The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-11
BILL To REGULATE
PACKING INDUSTRY
IS INTRODUCED
Measure Said to Have
Approval of Presi-
dent Wilson.
CUR B MONOPOLY
Would Insure Free Com
petitive Markets-Not
Take Over
Plants.
Gu r B MONOPOLY

Washington. Dec. fO.-An adj
nfinistration bill designed to regu-
late the packing industry and
prevent an alleged tendency OF
the big five" toward n monopoly,
was introduced In the house to-
day by Representative Sims
tDenocraU. OF Tennessee, chair
man or the interstate and foreign
commerce committee.
Recomm enda ton for such legisla
ton was made by the Federal Trade
commission and approved by Presi
dent Wilson. MIR. SIMS stated
The bill was referred 10 Chairman
Sims committee ana he will call it up
at the earliest opportunity. When
the committee concludes considera-
| ton of the bill. Mr. Sims will press
for action by the house.
The specific purpesse OF the pro-
posed measure is declared to be to
insure free competitive markets and
to open "A free channel OF commerce
for meat animals and the products
derived from them and also keep such
business free from pIicAiions with
commerce III other sorts Of com
m ODDITIES"
The machinery 10 put into effect the
objects of the bill Is intended to ne
OF a permanent character and in
cludes in permanent form many Of
the powers now being exercised by
temporary or permanent govern
mental agencies.
The president would be authorized
tn designate such agencies as he may
see til to Make use of the powers
granted in the bin. i'll whole or in
part. The taking over of any pack
iug-house plants is nofSkontemrlated.
The proposed legislati] offers an
alternative. at the dis1ation of the
president. either to actually acquire
and operate the machinery and
facilities for marketing. transporting
and storing packing-house products.
or acquire them for the United States
government and license their opera
ton: or without acquiring them TO
place the meat packing industry
under system OF direct federal
license. Authority would he given to
acquire and operate rolling stock
especially equipped for the transpor-
tation OF live stock and its products.
as well IS stock yards. cold storage
and freezing plants and the necessary
appurtenances relating thereto. The
power A. given - tssa president fer
the ,aasissg and ,AsIaef m r. Ns1ifJh ssToR
ertS. third plan permitted by the
bill would be to license the use of
such facilities without acquiring
them.
Licensing Of Persons.
A final alternative looks 10 the
licensing of all persons. partnerships
and corporations engaged in meat
packing in interstate commerce with
respect 10 the operation OF that bust
ness and with respect 10 any interest.
direct or indirect. which the licensee
may have in any other sort of inter
state commerce,
A revolving fund of $500. 0oo, 600
is. provided tor, to be used by one or
more corporations to be created for
the administration OF the proposed
regulatory measures. In formal
statement. MIR. Sims said concerning
the bill:
The five large packers substantially
control the marketing OF live stock and
OF the products derived from live stock
In the interest of producer and con-
sumner, II seems that the government
must effectively regulate these pack
ers so far as they are or tend to be-
come a monopoly; must prevent the
extension OF monopolistic tendency and
must restore full measure OF flee
comps tition.
THE problem is the difficult one of
restoring competition in an industry
which has once been brought under
monopolistic control.
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
retitors. IL they are unable to secure
the necessary type of car from the
railroad. must either buy such cars for
themselves or hire them from compete
tors owning such cars.
Free and Open Market.
In word the congress, would by
enactment of this bill. say to the presi-
dent that there must be free and open
LCoxs4isas..>sI