Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-08-07
PROSECUTION OF.
CHICAGO PACKERS
ORDERED BY j. S.
BIG 5 MUST FACE TRIAL AS
TRUST-PALMER HINTS THERE
WILL BE CRIMINAL SUIT-|O
ORDER ARREST OF PROF.
TIERS.

Washington Aug 1-Developmelts
in the governments war on the hlsh
cost of living came on so fast and so
decisively today that it was apparent
in the nationwide fight to cut the
prices of foods and other necessities
to the size of the average MAJ 5 peck
etbook.
Here are the most important de-
velCpements
President Wilson declined sug'
ses;ion of Republican Leader Mondel
in the House that he postpone ms
address to Congress on the high Cost
of living from Friday to next Tuesday
The president went ahead with pans
10 speak at o'clock Friday afternoon
Attorney General Palmer anlounc'
ed the bringing Of antitrust suits
against the ti~S great packing con
Germs - Armour Swift, Wilson, Nor
ris, and Cudahy.
Al iIe odnt tlHlc tEtS 'hsNSi~'N'
General ordered all agents of the De.
partment of Justice TO arrest proil'
teers, hoarders and other eontriou
tors to earring food costs.
First Arrests are Made
The first arrests came in Plttsbur5,
where concerl was wholeSallnS
sugar al II cents pound.
Food boards may be c0ntiscated by
the government.
ntermingled with the cost of nv
ing 11tuation was the decision OF The
senate interstate commerce committee
TO notify the President that it disa-
greed with mis- suggestion tor spec
ial wage board to deal with railway
emploFes' demands The committee
holds the President already has suf-
ticient authority to deal with the stu
alton.
The antitrust suits against the big
meat packers will egin at once.
Whether the prosecutions would be
civil or cimi1al. the Attorney Gen
cidl uNt44htu ~ Sldtf, uAtlels iCAaiA'
ing The law provlding for both,
The history of all the governments
anti-trnss prosecutions in twenty-five
years does not show single indiyid-
ual eyer serving jail sentence for a
violation. There are evidences that
the government hopes for some in
the present campaign.
Isidor J. kresel of the New York
law firm of Jerome, Rand & krese!
will have charge of the case. and Mr..
Palmer said he would be given such
assistance by the Department Of JUS
tice as the case seems to warrant"
Packers are Trust
Attorney General Palmer aanounc-
ed that The evidence before the feder-
al trade commission and committees
of Congress indicated a clear viola
ten of the antitrust lava" and thst
he had ordered prompt action &C.
cordingly,'
Mr.. kresei, the man who Will be
in direct charge OF the prosecutions,
ed the evidence submitted. He has
had wide experience in handing pro
secutlon@, it was said, both as assist
ant 10 District Attorney Jerome OF
New York and in private practice.
MIR. Palmer said he had used MI
kresel in some of the most intricate
and eXactilg work connected with
the office OF alien property custodian,
where It was essential to show capa
bility in sitting evidence.
In public announcement Mr.. Pal
mer said
The Department of Justice has
made a careful review of the evl-
dence developed by the investigation
into the combination OF packers, both
by the Federal Trade Commission
and and the hearings before the com
mittees of Congress
This review has been made by
lawyers peciaIy retained for the
purpose and their report is now il
hand. | am satisfied that the evil
de1ce adduced indicates clear VIC.
1ation of the antitrust laws, and
prompt action will be taken accord.
ingly.
Fur her proceedings. to be under
the immediate direction of the De.
partment Of Justice, Will be in charge
OF lsid0r J. Kresel, of the law firm Of
Jerome, Rand & kresel of New YORK
who WI ne given such assistance as
the case seems to warrant"
BY combination of packers" Mr.
Palmer said, he meant Swift & Co,
Armour Il Co, Morris &, CO. the
Eudahy Packing Company and VII.
son 4 Co.