The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-25
PACKERS WORKED
TO HEAD 1T OFF
Concerted Effort to Prevent Searching
Governmental Probe, Revealed
by Federal Trade Com
mission.

i
by Federal Trade Com
| mission.
| UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.l
/ WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Concerted
effort by the nations packers to pre-
vent searching governmental probe
of their industry was revealed by the
federal trade commission today.
| Correspondence between representa-
t.ves Of the packers and the ''big
chiefs" was read at hearings sudden
ly resumed this morning by the COM
mission. Designs on the political lives
OF legislators interested In inaugural
ing investigation of the industry, were
revealed in the correspondence.
| The packers were concerned with
attempts to probe them as early as
December, 1915. it was shown. Con-
fidential memoranda from packers rep
resentatives in Washington were in
troduced, showing the interest in Rep
Iresentative Borland's resolution Of
February, 1916. seeking to launch the
inquiry.
Political pressure was brought to
bear on members of the house COM
- .zmsssddis4s-.ss.--as; hall 10 defca. it
before it reached the floor, one mem
orandum said
Another attacked the activity of
Representative Doolittle in connec-
ton with the proposed frYestigatta8.>
"Doolittle is boy Of small ability"
1k, hackers represeheA ote. He
thinks he sees an opportunity to Sc
cure prominence in politics. This
must be checked"
But, at that time, the packers ap-
parently expected help from powerful
sources, the testimony showed.
There are these points in our ia
vor," one memorandum introduced,
said. This administration has not
disturbed the business by prosecution
and does not wish to be known as ap-
pealing to the mob spirit 1t has not
wished to spend money, as it's finances
are in bad shape. 1t must come to
the corporations soon for money be-
cause the convention is close at hand.
Besides congressman wish to at
tend to their political fences
Continuing, the memoranda, all Of
which were gathered by federal trade.
commission Investigators, reported
that the packers should look to a gen.
eral plan Or allaying unrest evident
among cattle raisers
1t was shown in the correspondence
that so long as the federal government
could be kept out Of the case, the
packers have no real worry.
Chief Investigator Francis ]. Heney
read into the record minutes of Sc.
cret meeting held in the Office of Thorn
as E Wilson, president of Wilson and
Co, March II, 1917 These minutes
disclosed that the packers deemed it
advisable to seek aid from certain
members Of congress.
This decision resulted in a letter
of introduction to Senator James W.
Wadsworth, Jr.. being given to r. c.
McManus, general attorney for Swift
and company. The letter said:
I'VE need some advice. Any help
you can give the bearer will be appre-
ciated."
The signature Of Louis F. Swift was
attached, Heney showed.
1t was brought out in other cores
pondence introduced by Heney that the
packers were kept informed daily by
telegraph of activities of various cat
tie raisers organizations
A letter-signed by T. w Tomlin-
son, secretary of the American Ma
tional Live Stock association-was
read, advising the packers that pro-
posed legislation being supported by
ned in Washington Tomlinson advis-
ed the packers to be ready to defeat
surprise legislation"
Heney called attention to the fact
that Senator Wadsworth is a heavy
stakeholder in Swift and Co.
| 1t was shown that in numerous ways
the packers planned to mould public
sentiment and force congressman to
lay off, of any anti-packer legisla-
| ton. The schemes were far-reaching
and included aid from government en-
ployes. In this connection the name
of E. Dana Durand, former director
of the census was frequently mention
ed. Heney declared that Durand was
the tool Of the packers and was used
by them to get inside" information.
| One letter was introduced, giving
Durand instructions to ''get to his
| friends on the federal trade commits
sion" The letter was signed by r. G.
McManus, general attorney for Swift.
When Durand returned to Chicago at
ter his visit to Washington, he report
ed. SO correspondence showed, that
the federal trade commission would
not start anything
! Heney made it plain to the commits
sion at this point that the files and
ireCOTQS ne mao DSen dDle 10 OuIdl4l
from the packers were very incom-
plete.
These files show that considerable
combing has been DONE" Heney said.
He intimated this alleged expugn-
ing of the records was done while the
packers delayed granting permission
to the investigators to examine them.
ondon View of Soeech