Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-26

Z
York, was introduced saying:
This will introduce Mr. +. c. Nc
Manus, general attorney of Swift &
Co. who needs some advice and per-
haps some help in connection with a
matter which is pending in Congress.
Assuring YOU that / shall be grateful
for any favors YOU may grant him,
| am,
n Yours sincerely.
fSirned, Il. II. SWIF."
Attorney Heney said Senator Wads-
worth was listed among the stockhold-
ers of Swift & Co.
Evidence that packers were kept IN
formed of what the cattlemen were DO
ing in their fight TO obtain an inVes-
tigation of the meat packing industry
was contained in letter addressed 10
Mr.. McManus and signed by t. w.
TomlinsOn. secretary OF the American
Livestock Association.
A report from McManus 10 l.. f,
Swift. dated March .. 1916, proposed
as one of the steps open TO the pack
ers in their fight against the proposed
investigation TO see if the Borland
resolution could not be made to die in
committee"
1t was indicated that the packers
were working TO have the government
undertake 10 supply information re-
garding the cattle industry which
might change sentiment, which was de-
handing an investigation.
Playing OF Departments
in an effort to forestall the proposed
investigation according to the mem
orandum. counsel for the packers
evolved Il plan TO play the agricultural
committee against the judiciary COM
imittee and cause the whole thing to
fall through. 1t was arranged that Mr..
McManus should see Chairman Lever
Of the agricultural committee and urge
him to protest against any approprla :
ton for an investigation unless it was
conducted by the farmers aid bureau.
The packers also were advised by
their counsel to undertake the assist
anco Of conservative elements in va
rious cattle raisers' associations so
that these less radical groups should
get control of the associations and
quiet the agitation against the pack
erS.
Attitude Of President
The attitude Of President \ Wilson
toward the Borland resolution was
sounded out 10y the packers through w.
II. Gates. chairman of the Democratic
state committee OF Colorado, who re-
ported talking to Secretary Tunulty
and then later reported that the Pres
idcnt was uniavorable 20 the resolu
ton because he did not wish to dis
tUrb business.
f, Mr.. Gates talked with various SEN
ators and congressman in Washing
TON, particularly Senator Thompson of
! Kansas. one Of his personal friends
and reported 10 the packers that ne
believed they would make no mistake
in keeping close to the senator and
that they could reciprocate py giving
/ Thompsons law firm some of the bus
mess they had in Kansas City.
"Mr. Gates says Thompson is a poor
man, and for that reason should not
be in Washington. but that he thought
so much Of him personally that he
/ gave $1,000 against his campaign ex-
! pcnSeS,' read a memorandum to Nc
| ManuH. which was stamped az the enc
with the name Of +. A. Carton. an en-
! ployee Of Swift and Co.
The Durand Mission
/ MI. rurand's mission to WASHINGTON
/ ior the packers. it was developed ir
/ subsequent letter. was undertak er
| without remuneration.
The memorandum concerning Gates
i III lgl,
/ 1916. follows:
| W. II. Gates, chairman Of the Dem
! ocratic state committee Of Colorado
| returned from Washington and New
! York TO-DAY and while in Washingto.
i met some Of the Presidents advisers
! who told him that the President wa,
unwilling to do anything to disturb
! business and thai he did not approx,
! the Borfand resolution ana the advic,
! that he bad concerning it did not ap
| peal TO him, according 20 Mr. Tumul
! ty.
! While in Washington, Mr.. GATES
! had an interview in which the Borlant
! bill uesolution and the causes lead
! ing up to it We're discussed by Sena
| tor Shaffroth of Colorado Senator
| Tnor1as of Colorado. Congressman
| Taylor Of Colorado, Senator w. ]
! Stone Of Missouri, Senator Reed d
/ Missouri Senator Thornton Of Louis
! lana and Senator Hol<e Smith of Geor
| gia, who are all unfavorablc to The
| rea solution and to the agitation now
going on in Washington by the radi-
i Gals in the cattle associations.
He also say Senator Thompson o
1 Kansas. IF the firm of Thompson s
/ Robertson, lawyers. Kansas City, Kan.
who is a personal friend of Mr.. Gate
\ and Mr. Gates laid 4 great deal o
stress upon the senator's friendship
! and believed hat we would make NJ
mistake III keeping close 10 him am
| that we could reciprocate by givin:
I his firm some of the legal business v,
4 have to do in Kansas City and I be
lieVe it would be in the interests of tn,
situation to consider Mn Gates re
| poor man and for that reason Shout,
not be i'll Washington but that y.
: thought so much of him PERSONAL,
that he gave him $1,000 against his cam
4 Mr. A. y. White was with me during
Mr.. Gates stay in the office and was
enabled to tell Mr.. Gates a good lnat>
things that transpred at the hearing ir
| Washington and has now gone with M
CAT ties in a car and will give him 4 ride
around the parks and arrange t. take