The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-02-14
SWIFT ADMITS CHARGES

SWIFT ADMITS CHARGES
over at the other end Of the cap
ltol there's a different story. The
senate committee on agriculture in
Guides Gore of Oklahoma, Norris Of
NeDrasga, Kenyon of Iowa, Gronna
OF North Dakota and France of Mary
land, at least, who feel response
blllty for protecting the people of the
United States against the packers
grating. This week they have had
Armour, Swift, Levy Mayer and
Judge Glasgow of the food admins
tratlon on the stand, and they have
helped Francis J. Heney to drive
Swift over the toughest going of
oWlft's career since he was on trial
Tor conspiracy in restraint of trade
Swift admitted everything that the
federal trade commission has charged
with regard to the packers, except
one point: He claimed that when
each of the Big Five maintained a
certain percentage of the business,
year after year, in each market, that
was not proof of combination among
them, but of competition"
At one point Swift and Veeder
tried to get the committee into a po-
sition where, if it questioned them,
the packers could claim immunity
from prosecution under the federal
law. Norris and Kenyon at once
Jumped on that proposition, and
Heney refused to proceed until the
packers definitely waived all claim of
immunity.
WHO is "DIAMOND TT"
One of the most sensational points
in the examination of Swift was
reached when the Diamond 7" letter
was read, and Swift admitted that the
name "Hurley" written upon it
Clocks like my handwriting" This
letter was received by Swift from
Washington, and gave the packers
advance information as to how the
| federal trade commission was to con-
duct the investigation of their bust
ness. 1t suggested that the packers
prepare at once to make their show
ing as to costs and prices. On the up
per corner Of the letter was the let.
ter at" inside a diamond-shaped de-
sign. One of the senators asked
whether Swift thought the letter CIV
could possibly stand for "Tumulty.'
Swift thought it did not. He denied
that the letter came from Thomas F
Logan, the "social lobbyist" who got
$4,000 year from the packers fol
mysterious "advice.'
UNEMPLOYMENT GROWS
But most issues are less serious
lust at this moment, than the issue o.
unemployment, complicated by thu
fact that more than a million mer
have been released from the army
/ and navy. Both Democrats and Re
publicans are worried by the scraps
of information that come in from
New York, Chicago and elsewhere
showing that conditions are rapidly
getting worse.
In New York City, it is estimated
there are today more than 10000 dis
charged soldiers idle and either brok
or within few days of restitution
In Chicago there are $4,000 Negro
graduates of the army camps, wait
ing for good jobs and not getting
them in any considerable numbers
The copper mines in Michigan, Mon
tana. Utah, Nevada and Arizona ar
gradually closing down, due to lac'
of immediate market for the product
and 10000 men are already idle iron
that one source.
A congressman asked a level-head
l ed public official recently what Woul
baDpen if the unemployed IN NeN
Work and the East generally Shout
begin to riot. The answer OF the OF
fetal was that such a point must no
be reached, because, in his Judgmen
the troops now in this country Wer
not in a state of mind to be depenoe
upon to "obey orders" where the Ut
EMPLOYED were involved.
WHEAT GUARANTEE PLAN
Tn contrast to the plans put OF
more or less under the urging Oh IN
. milling trust involving the appropr
! alton of vast sum to maintain th
: Guaranteed wheat price, Congress
man Young of North Dakota advise
: holding up this price in the Unite
; States. He points out that lowe
. ,,,hoat nrices in Europe may be chief
; H. r,,uor and that the action prt
: nosad bv the milling interests woul
:. : itself tend to break the Europea