New-York tribune., 1919-01-25
L ackers Advise
Federal Check
On Meat Price
Swift and Armour Agree
i'll Advocating Regulation
Until Times Are Normal
Stable Market Is Desired
Licensing System Opposed
and Interest in Wilson
Famine Measure Denied

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Regulation
OF livestock prices so as to assure a
stable market, either through continu-
ing the food administration or by cs-
tabllshing some similar system of con-
troll. was discussed to-day before Con-
gressional committees by presidents of
two meat packing firms which do an
annual business Of about $2,0O0,00O,-
OOO
Louis f. Swift, of Swift G. Co., con-
Guiding an appearance of two days be-
fore the House Interstate Commerce
Committee, said a stable price over
periods of production was desirable,
and declared if food administration re-
strlctlons were removed now disaster
would result.
j. Ogden Armour, of Armour & Co.,
told the Senate Agriculture Committee
that some means of assuring price
level would be agreeable to the pack
ers, repeating reasons he had outlined
earlier before the House Committee
Members Of each committee evinced
considerable interest in the statements
of the packers, and Representative Ste
phcns. of Nebraska, announced he
ment agency to control prices ire
spectlve Of war conditions.
Armour Questioned by Heney
The examination of Mr. Armour de-
veloped new interest late to-day when
the Senate committee asked Francis j.
Heney, who conducted the Federal Trade
Commissions meat packing inquiry, to
question the witness. Unfairness Of
method and inaccuracy in deduction are
some OF the complaints which the pack
ers have made against the commits
sion's inquiry, and Senator Page, of
Vermont, inquired if the committees
hearing was to degenerate into pros
ecution' Levy Mayer, counsel for Mr..
Armour, consented to the examination
on being accorded the privilege OF
questioning witnesses.
Violent fluctuations of prices were
predicted by Mr.. Swift if food admins-
Sration control should be removed
Like Mr. Armour, however, he seemed
dubious that government control over
the sale of live stock at agreed prices
would be practicable in normal times,
declaring the success of the food ad
ministration guarantee of a minimum
price for meat animals had been due
to the fact that the administration
dominated the market through control
"Anything that will make for
steady average price is better than the
same price reached through sharp de-
clines and increases" Mr.. Swift said.
He added that constructive co0pera-
ton" would accomplish more than any
thing else, but that this was in viola
ton Of the Sherman law
Licensing Idea Opposed
Chairman Sims asked Mr.. Swift if
the licensing feature of food admins-
tration control had not been of great
benefit, but the witness did not agree,
declaring the success achieved had
been due to cooperation between pro-
ducers, packers and government rep
resertatives.
a bin to regulate the meat packing
industry is pending before the commit
tee, containing a licensing clause which
the packers have opposed vigorously as
threatening the extinction of the busi-
ness.
"Wouldn't it be advisable to extend
in some form for this year, or until
normal conditions are restored. the
licensing or food control now exercised,
without passing any other part Of this
bill or by amending the food control
law?" asked Mr.. Sims.
Il think it would be advisable to ex-
tend the Food Administrations control
until after peace" Mr. Swift said. at
has cut down our profits, but we are
satistied
Mr.. Swift took occasion to say that
passage of the S10O,OOOO0O famine re-
le+ appropriation would not benefit the
packers because they expected sufti-
cient demand to take all their prod
ucts, despite the enormous supplies ac-
cumulated at war prices. Representa-
tive Hamilton had asked about reports
that the English people refused to eat
great quantities of preserved pork since
the war. crisis had passed and that the
appropriation was to enable it to be
sent to Southeastern Europe.
~ - I'VE thd; find @ the English people are buy
ham, etc" Mr.. Swift said
u didn't anticipate you were going to
scnd ~ cents pound bacon to those
other people," said Mr.. Hamilton
Expenditure of 100000 last vear to
connteract Federal Trade Commission
"propaganda" and the employment Of
thomas f. Logan, of Washington. a
former newspaper man, to advise Swift
co. regarding publicity attracted
co'!Ss'uerapie interest from members
OF the committee. Henry Veeder, coun-
sci lor swift a. Co., insisted that the
expenses came out of stockholders
proflts and not out of consumers.
ANY expense SO unessential is q nub-
llc injury in a business SO vital to thc
country, because otherwise YOU could
reduce your prices that much" de-
clared Chairman Sims. at is such
things that have put bad taste in
the public's mouth as to the packing
Industry"