The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-08-09
Attorney General Announces
Prosecution Of the Big
Packers
POWER OF GOVERNMENT
AGAINST THE PACKERS
President Wilson Will Put the
Matter Before Congress in
Spite of Protests

Washington, Aug. 6-Anti-trust
suits against the great meat packing
firms were announced today by AT
,orney General Palmer as The first
concrete development Of the govern
ment's campaign TO reduce the hig;l
cost Of living.
Armour, Swift, Morris, Wilson anG
Cudahy who have been pictured in
the Investigations Of the federal trade
commission and before congressional
committee as a great combination in
control Of food products, are TO be
held again before the federal courts
by special prosecutors.
The evidence in hand, Attorney Cen
eral Palmer declared, indicated "a
clear violation Of the antitrust laws.
Whether the prosecution would be
declined to state, merely recalling
that the law provided for both.
The history OF all the governments
antitrust prosecutions in % years
does not show a single individual ever
serving a Jail sentence for violation
There are evidences that the govern
nent hopes for some in the present
campaign.
Announcement by Palmer.
Mr.. Palmer's announcement follows:
The Department Of justice has
made a careful review Of the evidence
developed by the investigation into
the combinatio Of packers. both h
the federal trade commission and the
hearings before the committee Of con
grcss. This review has been made
bv lawyers especially retained for thF
purpose and their report is now il
hand. / am satisfied that the eviden>
adduced indicates a clear violation
the antitrust laws and prompt acti
will be taken accordingly. Fnr9he
proceedings, while under the imme-
date direction Of the department OF
Justice. will be in charge Of Isador j.
kresel, of the law finn Of Jerome
Rand and Kresel. of New York, VIII,
will be given such assistance as tn
case seems to warrant.
VI lille he was announcing pros"c'
tons Of the packers. Attorney Gen
eral Palmer was unleasing his specia;
agents On the country wide trial Of
Drofitee~.ng and food boarding. These
prosecutions come ;!Eder the food con-
tro, law.
All the Uaited States Attorneys We're
instructed to ferret out food hoard
e..s and libel them undei' federal law
This is the mos. important busi-
ness before the country today, an
nounced the attorney general, and
i, 10, -
machinery of the government SIDE
track everything to tbs -.
President TO S,Sai..
President Wilson con;..re.;ieG 70 give
close attention 10 the foo>; c2at prob
lem and declined . proposal 70 posl
pone his address to congress until
Thursday Of next H:"e,,1 il::...e;~l Of this
Friday Rerub ;c.e: l'iaer t-eadc:,
Mondell OF the house suggested 1he
! postponement because Of absence OF
! members from Washington, bat the
president declined in the following
letter TO the Republican leader:
II an, very sorry indeed that can
not comply with your suggestion Of
delay in the matter Of n. ddreas to
(; a joint session Of congre:-,, The sit
uation which impelled me last week
! to ask congress to postpone its recess
until my recommendations could b,
submitted is still acute. have haG
under very serious consideration the
proper action of the government With
reference TO the high cost of living
and feel that il is my duty at The
earliest possible moment to pres n;
certain reconmendations now ready
for Submission 70 congress.
4 have therefore. asked the vice
president and the speaker TO arrange
if possible for q joint session for Fri
: day afternoon, next. at O'Clock.
There was no intinaarion from the
White House as TO the nature Of III"
recommendations the president would
make in addressing congress
From the trend Of the governments
activities in an atterart TO solve the
living cost problem. however. in she
view of Several officials TIE president
probably would deal with ties sab
jccts:
Enlargement Of the provisiors Of
the Lever food control law 10 make
it operative after the proclamation 0f
peace and applicable To shoes, cio:i.-
ing and all life necessities in addition
to food.
Legislation to reach ti2e smaller IN
dividual profiteer as we'll as big bus
mess" extortion
Legislation to define proftcerinG.
thereby making easier prosecution
under existing laws.
Laws to make speculaticr in nee $
saries a crime.
Legislation limiting the margin Of
profit on necessities