The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-03
Nv WILLIAM r. SANBORN.

BY WILLIAM r. SANBORN.
Let us state at the outset that the
writer holds no brief for the big pack
ers-his opinion does not concern
them in the least. We are not inter
ested in fighting their battles, nor DC
they in the minutest degree, need Oui
assistance in the moulding Of public
opinion.
Let us say, furthermore. that re-
gardless of what has been said that
the public at large. as we'll as the
majority of stock raisers, in parucu
lar, really do need to know the truth
regarding livestock operations. The,
need to know the facts as to owner
ship OF stockyards, the truth rs tC
competitive buying Of livestock by the
packers In all the great markets: anc
what the profits of the packers are
and have been over a series Of years
This would filter and sweeten the air
Facts Of Public Interest.
You have read numerous advertise
ments printed for the packers and
detailing facts Of which the public
have not even dreamed. Facts. mark
you, Of which no congressional com
mittee has ever been really aware
In all instances, and covering a mum
Der Of years, the packers have never
been permitted to present their side
OF the case in open court. Why not!
Ask the politician and other interest
ed parties.
But during the discussion or hearing
Cn a bin in January last providing
@br the acquisition and ownership, OF
Tor the regulation, control and opera
ton by the government, Of stockyards
exchange buildings, rendering plants
serum plants, market newspapers, cat
tie cars, cold storage and branch
houses, etc, ]. Ogden Armour was in
vited to make statement as to the
operations of Armour and company.
Now what Mr.. Armour said, you
will. or should, find better reading
than any best seller Of the past hall
century. His testimony deals with
vital economic truths; with real con
ditions, and not with imagination OF
theory 1t relates vitality to the wei
fare Of the entire nation and not mere
ly to the question of higher or
lower cost of the meat upon millions
Of tables today. or on year from TO
day.
ANY thoughtful man who reads Mr.
Armour's statement must become I'M
pressed with his truthfulness and ao'
solute sincerity. To allow the pack
ing trade to become the pie counter Oh
politicians would largely destroy the
greatest, the most far reaching 1ndus
try in the United States. 1t makes
one gasp to contemplate what may De
reasonably expected to happen, and
what the public might be expected 70
nav for governmental and polltlcal
rather than for competitive sei!lns
and distribution Of meats. AND wnen
Won have demoralized the packing In
dustry you have unsettled the I'VE.
stock markets of the nation, ano
brought panic to farmers everywhere
And while the falling of in beer, NUT
ton and pork production mlgnt III
crease the acreage Of potatoes or SUI
gar beets it would also cut down poth
the price and production OF corn, nay
and other feeding crops.
Not In Any Combination.
In answer to a question by Chalr-
man Colver, Mr.. Armour categorlcaliy
denied that Armour e. Co. are part
of any combination or pool, or that
they have any agreement, whatever
as to the control, regulation or restrlc-
tion of the purchase Of livestock, or
the sale of any of the products there-
OFF He further stated that: There Is
not and has not for many years peen
anv arrangement Of any kind what-
ever, which in any POSSIBLE way sup
ports these charges
In brief. Mr.. Armours tesuhony
was to the effect that his mousse Is Is
paddling its own canoe, just as II
there were no other packers III .ne
market He said there was no olvi-
sion of territory, nor any price hAlnS'
in the remotest degree.
This is, admittedly, contrary 10 pup
lie opinion and to the prevailing III,
pression for many years; regaruless
Of the present status. we nave peeh
inclined to blame the packers com,
hination" for the slumps In livestock
,,r,ces and for the high cost OF meats'
A. Armour admitted that many years
80 ..tbere was some sort Of an unoer-
~tanding between the packers, ou.
"a. Testimony is now to the erect lhaI
raoI and very active competition eA.
ssts He claims that the house OF
Armour iealously guards its trace III
averv market and that 1t is constantly
syhting to enlarge its business, Anu
wbv not? Armour profits ana uivr
dends come out Of Armour earnings
and not from those of any other MOUSE
g., tho Industry. 1t is further matleI
NJ continuous expansion, OF "orln
nrestige and of pride in achievement
Tha reading OF Mr.. Armours state
vents confirms this view, ana leaos
=. ~ natural conclusion that his COM