The Washington herald., 1919-02-07
SWFT'S MONEY
USED TO DEFRAY
POLITICAL AIMS
Heney Delves Deeply Into
Correspondence Taken
from Packers.
ADMITTED BY COUNSEL
Names Of Taggart, Col
quit and Others Brought
Into Hearing.

Use Of Swift and Company's money
in campaign funds OF national and
State LEGISLATORS was indicated in the
packer hearing before the Senate
Agriculture Committee yesterday.
In the examination of Henry Weed
er. counsel for the company. Francis
J. Heney deIved deeply into CORE
spondence taken from Mr.. Veeder's
files by the Federal Trade Commis-
sion, and admissions as to the use OF
money were made by Mr.. Veeder. in
this connection the names of former
Representative Joseph Taggart, OF
Kansas; former Gov. Colquitt, OF
Texas, and others were brought into
the hearing.
Information as to the activities OF
Senators and Representatives favor
able to the interests of Swift and
Company and other packers was sug-
gested by the letters and testimony.
One OF the letters bearing on the
general legislative situation in
Washington and written to Mr.. Veeder
by r c. McManus, in 1911, follows:
Talk 1t to DEATH"
Garner. Of Ways and Means. is
earnestly trying to initiate a revenue
btu. with apparent excellent prospects.
We feel that there is no use to argue
now over changes or forms-anything
to get it out OF that committee. or
course. they have our address. I'm
derwoOd and Bankhead promise that IL
any mention is made OF revenue in
the House bill they will tack on oleo
in the Senate and talk opposition 10
death.
The danger is that a bond issue
only will be reported to meet the
deficit. The situation is far better
than we hoped for. The plan is for
Democratic caucus action in commit
tee and more or less secret. I will
try to post you by letter mailed to-
morrow Sunday evening.
Now on the BOrland. Harry Coleo
cOde) asked S. o. what he thought
OF an amendment to the agricultural
appropriation bill providing funds for
Secretary to make a study Of the
whole subject Of the production and
marketing Of beef. He thought this
would augment the Bureau of Mar.
kets' work and eIectually block OF
other efforts. It is evident that the
department has changed its mind a
little, having found that the market
bulletins are popular.
Sought SPECIFIC Plan.
t should wish to see the specific
plan before l voted and there is
plenty of time for US to consider
Uater) Johnson just came from the
Capitol very confident that both olec
and butter resolutions would be re.
ported out. Maybe will wire for you
- 1aaryA
things may happen quickly.
Can you mail check for sI.25t
Monday for W. p. ]. as one-quarter
annual retainer OF $4,000. He is al
work and it would start US right
G. F. S jr. o. KID it.
"R. {. NJ"
Under examination by Mr.. Heney
Mr.. Veeder admitted writing letters
10 NJ. W. Borders. Kansas City at
torney. relative to a contribution tC
the campaign fund of Mr Taggart
OF the Kansas City district In one
Of these he wrote Am willing tc
contribute in view of his being or
committees, etc" In a letter to L
A. Carton. treasurer Of Swift and
Company, requesting a check fol-
Ss5T-5I. part of a $1,000 campaign
fund for Mr.. TaEgart. Mr.. Veeder
said he wrote IF we do not con.
% bite we will probably be singled
0u by him TO our disadvantage.
TH was in 1914. and the check was
sem he said. early in 1915.
I'd you ever make contributions
20 he campaign funds OF other Rep.
re ntatives?" asked Mr.. Heney.
Contribution In 1912.
We did to one" answered Mr.,
Nccder. 1T is my recollection that
in 1912 we made a contribution 10
thc fund OF W. A. Rodenberg OF the
East St Louis Gllinois) district.
Later Mr.. Needer said that this
money may have been used in con-
nection with a campaign on the
Rodenberg primary.
That Swift & Co. contributed 10
a fund for Governor Colquitt, of
Texas, was indicated from Mr..
Needer to J. B. Googins. representa-
i've OF Swift & Co. at Fort Worth.
Mr.. Needer wrote that he had
agreed to pay $4,000 to Colquitt's
campaign fund, and that call had
been made for $333.33, one-third
OF the $1,000 already called for.
Mr.. Veeder said that only on two
or three occasions has his COMPANY
been asked to contribute to such
funds, aad that he had discounte-
nanccd such contributions.
When asked by Mr.. Veeder what
salary he received from Swift and
Company. he declined to answer, Mr.,
Heney said mention had been made
of a salary OF $1,000 per annum for
Mr.. Veeder.
Denial Of all charges made by E. c.
Lasater as a collusion between the
Food Administration and the big
packers was made in a statement OF
Food Administrator Hoover read be-
fore the House Interstate Commerce
Committee by W. A. Glasgow, jr.,
counsel for the administration.
According to the statement the
charges had been inspired by per-
sonal animosity and were without
foundation.