Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-04-02
PROMISE TO COOPERATE WITH
BOARD NAMED BY PRESIDENT
WILSON.
NEW POLICY TO GOVERN
SALE AND DISTRIBUTION
Board to Have Control Of Industry
During Period Of War-Armour and
Other Packers Issue Statement Out
lining Attitude Of Meat Barons-
Offer Best Endeavors.

operate to the best Of our ability with
the policies of the government" sum
marizes the attitude expressed unoffi-
cially by most Of the Chicago packers
yesterday. following President Will
sons appointment of a committee tt
form a policy governing meat produc-
ton, sale and distribution during the
war
Lacking official information and no,
having discussed the probable policy OF
the new committee, the majority OF
packers made no statements.
1t was pointed out the packers have
been operating many months under
government regulation, and just to
what extent the new committee would
exercise it's jurisdiction was not known
to the industry.
Henry Veeder counsel for Swift &
Co., said that the company has been
operating under the orders and control
Of the administration. and lacking
definite information could not venture
the probable course of the new board.
Whatever policy is adopted by the
Of the government and the people," ne
said. Swift & Co. will cooperate to
the best of it's ability"
Armour's Statement.
J. Ogden Armour issued the follow
ing statement:
Mr.. Hoover'S proposal to the presi-
dent made plain the most important
and one Of the least considered facts
in relation to the whole meat situa-
for their meat animals if consumers
are going to pay less for meat.
After all, the price Of meat is a
sort of compromise between the price
the consumer will pay and the price
the producer must have. Packers are
the agency thru which this compro-
mise is reached. and as such they are
the target Of both, because prices can
not be low to the consumer and high
to the producer.
The profit Of the packers averages
less than Y cent a pound. and so is
a negligible factor in the determine
ton Of prices. The industry's oper-
ating costs, too, compare favorabIy
with those Of any other industry, and
If both profit and operating costs were
eliminated from the meat bill of the
average consumer his savings in q
whole year would not buy a IS thrift
certificate.
Need For Understanding.
There is need for an understand
ing on the part Of the public of what
the packers really do and what their
profits really amount to when brought
down to the basis Of pounds of meat
and dollars of sales and service rem
dered.
For over fifty years, due to the in
herent character Of our business, we
have been compelled to stand between
the producer and the consumer, and
this long experience has taught us to
expect to be the target of both. We
have sincerely endeavored to conduct
our business TO the best interests of
all concerned, and if able counsel can
improve our methods or results it will
be most welcome snd have our heart
felt cooperation. our aim is the great
est good to The greatest number and
the winning of the war. and to that
| end we shall bend every effort and di-
| rect every energy.
Armour & Co. In unQualihedly and
| unreservedly for whatever course the
| president decides to be the best
method whereby to utilize the pack
| ing industry as an efficient contrbu-
tor to a successful solution of the
| war problems both at and behind
the firing line. Whether the presi-
dents decision be to regulate, to con-
troll, or to take over and operate our
plants and properties count Armour
& Co. among the soldiers glad to sa-
lutte orders and Enthusiastically to
obey.
Twin or Lose ALL"
Last summer publicly stated that
the government Of the United States
can have Armour & Co. The
government OF the United States can
have any man or group of men OF
| Armour &, Co. - = We may not
realize it, but as nation and as
freemen we have staked all and shall
win or lose ALL
Events occurring since I made that
statement have only served tc
strengthen my conviction that none
of us, in any particular field Of in
dustry, should permit consideration
of possible future consequences to
such industry to obscure our seeing
clearly that there will be no future
for any American industry or any
American individual unless we wir
this war SO as matter Of course
when the president, thru the COM
mission just appointed, decides the
policy to be pursued, we are for thai
policy, whatever it may be, because
be believe the measure Of value
present or future, Of any American
Industry or individual is the prompt.
ness and heartiness Of response tt
what is wanted by those who mus
coordinate and harmonic our sew