The sun., 1918-12-11
BILLPUTS MEAT
IN U. S. CONTROL
Sims Measure for Curbing of
Packing Monopoly Meets
Opposition.
WILSON AID CLAIMED
Republicans in Next Congress
Expected to Fight Pater-
nalistic Tendency.
Special Despntch to rnr srr.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 10.-Government
control and virtual Government own
ership Of the meat packing industry
was suggested to-day in a bill drawn
by the Federal Trade Commission and
introduced in the House by Repre-
sentative Sims (Tenn), chairman of
the House Interstate Commerce Com
mittee. According to Mr. Sims the bill
has the Endorsement OF the President.
A revolving fund OF half a billion
dollars to swing the facilitieA neces-
sary to the meat packing business will
be required and this is provided for in
the measure.
In the announcement OF the bill
prepared by the Federal Trade Com
mission is this statement:
THE proposed legislation does not
contemplate the taking over OF any OF
the packing house plants. 1t offers
an alternative at the discretion of the
President either actually TO acquire
and operate certain other facilities or
TO acquire them for the United States
and license their operation. or with
out acquiring them to place the meat
packing industry under a system of
direct Federal license.
To Take Over Rolling stock.
THE bill carries the authority to
acquire and operate any or all rolling
stock especially equipped for the
transportation of live stock and It's
products as we'll as of stock yards,
cold storage and freezing plants and
the necessary appurtenances thereto"
In the announcement Mr.. Sims Is
made the authority for this statement:
The five large packers substantially
control tho marketing of live stock
and of the products derived from live
stock. In the interest OF producer
and consumer II seems that the Gov
ernment must effectively regulate
these packers so far as they are or
tend to become a monopoly. must pre-
vent the extension of monopolistic
tendency and must restore full meas
ure OF free competition.
ut appears that certain large pack
Ing concerns have taken over certain
functions which properly belong to the
railroads as common carriers by fur
nishing refrigerator cars and other
especially equipped cars. Their COM
petitors. If they are unable TO secure
the necessary type OF car from the
railroad. must either buy such cars for
themselves or hire them from competl-
tors owning such cars"
Gives Power to President.
In addition to providing a half mil
lion dollars as a revolving fund for the
proposed Government control over the
packing industry the bill would EN-
power the President 10 exercise the
authority which would be given him II
necessary through the formation Of
one or more corporations, organized by
him in purchasing sufficient facilities
to insure Government control Of the
packing industry.
Republican members of the House
Interstate Commerce Committee de-
clare there is little chance for the bill
to be forced through at the present
session of Congress. 1t Is doubtful II
the attempt will be renewed when the
Republicans have control in the next
session. Republicans look at the prep
aration and introduction of the meas
ure as merely another move in the
fight between the Federal Trade Com
mission and the five big packers which
has been raging for some time.
They also regard II as last minute
move to continue the practice which
obtained throughout the war, but
which Republicans are strongly against
continuing In peace times - concen-
trating power in the hands of the ex-
ecutive branch OF the Government