
fcan Livestock association told the
committee. He asked that the federal
trade commission be asked to investi-
gate the whole beef question, following
the course of the livestock from the
farm to the block.
Fisher and Taggart engaged in an
argument over the value of publicity,
Taggart criticising publicity methods.
Publicity is of the utmost impor-
lance in this case" Fisher said. THE
packers say they are only making GER
tain profits. The publicity of the
facts of whether they are making big
ger profits would be very important"
Packers Witnesses There.
Washington, April 5.-Representa-
tives of the meat packers investiga-
ton of whose industry by the federal
government is asked by the livestock
producers particularly as to alleged
price fixing, presented their side of
the case to the house Judiciary sub
committee today. Among those on
hand ready to testify was Arthur
Meeker, vice president of Armour g.
Co,
For the past two days the subcom-
Jnittee has heard argument by pro-
ducers in support of the Borland
amendment now before the committee
proposing an investigation to deter
mine whether the packers are violating
the antitrust laws and they suggest
that more stringent laws be enacted
Prohibiting restraint of trade in food
Etuffs generally. Jail sentences instead
of fines were particularly urged.
Swift Does 500 Million Year.
One of the speakers for the resolu-
ton today was Edward l.. Burke of
Omaha, representing the market COM
of he a 70
stock association.
'tFhe rapid concentration of the
slaughter and distribution of meat
animals in this country and South
America into the hands of a few men,"
he said, lis the feature which most
disturbs the producer and which he
feels needs the most careful investi-
cation.
"A simple statement of the facts is
sufficient. Less than twenty years
ago the working ca pital of the leading
co1cern. Swift & Company. was a lit
tie over $16,O0O,000 their earnings I.
trifle over S2.0O0.000 and the volume
Of business about $1OO,0OO,0OO. 1t has
gradually increased until now the
working capital is approximately
S12o zoo. the earnings for 1912
were over $14,0O0.O0O and the volume
of business over $500, 100000. Armour
& Company have expanded at almost
the same rate while the three smaller
concerns have emulated the example
of the leaders although on a much
smaller scale.
Wants Square Deal.
s'Our association representing thou
sands of producers. feels that there
exists at this time not only an OPP
portunity but also an absolute neces-
sity for searching inquiry and the
discovery and application of a remedy
foP-eXisting conditions by government
tai agencies to the end that both the
producers and the packers may re-
cetve on the average a reasonable re-
turn and the public may have a con-
unoous and steady supply of meat
products at reasonable prices"
IgAnnWg0 n ~ A0AaAE