Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-11
BILL INTRODUCED
IN HOUSE AIMED
AT MEAT TRUST
Gives Government Control
of Facilities for Han
ding Products.
DOES NOT MAKE PROVISION
FOR TAKING OVER PLANTS
But Would Direct Transport,
Marketing and Storing of
Packing Output.
LICENSE SYSTEM is PROPOSED
With Alternative Of Governmental
Operation If Essential to Rcsto-
ration OF Competition.
DOES NOT MAKE PROVISION
FOR TAKING OVER PLANTS
LICENSE SYSTEM is PROPOSED

WASHINGTON. December 10. = An
administration bill designed to regu-
rate the packing industry and prevent
an alleged tendency of the big five"
toward monopoly was introduced in
tne House to-day by Representative
Sims Democrat. of Tennessee, chair
man OF the Interstate and Foreign
Commerce Committee.
Recommendation for such legisla-
ton was made by the Federal Trade
Commission and approved Oy President
wilson. Mr.. Sims stated
The bin was referred TO Chairman
Simss committee end he will call it
up at the earliest opportunity. When
N }ne C., committee unit concludes consideration
Tho specific purpose Of the proposed
tnntasurc IS declared to be TO insure
tree channel OF commerce for meat
animals and the products derived from
them, and also keep such business free
from complications with commerce in
c;her sorts OF commodities
IN the objects Of The bin is Intended to
Guides In permanent form many Of the
powers now being exercised by tenn
posary or permanent governmental
The President. would be authorized
10 designate such agencies as he may
Granted m IN mae nhe bis lIe OF wbe,e Inc powers
part The taking over OF any packing
ncusn plants Is not contemplated. The
proposed Legislation offers an a!tcrua-
dent. either TO actually acquire and op-
crate tho machinery and facilities for
marketing. transporting and storing
them Tor. the United states govorn-
ment and license their opera ton i Or
4.
meat packing indGstry under Ia syse ys
tenn OF direct Federal license Author
i,y would rd1,, be given TO acquire, and op;
FOR, the transportation OF live% stock
and It's products. as we'll as stockyards,
cold storage and freezing plants and
Preslden. for the leasing and md opera,c at
permitted by the bill would be to IL
censs the use or such facilities with
out acquiring them.
LOOKS TO GENERAL
SYSTEM OF LICENSING
\ final alternative looks to the L..
! ccnsing OF All persons, partnerships
anu corporations engaged in meat
packing in interstate commerce with
respect TO the operation OF tina; bust
ness and with respect 10 any !ntercst
direct or indirect. which the iicensee
may nave in any other sort OF inter
state commerce.
4 revolving fund of $4,000. 900 is
provided for, to be used by one or
more CORPORA ions to be created for
regulatory measures. In formal state
ment. Mr.. Sims said conct rninE the bill:
me hNe large packers substantially
control the marketing Of live stock
and of the products derived from live
stock
lin the Interest Of producer and
consumer II seems that the govern
ment must effectively regulate these
packers 30 far as they are or tend 10
become monopoly: must prevent the
must restore n full measure Of free
competition.
The problem is the difficult one OF
restoring competition in an industry
which has once been brought under
monopol!stic control
1T appears that certain large pack
Ing concerns have taken over certain
functions which properly belong to the
railroads as common carriers by furn-
lshing refrigerator cars and other es-
pecially equipped cars. Their competi-
tors. if they are unable to secure the
necessary type of car from the rail-
road. must either buy such cars for
themselves or hire them from competf-
tors owning such cars.
WOULD DECLARE FOR
FREE AND OPEN MARKETING
In word. the Congress would, by
enactment of this bill. say to the
PRESIDENT that there must be free and
open marketing of live stock and meats
rilities and that II. is eXpected TO
bring this about and is authorized TO
exercise SO much or so little of the
powers granted as will bring this
ABOUT.
Under this bill /, would be abso-
!utely up to the industry to say hy
acceptance or resistance how far gov
ernmental power Shall be exercised.
IF government ownership of any of
these facilities shall come. II will oniy
be because OF resistance to the less "X :.
IRENE rem edies provided. anl which
! should he entirely adequate
"It seems that the control of tho
terminal facilities. that is the stock
yards and live stock markets. by the
large packers is restriction on com
petition in buying. and naturally af-
'fects prices for that reason. This is
equally true of the refrigerated stor-
\ ge for meats--the cold storage houses
and freezing plants.
"The bill proposes to empower tho
President to control by license the use
of all instruments for carrying on the
packing business. except the packing
houses themselves and. II need be, to
supplement the licensing power by ac-
tuai lease or purchase by tn, govern
ment of such facilities. except the pac!:-
ing houses.
"similarly., the discretionary license
control Is given over the business con-
. duct OF all who engage in the business
l or meat-packing in interstate COM
|. merce and this includes also. tho power
= to control by license the txt.ns son ny
those fields OF commerce relating to
meat substitutes md otacr comnodi-
ties not directly related TO tho meat
packing business.
Gables Are Wrecked.
W NEW YORK. December 10-Cable
congestsion5: 5:,a to which d has been at
Is dSe 10 the faey sas tas
Y anvsn Of the flfteen cable lines In the