Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-01-16
HOOVER CHARGED
WITH RETAINING
PACKER ENPLOYE
Heney Says Dollar A Year
Men In Food Administra-
ticn Received Princely
Salaries From Meat Deal
ers-1917 Profits Declared
To Be Scandalous.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15-Francis J.
Iieney OF san Francisco, who was chief
counsel for the federal trade commits
sion in its investigation of the meat
packing industry, told the senate agri-
culture committee today that Swift and
company had packed" the food ad-
miulstration with dollar a year men,"
who received large salaries from the
company at the time they We're serv-
ing the government.
Mr., Heney who was appearing in
support of the Kendrick BILL for gov
crument regulation of the meat indus
try, said Food Administrator Hoover
sought to stop him from making pub
Tic letters criticizing retention by the
administration Of w. +. Priebe, while
the latter still was in the employ of
Swift and company.
Mr. Hoover, according to the wit
ness, appealed to President Wilson,
saying that publication of the letters
was hindering the food administration.
Mr. Hency said he was recalled from
Chicago. where he was working in the
commissions investigation of the pack
crs, and found on his arrival here that
the president had advised the COM
mission that he had no instructions
to offer, but hoped that head-on col
Hsion would be avoided"
Priebe not Removed
The witness said Mr.. Priebe had
charge Of fixing poultry prices for the
food administration, and that while so
acting he received a regular salary
from Swift and company, with a per-
centage Of the income of Priebe and
company. This company, Mr.. Heney
said, was owned by Swift and COM
pany.
Many of the complaints against
Priebe, the witness declared, charged
that he, through various orders, was
working in the interest of Swift and
company. Heney said he told Mr..
Hoover Priebe should be removed, but
the food administrator declined to take
such action, Whereupon an agreement
was reached that Heney would make
public no more letters without first
advising Mr.. Hoover Of their char
acter
Mr. Heney told the committee that
other employees of Swift and company,
who received salaries from the COM
pany while working with the food ad-
milnistation, were E. 0. Heyl, who had
charge of fixing prices on canned
goods II. 3. Collins and c. Z. S.
Brooks. Heyl later resined under fire,
Henev said Collins and Heyl, he as
serted. received $4,000 a year from
the company.
- The witness said that Joseph 7. Co.
ton, head of the food administration
meat division, was a man of high in
tegrity, but was unfit for the job OF
regulating the packers" Mr.. Heney
said Mr.. Cotton had admitted to him
that the profits Of the packers in 1911
were "scandalous."
Swift and company's profits, yeaI
before last, We're S47000000 IF you be-
lieve the books,' said Mr.. Heney. This
compared with $6,500,0O0 a year, during
the three pre-war years, according to
the witness.
Replying to questions by Senator
Kenyon of Iowa and others, Mr. Heney
said the commissions hearings in con-
nection with the investigation of the
packers had been brought to a close
sooner than had been planned, be-
cause of lack Of funds, and the desire
of the president that a report be made
as early as possible.
Asked if Influence had not been
working against him, Mr.. Heney said;
II think there were a lot of influ-
ences that worked to end my activities
but | don't think those influences had
any effect upon the committees deci-
sion to end the hearings
Mr.. Heney will appear before the
committee again tomorrow.