Arizona republican., 1919-01-25
TWO B|G PACKERS. AGREE TO SOME PRICE CON TROL
Swift And Armour Discuss
 With Committees Some
 Regulation Toward Stable
 Prices After The Wal"

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-Regulation Of livestock prices so as to assure stable markets, either through cOntin- uous continuing the food administra- tion or by establishing some similar system Of control, was discussed today before congressional committees by presidents of two meat packing firms which do an annual business of about two billion dollars.
 Louis F. Swift of Swift and Com panY, concluding an appearance of two days before the house interstate com merCc committee, said @ stable price over periods of production was desir- oble and declared that if food adminis- traitor restrictions were removed now, disaster would result. J. ogden Armour of Armour and Company, told the sen ate agricultural committee that some means of assuring a price level for some time would be agreeable to the packers.
 Members of each committee evinced considerable interest in the statements uf the packers and Representative Stevens of Nebraska announced that he thought there should be some govern ment agency to control prices ire spective of war conditions
 Heney Joins In
 Examination of MT. Armour devel- oped new interest late today when the senate committee asked Francis J. Heney, who conducted the federal trade commissions meat packing inquiry, to question the witness. Unfairness of method and inaccuracy in deduction are some of the complaints which the packers have made against the com missions inqu<-y, and Senator Page of Vermont inquired if the committees hearing was to degenerate into prosecution" Levy Mayer, counsel for Alr Armour, consented to the exa1ni- nation, being accorded the privilege of questioning witnesses.
 Violent fluctuations of prices were predicted by Mr. Swift, if food admin iS.ration control should be removed Like Mr. Armour, however, he seemed dubious that governmental control over the sale of livestock at agreed prices would be practicable in normal times pointing out that the success of the food administrators guarantee of a minimum price for meat animals had been due to the fact that the admins tration dominated the market through control of purchases for the allied ar mics.
 Anything that will make for a stead,
 
 price reported through sharp declines and increases" Mir Swift said. He added that constructive co-operation" would accomplish more than anything else but that this was in violation of the sherman law.
 Chairman Sims asked MT. Swift if the licensing feature of food admins tration control had not been of great benefit, but the witness did not agree. declaring the success achieved had seen due to cooperation between pro- ducers, packers and the government representatives A bill to regulate the meat packing industry is pending be- fore the committee, containing a Ii- censinS clause which the packers have opposed v'"orouslv as threatening the extinction of the business.
 Extend Food Administration Control
 T think it would he advisable to ex- tend the food administrations control until after peace" NIr Swift said. "It ' has cut down our profits, but wn ar. satisfied.
 MT. Swift took occasion 10 say tha passage of the s100000, 900 famine relief appropriation would not benefit the g packers, because they expected sufff cient demand to take all their product despite the enormous supplies accumu- l3ted at war prices. Representative Hamilton had asked about reports that the English people had refused to eat [ great quantity of reserved pork since the war crisis had passed, and that the appropriation was 10 enable it to be sent to southeastern Europe.
 We find the English people are buy. ing their normal amount of bacon ham, etc." Mr. Swift said.
 T did not anticipate vou Were .go. ing to send 70 cents a pound bacon tC those other people" said MT Hamil. ton
 Expenditure of $4O0,OOO last year tt counteract federal trade commission propaganda" and the employment O Thomas F. Logan of Washington, former newspaper man, to advise Swif and company regarding publicity, at tracted considerable interest iron
 Continued on Page Two)