Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-26
PACKERS TRAIL
INTO CONGRESS
SHOWN BY FILES
Thompson, of Kansas, Is
Named in Probe of the
Beef Barons

Washington. Jan. 26.-How the
packers worked against Federal in
vestigation of their industry, as pro-
pose! in Congress in 1916. and how
they kept in touch with political af-
fairs in Washington in an effort to
forestan passage OF investigation res
olutions, were, disclosed yesterday by
DOCUMENTS from the files of Swift and
Company read into record of the
Federal Trade Commissions inquiry,
The attitude of President Wilson
toward the Borland resolution was
sounded by the packers through
W. II. Gates, chairman of the Demo-
cratic State Committee of Colorado
who report ed that he had talked with
Secretary Tumulty, and later reported
that the President was unfavorable
to the resolution because he did not
desire to disturb business.
'Keep Close to Senator
Mr.. Gates talked with various
Senators and congressman In Wash
ington. particularly Senator Thomp-
son, of Kansas, one of his personal
frieLds, and reported to the packers
that he believed they would make
no mistake in keeping close to the
Senator, and that they could recip-
rocate BY giving Thompson's law firm
some of the business they had in
Kansas City.
"Mr. Gates says Thompson Is q
poor man. and fr that reason should
not he in Washington. but that he
thought SO much OF him personally
that he gave $1,000 against his cam
paign expenses" read a memorandum
to r. c. McManus. of Swift and Com.
psny's legal staff, which was stamped
at the eni with the name of L. A
Carton. an employe of Swift and
Company.
WadswOrth's Name brought In
The name of Senator Wadsworth
of New York, who, Francis ]. Heney
Swift and Company, also was brought
into the testimony in a letter from
Louis F. Swift appealing for help sir
connection with a matter which is
pending in Congress" Mr.. Heney 4:
attorney Ior the commission.
In an effort to forestall the pro-
posed investigation, according to the
memorandum, counsel for the pack
ers evolved a plan to play the Agri'
cultural Committee against the Judi.
ciary Comm ttee and cause the whole
thing to fall through. 1t was ar
ranged tina. Mr. McManus should see
Mr.. Lever. chairman of the Agricul.
tural Committee and urge him tC
protest against al. appropriation fol
an investigation unless it was con
Quoted by his Farmers Aid Bureau.
The packer also were advised BY
their counsel 20 undertake the assist
ance of consL rvative elements in vari.
Gus cattle raisers associations so that
these less radical groups should get
control of the association and quiet
the agitation againt the packers.
The packers efforts to obtain gov.
erninental propaganda as a substl'
tute for an official investigation alsC
took thsr form of letters to Secretary
Houston urging that the Bureau Of
Markets undertake the publication. o.
cattle and beef prices with the inten'
tion of removing friction and dis
trust on the part OF cattlemen TOWARD
the PACKERS"
Secretar Houston replied that th'
suggestion. had been taken undei
consideration and would receive close
attention.
Mr.. Heney remarked that the Sec
retary's reply had been delayed. ac'
cording to the date. until after actor
had been taken by the Congressiona
subcommittee on the question OF al
investigation, evidently with a view
to avoid any chance of influencing the
committee.