New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1918-05-15
ton, that has been tie large factor in
eliminating this local trade.


eliminating this local trade.
The stockyards ownership by the
packers is an outrageous invasion of
public policy. The stockyards are in
herently and necessarily part of the
railway terminal system, and should
be so recognized. The concealment of
packer ownership in the stockyards
attest to the packers realization that
this is one of the most important fortifica-
tions in their monopoly and one Of the
sore points in the public mind. The
private car system has been used as
another means of fortifying this mono
poly, and should at once be taken over
under the railway powers of the Gov
eminent. It is probable that the re-
frigerator car service is no more than
adequate for present packer needs, but
it should be extended and so distributed
in it's use as to cater to the legitimate
abattoir trade of the country. Under
such conditions the killing of range
cattle at the source would be possible
when coupled up with the assurance Of
non-discriminatory market at the
outlet.
The three matters should receive
immediate consideration:
First, the acquisition Of the yards as
a part of the railroad equipment;
Second, the assumption and control
of the refrigerator cars; and
Third, the rigid enforcement of law
against discriminatory practices in the
wholesale and retail meat trade.
Nothing could be more difficult to
handle from the labor standpoint than
the situation that would follow TIE
Governments assumption of direct
operation OF tie business with the i'm
mense force of disorganized, incoherent,
unskilled people now engaged in the
packing industries. Recent arbitration
has gone far to correct the abuses, but
it would seem an extremely dangerous
time for the Government to BECOME IN
volved in the questions that would arise
in this essential industry.
After the packing business shall have
been sweated down to normal proror-
tions in consonance with correct eco
Monies, it would then be time to. take up
as a direct question the Government
ownership and operation OF the re-
manning factors. This might or might
not prove necessary. -...
In connection with the difficult ques-
ton of price regulation, which seems
essential, we have before us two possible
solutions. First, regulating the prices
through conspiracy in restraint OF trade
by the organized monopolistic power OF
the packers, and second, regulation OF
prices through Government purchase
at tie great central stockyards markets,
which, though confessedly choice OF
evils, as every possible action at this
, tine must be, has many factors that
commend it. H.: -$ ...-. -
, In the matter Of price regulation
there must be established, not absolute
: prices, but a scale which recognizes
difference in quality. The fact that the
minds Of buyer, seller and commlssl or
i,man usually meet on the question o
! quality, if unbiased by self-interest, anc
!, the fact that there are great numbers Q
men expert in such classification, woule
make it possible, granted a general prlc'
scale, to properly tag the livestock a
concerns it's quality. Having purchased pure las
& the livestock, the Government Wo c'u1t[
turn it over to the packers to be handed 'tlt'
on the basis of a toll, repres entlng
] reasonable charge for handling; sub Q
|sequent to the manipulation by tn
! packers, that portion Of the meat re
!, quired for the Government or the Allie
Ishould be taken and toll paid sfor.5 it
i handling, and the portion distributes
q by the packers in the civilian tr q
/ should be carefully graded and sen
]. through the established channels