Evening star., 1918-08-09

tIOHtlhueQ IfOtn rlfSt fdke.J
company It has been its policy to treat
fairly and honorably with the pro-
ducers, consumers and all with whom
it has had business dealingA This
policy has been maintained, and Is go
ing to be continued, In spite OF any
report to the contrary"
Statement by Louis =. Swift.
Louis 3. Swift president Of SWIFT Z
Co, gave out the following statement;
''Referring to tho brief press account
Of the Federal Trade Commission's
report on the packing industry. We
naturally do not like to be publicly
charged with using unlawful methods
of gaining monopoly control when We
with every other packer The report
apparently tried to prove that the
packers have obtained . monopoiistio
control through the ownership Of live
stock and refrigerator cars. stockyarda
and branch houses, and advocates that
the government acquire these faedn.
ties.
so far al Swift & Co. are concerned.
we are perfectly willing to let the
railroad administration decide whether
IL shall take over our livestock and
refrigerator cars. The principal thing
to be considered 10 whsther the pres
only reason we ever built our own re-
frigerator cars was that the railroads
did not furnish the equipment The
stockyards are already being ragu-
lated by the United States Department
Of Agriculture and we have NO OBJ
them over completely. IL 1t sees nt to
do so.
I'VE wish to point out. however.
that our company has become inter-
estsd in stockyards only for the pur-
pose OF providing proper market ia
cilities that did not otherwise exist
and that in such stockyards there are
open, competitive markets. with uni
form and reasonable charges for serv-
ices performed. It II difncuit to see
such action. In fact quite the oppo-
site effect might occur. We do not
believe that taking over the branch
houses and storage houses would be
practicable, as II would destroy per-
sonal responsibility and initiative In
product, where great skill acquired
only by long experience. Is necessary.
1t would also be risky experiment
in government operation that would
be Of doubtful benefit, even II success
full, and would undoubtedly react un-
kAvOAo ooAy okk aNe SssS> NeAeSos
Edward Morris views.
Edward Morris. president Of Norris
IDENTIFY desired to place the entire
stockyards and packing industry In
the hands of the railway administra-
tion.
He added that, with profits limited
to not over . per cent on the capital
Inv ~ sVwyA
ditions would Be Improved"
Statement by z. A. cudahy.
cSasSy MsM y feSK q. cud.sgy Asguips p.etnE s Conn
pany Of Chicago says. regarding the
report Of the Federal Trade Commis.
sion on the packing industry:
TT contains many sensational
charges, but q careful reading VIII
is much to be regretted that the com.
mission has made no statement re-
garding the fundamental facts which
govern the packing industry.
I'VE believe that the public is more
interested il .Sss ID, in the profs. It pays The h
gerated charges of manipulation and
monopoly. These fundamental facti
must not be lost sight of in consider.
ing the packing industry.
Tine puDliC ~ now p8yiuS Sus
packers only Q small fraction of cent
. pound profit for the meat 1t buys:
"2-Successful operation on this
small margin of profit depends upon
q large volume Of packing business.
,+8-The bulk Of meat products are
highly perishable and must b quick
ly distributed to the public.
.4s-The dimculties Of the retailer
should not be increased: already It ID
costing him Is to SO per cent to han
die meats.
"b-Out Of every dollar received BY
the packer, about 90 cents 10 paid
back to the live stock raiser. OF the
remaining 10 cents all is at present
being used in the process OF manufac-
ture and distribution. except about :
cents, which represents profits.
ANY one who will ponder these
facts win be disposed to 20 slow be-
fore committing himself to any
change that may upset the delicate
balance Of meat production. Until II
is determined whether the adminis-
tration is considering acting upon
this recommendation. great unosr-
tainty VIII exist"