New-York tribune., 1919-08-31
Thomas E. Wilson Outlines
Five Things Needed to
Dispose of Problems Now
Affecting the Situation
answers Three Questions
Accounting, Investigating
and Advisory Bodies Are
Necessary, He Asserts

CHICAGO, Aug. 30.-Thomas f. Will
son, president Of Wilson & Co. ano
chairman of the Institute of American
Meat Packers, to day, at the request Of
the institute. issued a signed statement
discussing the three questions as tc
what the packers need. what is wrong
with them and whittier they are going
packing situation, Mr.. Wilson declared
that the following five things are
needed:
81. An accounting commission.
composed of recognized, certified
public accountants, divorced from
politics, to audit the packers books
every year and make public an un-
derstandablc report Any .transgres-
= sion discovered should be punished
under the Sherman act, the Clayton
act and other corrective laws already
existing.
''2. A non-political investigative
body to examine the meat industry
from calf to steak, and give cut the
facts ascertained, with recommends
tions for improvements.
u. <nH 1NNfoOIS conference COM
mittee, comprising both packers and
producers, with consumers and the
government both represented, to try
to stabilize somewhat the relation
between supply and demand: that is,
to try to anticipate the demand for
meat products and influence the pro-
duction and shipment OF livestock
accordingly.
-. A definite determination as to
whether producers and other groups
are hurt or helped by pack rs inter
est in stockyards. If such interest
is helpful it should be continued; if
hurtful, it should be eliminated.
"5. Some special agency, composed
of recognized economists, to report
on the causes Of the high cost of
living"
Industry Hurt by Suspicion
The packing industry, in Mr.. Will
sons opinion, is seriously hampereC
by the general attitude of suspicion
manifested by the public In this con
nection he observes:
I'VE cannot serve the people as vel
when we are suspected in advance
accused without having offended, con
demned before we are tried, convicted
and dlstrusted at every turn
Mr. Wilson points to the profit ant
sales record of the packing companies
audited by several government depart
ments, as an answer to the charge o.
profiteering which is often directed
against the industry Mr.. Wilson con
tends that competition is keen among
the packers. Discussing the accusation
that meat is held in cold storage ir
ord sr- n oI, ba Dri, bo i.
that the quantity of meat in cold stor
age is small compared with the annua
consumption, END that much of it j:
IN process Of being cured.
Mr.. Wilson goes into the question o1
supply and demand, and urges the es
tablishment of broad conference com
mittee of packers and producers, with
consumers and the government botl
represented.
Could Accomplish Much
Such a committee, he believes, coule
accomplish a great deal in determ ming
the probable demand for food over ,
given period, in stabilizing the mar
ket and avoiding sharp alienation:
between periods of overproduction ant
periods of scarcity and high prices.
Mr.. Wilson also recommends the ere
alton of "non-political, economi,
commission to investigate the meat in
dustry from calf to steak and give ou
the facts ascertained, with recon-
mendations of constructive changes.
Such an investigations, in his opinion
would advance merchandising by a
least one decade. He contends tina
much unconscious waste on the par
of retailers, which now contributes It
the high cost Of living, would be elm
mated by careful, scientific stud,
of the question.