Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-12
Saturday, July II, 1919.
Meat Trust to Control All Food.

WOas tTOot 10 SoOtToi Su Too0'
The report to the President by the
Federal Trade Commission after in
bearing on the Extent and growth
Of power of the five packers in meat
and other industries" is an interest
ing-most people will think alarming
revelation of the ramifications of
commercial power generated and
projected by five great trade organi-
cations, alleged in secret conjunction
while apparently in competition. This
report sounds a national warning of
the approaching domination of all the
important articles of food in this
country, and an international control
of meat products with foreign COM
panies. The chief recommendation Of
this commission is fundamental &C.
ton to halt a trade monster that
menaces the welfare of the people
and holds the very life of millions in
the grasp of developing power and
greed.
The Federal Trade Commission de-
clares that interviewer in the history
of the amazing growth Of these great
concerns are illegal combinations.
rebates, undisclosed control Of cor
porations, and ability to attain the
goal of monopoly with the ruin Of
competitors. 1t points to the
jeopardy Of competitors so long as
they have not the knowledge of true
ownership. and declares that the pub
lie is entitled to such knowledge.
knowledge Of these conditions and
the constant and rapid increase of
the menace. has been general; but
proof has been lacking and tangible
evidence on which Congress could
act impossible without the authority
of government inquiry and official
facts. Now such facts are in the
hands of the administration. Con-
gress and the people.
What is to be done about it? In
slant, voluminous, persistent and
cunning defense Is forthcoming. Can
the wool be pulled over the eyes Of
Congress by this gigantic CONNER
cial polyp? Not If the people deter
mine to release themselves from the
sucking and Tightening tenta-
cles, as they threw of the hideous
grasp Of Prussianism.
Newspaper denunication Of the
meat trust has largely gone in at one
ear and out at the other. of the pub
lie. as Sensational and irresponsible"
Now something tangible is in hand
and the public has its duty to i'm
press upon Congress a countrywide
demand for drive" to end profiteer-
ing. trade competition smothering.
and monopoly of all sorts. 1t is a
dragon that must be slain. and there
must be League of Consumers that
will guarantee slaughter of all off,
spring that cannot be harnessed and
worked.
The Peace Treaty and League of
Nations Covenant are not the only
big problems in sight. In the re-
ferred to report we have proof of
greed colossal and puissant. BY the
enforcement of a whim this trade
giant can squeeze millions from the
public in single hour. Honest bid
ders for share of public patronage
can be swept from the path of the
mammoth. as minnows are brushed
aside by Triton.
The Federal Trade Commission in
Part I of its report. tells US that the
Big Five" packers are. jointly or
separately. welding controlling in
terest in 574 companies. minority in
terest in IS others. and undetermined
interest in SO. and that they deal in
IT'S commodities. largely food
products-not only all meats but all
meat substitutes. SO that when we
turn from the high cost of meats for
relief they rake in the dollars we in
nocently offer for foods that take
the place of meats.
And these same food dominating
combinations are in public utilities all
around US, in banking institutions
(the financial concerns where COM
petitors borrow money!. in salt,
packing materials. fertilizer, crude
animal products. leather. butter,
oleomargarine. lard and lard substi-
tutes. soap and glue: in eggs. cheese
and poultry. rice and breakfast foods.
canned vegetables. soda fountains and
supplies: all kinds of fruit. fresh and
canned, cottonseed oil and street car
lines. II you point to chicken feed or
wire fencing. to builders hardware
or binding Irvine. to lumber. cement
or plaster, brick. sand. gravel or
roonng. condiments. beverages or
coal you hit the interests of THE
Packers"
working In harmony. these I'VE
great commercial systems have been
developed into monopoly. Their dis.
tributins systems are reaeb,nv ,r..
and roofing in evsry soil on earth.
Local slaughterers. and .to.,. =