The Washington times., 1919-10-16
SEES BIG PACKERS
AS FOOD OCTOPUS

Sounding the warning that II their
power remains unchecked" the "Big
Five" Chicago meat packers may be-
Ieome masters in any field they
lchoOse." the Federal Trade Commis-
sion today charged that the "Big
Five" now handle a large percentage,
IN some cases nearly 90 per cent, Of
the country's total production OF more
than 200 foods unrelated to the meat
packing industry, either as products
or by-products.
The charge was made IN the fourth
part Of the commissions report to
President Wilson on its investigation
Of the meat industry, which was made
public today.
The big Five" packers-Armour,
Swift, Wilson, Cudahy and Morris
have entered the wholesale grocery
trade. the commission further charged.
and in practically all the more inn
lportant centers Of distribution they
bid fair TO dominate a field which a
few years ago was almost exclusively
occupied by the independent provi-
sion jobber and wholesale grocer"
That the commission will recon-
mend to President Wilson THAI he ask
which the 'Big Five" and other pack
rs be permitted to enter unrelated
God lines, was indicated in the re-
Oort by the statement that this 10
matter which the public interest
alone should determine"
The report states that IN this issue
here Is involved the question as 70
the ultimate effect Of such vast and
powerful organizations on the politi-
al and social fabric Of American in
titutions."
The more than 200 unrelated foods
alleged TO be handled by the Big Five
were classified in the report under
the divisions OF poultry and game
products; dairy products, grocery
foods-including cereals and various
breakfast foods; lard and butter sub
/ stitutes, canned and dried vegetables.
canned and dried fruits and preserves,
canned, cured, and frozen fish, condi-
ments and relishes Of all kinds, and
sundries, such as cocoa, coffee, honey,
| molasses, peanut butter, and cane,
corn and maple syrups. In addition
/ to this, Armour & Co.. the report al
I legged, were found to be engaged in
handling 1s4 soda fountain prepara-
tions and nineteen soda fountain
utensils.
the meat industry and Of perishable,
canned, and packaged foods has de-
veloped that the large packers are
rapidly securing a strong position in
the production Of many, and In the
distribution OF nearly all, kinds OF
| food stufis," the report sets forth.
The Big Five packers have divided
the food speciality field among them
selves, each Of them concentrating TO
obtain control in particular lines, the
report declared. AS an instance of
this, the report stated that while
Armour claims the largest business id
cheese in the country, this place Is
/ conceded to Swift in butter and poul-
! try. In cheese, there Is a division OF
| factories, according to the report, and
in. butter and poultry 3 division OF
territory.
The report cited the alleged trans
portation advantage granted the Big
Five packers BY the railroads, and
stated that until they are "shorn OF
these there is no way Of measuring
their true industrial efficiency"
The Big Five packers together
operate 44.8 per cent OF the total cold
storage capacity OF the country, IL
| further was charged. OF the total
stocks Of dressed poultry held in cold
storage on March 81, 1918, 42.77 per
cent was held by the i've large pack
ers; Of eggs, 2O26 per cent; butter.
/ 38.s per cent, and OF cheese, 1886 per
cent