Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-19
PACKERS COMBINE
MUST ENGAGE IN
MEAT PACKING ONLY
Agreement With Attorney Gen.
eraI Changes Relations of
81 Different Companies.
Owned by 49 individuals.

Washington, Dec. lS.-The govern
ments antitrust suit against the great
meat packers, begun at President VIII
sons direction last summer as part
of the fight on the high cost of living,
has been compromised under an agree
ment by which the packers will con-
fine themselves hereafter to the meat
and provision business.
An Injunction decree to which the
packers have acceded. will be entered
in the federal courts to make the
agreement binding. Under its terms,
the big fiye-Switt Armour, Morris,
Wilson and Cudahy-have agreed to
divorce their meat packing industries
from their other commercial activities
and to sell their holdings in public
stockyards and their interests in
stoekyard railroads, terminals. mar
ket newspapers and similar side
lines"
Two years are given to comply with
the decree, which affects eighty seven
corporations and forty-nine individ-
uals.
Destroys Monopoly.
I'm general, said Attorney General
Palmer's official announcement to-
night, this decree prevents the de-
PENDANTS from evercisino any further
control over the marketing of live
stock. 1t forever prevents them from
any control over the retailing of meat
products. 1t eliminates them from the
field of meat substitutes, with the ex-
ception of eggs, butter, poultry and
cheese, which are left for future con-
sideration and action, and, therefore,
the price of meat is within the control
of the people themselves. 1t places the
conduct Of these large agSreoations of
capital Immediately under the eye of
federal court with reference to their
business practices.
Cannot Control TabIe
But, greater than ALL 1t establishes
the principle that no group of men,
no matter how powerful can ever at
tempt to control the food table of the
American people or any one OF the
necessities or com1onent parts of 1t,
The department of justice, having
in mind the necessities and interests
of the whole American people in this
critical reconstruction period, feels
that by insisting upon this surrender
on the part of packing interests it has
accomplished more for the American
people than could have been hoped
for as the result @f long drawn out
legal battle
No Law Violated.
While Mr.. Palmer views the pack
ers' submission to the governments
contentious. as. Surrender" Henry
Veeder. counself for Swift & Co. an
nounced that the step was taken at
the suggestion of the department of
tagonizing the government and to re-,
move causes of friction with livestock
producers and food distributors. EN-
phatically, Mr.. Veeder stated that the
decree was not to be construed as an
edmission that Swift q Co had yio-
lated any law y
THE COMPANY feels that the same
spirit which caused the business men
of the country to submit to personal
sacrifices to win the war" he said
In CT n c
of reconstruction as then and there
fore il meets the request of the gov
ernment for the sacrifice of its own
interests. The company has consented
to the entry of decree for Injunction
only upon the expressed condition
that it should win in so many words
recite that the decree does not adj
Indicate that the COMPANY has vlo-
lated anv law Of the United states. "
Overtures From Packers.
Attorney General Palmer said that
oVertures for compromise came
first from the packers. after the de-
rartment of Justice had placed its evil
dence before a grand Jury In Chicago
The attitude of Morris & Co. was
expressed by M. w. Borders. general
counsel who said the firm had con-
sented to the decree "in the spirit of
true Americanism."
I'VE gave up certain legal rights
and made certain business sacrifices
in order to meet the views of the
government" he continued, "and to
forever set at rest the fear OF monop-
packers. In this period of recon
struction and unrest, we desired to
promote confidence. cooperation and
stable conditions"
Will Press Legislation.
Bills proposing government regula-
ton of the packing industry now be-
fore the senate agriculture committee
will not be announced as a result of
the, decree; Senator's KENYON; Iowa:
and Kendrick. Wyoming authors of
the measures. announced tonight
The attorney generals victory is
merely a step. though verv long one.
toward the goal we have beer. seeking
IN attain" said Mr. Kendrick. The
fruits of his victory may be made
permanent only by legislation along
the lines Of the measures now pend
ing"
Senator Kendrick said the decree
was the most telling. blow" vet de- |
livered against the high cost of living. |
Senator Kenyon declared the govern
ment should maintain over the pack
ers the control provided by the pend-
they We're building the greatest mo-
nopoly the country has ever known"
Ends Long Fight.
Retirement of the packers from all |
lines of business except the meat and
produce business, ends fight of long
standing, which has been an issue in
elections and political debates for
years, the subject of much attempted
legislation, the cause of the expendi- |
ture of thousands Of dollars in investi- |
cations and untold bitterness between
the packers on the one hand and the |
government, livestock producers and
small business firms on the other. |
The present settlement is an out
growth of an investigation started by
the federal trade commission b. direc- |
sNf IA. an alxrtt say@xyI
z. 1917. Ailetter reviewing that work |
and whar IL accomplished was trans |
mitted to the White House tonight by
Chairman Murdock and his associates. |
The commission thanks YOU. Mr.. |