Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-02
CONGRESSMAN soRLAND ASKS
FEDERAL TRADE BOARD 70
PROBE PRICES.
CONSPIRACY TO CONTROL
VALUES OF CATTLE
Big Chicago Beef Packsrs Charged
With Arbitrary Action to Dsprsss
Priees-Asrsemsnt Said to Be in
Force to Restrict Bidding, Thus
Eliminating Composition.

washington, feD. 2@Jne SniCd8o
beef packers were put under fire in
the house when Representative Bor-
land, of Missouri, introduced a resolu-
ton directing the federal trade com.
mission to investigate Immediately
charges that they are in conspiracy
to restrict, depress, and control the
price bid for cattle on the hoof.
Mr.. Borland mentioned the follow
ing concerns specifically as ones which
should be- investigated Armour & CO..
Cudahy Packing Company, Morris &
Co, Sulzberger & Sons Co.. Swift 4
Co. G. H. Hammond Company.
Wide Field For Inquiry.
His resolution, in addition to direct
ing the commission to ascertain if the
packers control the price paid for beef
cattle instructs 1t to determine wheth-
er the above named packing houses, or
any Of them. or any others restrain
commerce in cattle by means OF the
ownership of stock yards, tanneriss,
refrigerating lines, or agreements to
refrain from competitive bidding on
cattle offered for sale in public yards
of the country, or before certain hours
in the day.
1t also calls upon the commission to
learn if the packers are in an agree
ment not to make more than one bid
on one particular lot Of cattle or to
prevent a rise in prices for cattle by
refusing to compete for them. either in
the stock yards or in the stock pro-
ducing sections Of the country.
Verbal Attack on Packers.
~ ~l,,xs@ -
Borland issued scathing attack on
the packers. He declared he seeks ac-
ton by the federal trade commit -\,n
instead of congress because he be-
lieves the commission can produce re-
suits quicker.
Mr.. Borland asserted the packers
stock raisers Of the country that no
power save that Of the federal govern
ment is strong enough to break It,
THE conditions in the cattle feed
ing business in the west have grown
steadily worse all winter" Mr.. Borland
said. THE packers now own many OF
the large stock yards. and are seeking
to acquire others and drive all indie
pendent markets out Of existence"
"One OF their recent attempts Is to
acquire exclusive stock yards facilities
ut FL Paso. Tex. In addition to this.
they control the transportation lines.
as well as the great packing houses
and canneries
Export Adds TO Power.
1-The present condition of the export
trade has turned an unusual and OPP
pressive amount of power into their
hands On account Of the congestion
Of freight for expert. the export buying
in the cattle market has been uncertain
for the last few years. throwing the
buying entirely into the hands OF the
packers combine As the direct re-
suit of this the price of fat cattle has
steadily declined, and In the last few
days feeders have been refusing to ship
to market at the present prices.
while the stock feeders are thus
being squeezed by low prices on their
fat cattle, the conditions OF the market
are such as to demand good prices.
Fewer cattle were imported in the year
1915 than in previous years. an account
OF the almost total destruction OF the
cattle business in Mexico, SO that the
price has not been held down by i'm
ported cattle. On the other hand. more
meat has been exported in. 1915 than
in recent years. an account OF the
extraordinary demand in Europe. The
price Of dressed beef has, been adj
| vancd to the meat consumers in the
! cities, while the price Of cattle has
| ruled more than 81 per hundredweight
lower than in 1914.
! Means Empty Cupboards.
1.-The abominable thing about 1t IL
! that it relates to a. prime necessity Of
life. It means the empty cupboard for
many wage earners and the pauperiza-
ton OF thousands OF tenant farmers.
No more vicious and high handed con-
duct can be imagined than to take adj
vantage OF the present war situation to
squeeze the American farmers. who
have furnished a large proportion Of
the great exports OF our country dur
ing the last year
In addition to Mr.. Borland, Con-
gressmen Rainey. Of Illinois, and Good.
Of Iowa, have been camping on the
| trail OF the packers
Both of these men assert the packers
have made millions OF dollars out Of
the operation Of the federal quaran-
| tine for the eradication of the foot
and mouth disease. Both are expected
/ to join Mr.. Borland in tho effort to
obtain the passage OF his resolution
| Immediately.