Arizona republican., 1917-03-08

own field, and both together in those fields in which they can so effectively cooperate. more efficiently promote the rightful interests of the producer. the manufacturer, and the consumer. and thus the welfare of the nation.
 Complaints Against the Packers
 The conditions complained of by those who have impartialiy studied this situation seem to be abou. as follows:
 First, the vast and steadily increas- ing power of the big packers. vested in q small group of men;
 Second, startling fluctuations in prices at certain seasons. which indi cate speculative or manipulatiVe influ ences in the market and seem not to be based on the normal law of supply and demand
 Third. the irregular, uncertain and Lndependable and unauthoritative mar ket reports of the past;
 Fourth. large and increasing profits in the packing house business. largely due, probably. to the great advance in the value of hy y-products of meat ani- mals slaughtered, due To war condi- tions; but which increased profits do not seem to have been reflected in the prices paid to producers, or In q proper decrease in the cost of meat products to the consumer:
 
 ply of live stock at the marketing cen ters. resulting in what is sometimes known as q ''two-days' market"
 Another feature which has caused special discontent is tkc control of large number of the stock yards by packing interests who often control ter minal transportation facilities this condition often causing dissatisfaction to the shipper and interfering with the operations of the Independent buyer.
 While these stock yards are frequent ly run along very efficient lines, the cattle producer often naturally objects 10 having his cattle handled in the stock yards. fed and weighed by the representatives, of those to whom he eX- pects to sell, and even although these functions are well and properly per formed il leaves d feeling of discontent in the mind of the shipper. and | be- lieve that eventually the only proper method To handle public stock yards and maintain the confidence of the people in their operations. Is to make them public utilities and place them un- der thorough-goinS control and resu- lation.
 II can be readily be seen that definite remedies for these conditions can only he justly devised after thorough in Nesugation mace by the department of agriculture and the Federal Trades Commission working together to the end that the exact existing conditions may be ascertaincd; desirable improve ments suggested, and such just cooper alton devised between the producing. feeding. slaughtering and distributing branches of this vast live stock busi- ness as will produce economic effi- ciency in the handling of live stock aaf stockrlan has tersely phrased it.
 In my judgment, out of this whole matter will come better cooperation be- tween the producer and feeder on one side. and the packer on the other: a greater knowledge on the part Of the meat t-consLming public concerning the various factors involved in the cost Of meat. q probable increased consumption of meat products. and a steady elimina tion of speculative influences in the meat industry.
 Owing to the rather short time that dressed beef ig held before il reaches the consumer. there is comparatively little opportunity for speculative influ- ence in beef The hog products are. however. a very different matter. as a latgc percentage of the hog goes into inc cellars Of the packers and is trans ferred into products of q more or less speculative nature, which are some times held for many months. This phase of the situation will undoubtedly receive very careful consideration by the Federal Trades Commission.
 Market Publicity
 The awakened interest in better methods of marketing. and the need for wide and authoritative publicity as to the actual market price of live stock hs.a aaH d.. ks, cal markets. an1 of regular government reports thereon. as well as Of the sup plies of meat and provisions held in storage by the slaughtering interests. has become very evident. and at it's last session congress passed an appropri alton of s65.000 10 obtain these facts and make monthly. and. if necessary. weekly publication thereof. and the of flee of markets of the department of agriculture Is now making regular and full reports in this connection. avail able to all who ask for the service.
 Congress has become thoroughly aroused to the need of such an inves- tagatiOn as is proposed. Several con gressional hearings have been held dur ing the year on this subject in connec- tion with various resolutions introduced by MT Borland Of Missouri. and Mir. Carln, chairman of the subcommittee of the Judiciary committee of the house. recently reported favoTably to- the house on the new resolution of Mir. Borland. which provides for the thor ough investigation through the cooper ation of the Federal Trades Commis- sion and department Of agriculture, to the end that ''the cxtents manner and methods of any manipulation of the markets or control of tho visible supply of food products by any individuals. groups. associations. or corporations, and especially those engaged in the slaughtcring and marketing of meat products"
 Packers and Stockmen in Conference
 I have always felt that the sensible. practical thing to do was to sit down in conference with the real executive heads of the packers. thresh out the situation fairly with them arrange what matters could be adjusted by mu- tual agreement. and decide on some just method of procedure for straight