Evening journal., 1918-08-08
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which they buy their supplies, the mar
ket In which they sell their products
and hold the fortunes Of their competi-
tors IN their hands"
To break this power the commission
chose what II regarded as a simple and
non-speotacular remedy. II holds that
since cattle cars are a necessary part
Of the equipment Of a railroad, suoh
cars should be under Federal owner
ship and operation and available to all
alike.
IL holds that a stookyard Is nothing
more than a depot for cattle. the same
as passenger or freight depot for peo
pie, and therefore should be a part Of
the railroad facilities, subject TO the
use Of all alike.
Declaring that the ownership by the
five great packing interests Of refrlg-
orator cars furnishes one OF the most
powerful means for control manlpula-
tlons and restraint" the commission
recommends that these cars be taken
over by the Railroad Administration.
Branch houses, coal storage houses
nd warehouses ara now provided by
mmon carriers for various sorts Of
eight except meat and perlshsbles-
and therefore the packers warehouses
should logically come under railroad
operation, the commission says.
/ Having acquired these facilities thG
0ailroad administration could then es-
Nllsh at the terminals OF ali prln-
points Of distribution and con
lption central wholesale markets
storage plants with facilities open
an.
The commission believes that its sug-
gested remedies strike so deeply at
the root OF the tree Of monopoly that
they constitute an adequate and sim
plo solution" Of the problem
In answer to the Presidents inquiry
the commission says It's investigation
Of the packers shows unquestlonably
that there exists monopolles, control,
trusts, combinations, consplraoles and
restraint Of trade "Out OF harmony with
the law and public interest"
While It's findings disclose an "in-
trioate fabric" Of such combinations
and conspiracles," according to COM
mission, the legislative and admins
tratlve remedies Il believes can be
easily arrived at through the railroad
administration.
In a vigorous attack upon the trust
the commission says not only Is the
business OF gathering. preparing and
selling meat products in their control,
but an almost countless number Of by
products industries are similarly dOm-
mated. and not content with reaching
out for mastery as 10 commodities
which constitute for meat and It's allied
Industries and even unrelated ones.
"The combination" the commissions
report continues, has not stopped at
the most minute integration. but has
gone on into a state OF cOnglomeration
so that unrelated heterogeneous enter
prises are brought under control
I'VE have found that II Ia not so
much the means OF production and
preparation. nor the sheer momentum
OF wealth, but the advantage which Is
obtained through a monopollstio con
troll of the market places and means or
transportation and distribution.
III these five great concerns owned
no packing plants and killed no cattle
and still retained control Of the instru
ments Of transportation, marketing and
storage their position would not be less
strong than 1t Is.
'Srhe competitors Of the flve concerns
are at their mercy because OF control
Of the market places, storage facilities
and refrigerator cars for distribution.
"The consumer Of meat products is
at the mercy Of these flve because both
producer and competitor are helpless
to bring relief.
oOut OF the information in our hands
one fact stands out with all possible
emphasis. The small dominant group
OF American meat packers are now IN
ternational in their activities while re-
naming American inideptity. Blame
which now attaches to them for their
practices abroad as well as at home
Inevitably will attach to our country IL
the practices continue.
Thus urgently argues for a solu-
ton which will increase and not di-
minsh the high regard in which this
people is held in international comfy.
some show Of competition Is staged
by the fve great packing companies.
IL is superficial There is the natural
rivalry of officials and departments and