Arizona republican., 1917-01-19
HEARD BARES
PROBLEMS OF
MEAT INDUSTRY
Continued from Page Four

4 what matters could be adjusted by
mutual agreement, and decide on some
fair. just method of procedure for
Strengthening out those differences on
which an agreement could not be
reached.
Il have always found that, when /
disagree with a man, there is more
chance of adjusting the disagreement
4 by sitting down with him, lookins
him in the eye. and with firmness, but
without malice or ill-will. trying to
reach some common ground on which
agreement can be substituted for dis
agreement. / believe such a method
| is always better that sniping at your
1 opponent from long distance.
Il had hoped that such a conference
/ with the five or six men with whom
rests the control Of the immense pack
! ing interests of this country could be
/ arranged before the final hearing on
the Borland resolution This seemed
! impractical but at a meeting of the
market committee in Denver which
attended last September, l again
! brought this matter to the attention
| of the cammittee. | am glad to advise
| you that during the recent marketing
I conference in Chicago, after some pre-
! liminary meetings, formal confer
! ence was held between the officers OF
/ this association, It's market committee,
and the executive heads of the big
| packing interests Of this country;
| there being present, on behalf of our
market committee. Mr.. +. l. Burke,
| Mr.. A. F.. de RiCqles, Hon. J. b.
Kendrick, and Mr.. Ed Lassater repre-
senting Mr.. Isaac T. Pryor. The as
sOciation was represented by Mr.
Tomlinson, Mr.. William J. Tod, one Of
our vice presidents, who was accom-
panied by Mr.. ]. H. Mercer secre
tary of the Kansas live stock associa-
ton, and myself. The side of the
packers in this matter was repre-
scented as follows: Swift and Company,
by Mr.. Louis F. Swift and Mr. G.. F.
Swift; Armour and Company, by Mr..
j. Ogden Armour and Mr.. Arthur
| Meeker; Morris and Company, by
MIR. Edward Morris; Wilson and
Company. formerly S. and S, by Mr..
Thomas Wilson; and the Cudahy Com
pany by Mr. Edward A. Cudahy, Jr.
Our market committee was also
represented at this conference by Mr.
( Walter Fisher, its legal counsel. and
there was present Mr. Needer coun-
sci for Swift and Company. | had the
honor OF presiding at this very inter-
esting conference; Mr.. w. B. ,rraynor
acting as secretary.
IN the discussion, which was ex-
of the market committee took the
position that the country at large as
well as the stock producers and feed
ers, would not be satisfied until the
marketing situation had been thor
Oughly investigated by some federal
tribunal with full authority; that the
packers should really welcome such
thorough investigation rather than OPP
pose it, and that we We're perfectly
willing that such investigation should
cover all branches of the meat indus
try, as well as that branch directly
connected with marketing. The pack
ers on their part took the position
that there was no need for such an
inv estigatiOn, and insisted that, as far
as they knew. no agreements existed
to interfere with the natural opera
tiOn Of the law of supply and Demand
that they welcomed increased CO.
operation with the producer and feed
er, but felt they should not be singled
out for personal attack for violation
of the law.
AS the result Of this extended con-
ference. a definite understanding was
reached. The packers. while they did
not favor the federal investigation,
withdrew their opposition. on the as
surance that, While the stockmen
would Go everything possible 10 see
that this investigation was thorough
going and effective. it would be car
ried on without malice or ill-will.
feel that this conference ought tn
bring excellent results.
"On the previous day the question
of livestock marketing had been very
ably presented to large meeting
of the national conference of market
ing and farm credits, by various men,
bers of the market committee and az
it's conclusion | offered some brief sug-
gestions as to methods of making
Roadway along lines of cooperation
and fair play. AS a result Of the
presentation of the subject of the
marketing of live-stoc products tn
the conference. the convention passed
unanimously the following resolution:
We urge upon congress the maxi
ing of an adequate appropriation
and the giving of adequate authority
to the federal trade commission to
enable it to cover all important phases
of the problem, including the expert
ence of other countries with municipal
abattoirs and comparatively owned
packing plants, to the end that a free
and uncontrolled market may be as
sured; that any existing abuses may
be corrected, that present wastes may
be eliminated, and that new and bet
tSt ihctiiOho may We duOpteu. we
further urge that the fullest publicity
be given to all facts affecting the
prices of live stock received by the
producer and the cost of meat prod
ucts paid by the consumer
Il am glad to advise you that on
the 2lst of December last, the commit
tee on judiciary of the house of repre-
sentatives made a unanimous report
in favor of the modified Borland
resolution. which provides for a full
investigation Of this whole question
OF marketing and food production and
supply.
Fortunately the federal trades com
mission. during the hearings on the
original Borland resolution last spring.
had had a careful investigation made
as to the probable cost of the inves-
tigation of the meat-packing industry
and related branches of business. and
had reported that a comprehensive
investigation and study of the pack
ing industry and it's related branches
would cost $4,000, estimating that
the same could he completed within
| eighteen months. 1t is estimated by
the house committee that $4,000 Of
| this money will be needed during the
coming year. 1t is hoped that this
appropriation will be promptly passed
by congress and this important work
undertaken.