The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-20
PACKERS SIDE OF THE
MEAT CONTROVERSY

/ terests throughout the country are
evincing considerable concern over
the proposed legislation in Washington
which practically would establish gov
eminent operation <of the packing
houses of the United States by means
of an elaborate licensing system.
The packers confidently believa, and
this view Is shared by other business
interests that II the bill introduced
by senator Kenyon becomes a law, 1t
is stepping stone to government
operation and government ownership
of every basic industry in the United
states. The bill will also commit this
country to paternalisr, and socialism.
from which there may be no turning
back
In brief the Kenyon bill provides
that every person desiring to engage
in or continue in any of the following
businesses In interstate or foreign
commerce can do SO under a license
obtained from the Secretary of Agri-
culture:
l Strengthening 1.-Two stock
2. Preparing live stock products for
sale.
,. Marketing live stock products
Conducting or operating a stock
yard
s. Live stock commission
6. Collecting or distributing 1--we
stock market quotations or mark ct
news,
7, Buying. selling or shipping dairy
products. poultry or poultry products
in excess of 100000 year
The proposed legislation provides
for the appointm emit of Commits
sioner of Foodstufrs, who, under the
direction Of the Secretary of Agricul-
only would determine the kind of
goods the packer should handle but
even the quantities of live stock that
re may buy, the times when he may
ouy and slaughter. the prices, wheth-
or reasonable or not which he may
pay for live stock, and all details as
70 the sale storage, shipment, desti-
nation and prices involved, are
placed within his hands Even the
terms of credit. the manner of ac-
counting, and in fact every feature
OF the business might be removed
from the control Of the management
and LEFT to political subordinates not
familiar with the business to deter
mine with practical hnality all of the
facts.
| The proposed legislation which is
| revolutionary Is a dangerous extern
sion of government Interference with
business of which the country has
become so thoroughly tired during
the war. II the policy that has been
carried out toward the railroads and
! the telegraph companies should be
carried out with the packing indus
try, nothing but reduction OF eff
cheney could result The packing
business deals in perishable com
modify and is Infinitely more com
operation Of the packing industry
would result In even greater disas-
( ter 70 II than resulted In government
operation of railroads and telegram
lines -
Under this bill. the Secretary OF
agriculture can compel the packers
I immediately to sell and abandon
! every branch of their business CT
cert that OF sIaughtering live stock
ana preparing for sale OF live stock
( products, thus deprivinc the cons,In
ing phbllc of the marketing facilities
lot inc various packers which ara a
potent instrument In reducing the
cost To consumer of many corrmodi-
ties, and at the same time lirnitinp
me right of the American business
man 70 engage In more than one bust
ness at the same time
The packers. II the legislation b
enacted, would be compelled In d,s,
pose OF their interests in stock ward.
and dispose of their refrigerator csrs
AT me present time there are no
enough meat and refrigerator cars IN
the United States. and as meats arr
very perishable. any interference with
their prompt and efficient distribution
would Immediately teopardize the dai1,
1000 supply of the great cities of the
country. The railroads neglected tr
supply refrigerator cars and. there
Tore, the packers were compelled Il
lsuppiy them
ihN ERECT ~ this elaborate LICENSING
system will be to take the operation
ana management Of the paektns
houses of this country. great and
small, out or thu hands of tho NOR
VINO have admittedly created one o.
the most efficient industries of IN.
world. and TO place the industry ir
the hands Of subordinates in the de-
partment Of agriculture who are to.
tally unfamiliar with the practical on.
GRAFTON and management of the busi
ness,