Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-23
The Packers, Cnmprnn,i,c

It HE packers OF the country have been
charged from the first movement to
regulate them 10 the last. with consistent
opposition 10 every piece OF legislation de-
signed 10 control their industry its profits,
its practices aud lis policies Aud they have
been accused Of taking this stand without
offering any substitute for the measures pro-
posed and without admitting for a moment
that the public. meaning the government. of
course. has any right to know how they
conduct their bushes. and how much money
they exact from the consumer.
This attitude OF resistance 10 every form
OF regulation has cost the packers heavily
They have deliberately invited the distrust OF
the country. They have placed themselves
under suspicion and they have made them
selves the victims Of much unnecessary and
some unjust agitation. That this policy was
a mistaken one is now confessed by the In
sttute OF American Meat Packers. an organi-
zation which fairly represents the industry
a whole
The confession is made by Thomas +. Will
son, president Of that organization. who
stated that the packers have been SO en-
crossed in defending their business against
misintormed criticism and perious legisla-
ton that they have had little opportunity TO
formulate reforms which changing conditions
require III a period of reconstruction To
give point TO the admission thus made and
10 retrieve the blunder committed Mr.. Will
son. speaking for the industry offers series
OF constructive plans for the regulation of
the packers.
III the first place he announces willing
ness TO have commission formed composed
OF expert accountants TO audit the packers
DOCKS every year and to make a report which
VIII show whether or not excessive pro6ts
are oeing made and whether or not the Sher-
man law or The Clayton law, or any other
Id" should be invoked against them In
ado'uoh to TINS he seems eager to have a
hohpohtlcal investigating body created
"h,"h MAJ examine the industry from the
steer on the hoof to the steak on the dinner
table, which body is to report to Congress-
upon such reforms may be desirab bic
Again it is suggested that a conference
committee be authorized upon which tho
packers' the consumers, the live stock pro-
uucerS and the government will be renre-
scented TO find means OF "stabliIing the
relation between the supply and the demand
1t is proposed, too. that some means he found
OF determining whether not the packers
control or the stockyards is helpful or hurt
tni to the interests Of the live stock nro
uucers Ana, finally, it is suggested that q
special government agency TO deal with the
general subject Of the high cost of lrnc no
created.
'hc results which Mr.. Wilson seems IN
""le lor from these commissions committees
an" agencies are not all clearly Anticipated
"' ."c aiSh'hcahce OF this program lies i'm
me tact that the packers now concedo III.
iish' OF the government to have u degree or
supervision over their business and ,bo rih,
VI inc pubic to know what profits are made
"hat combinations exist and what reforms
may DC lnahgurated that will prove adyan
''seou" 10 all interests concerned.
Congress in its study OF the packing nrob
'eii' ana IN its consideration of the Uronsin,
s!',ein DIS applied to this industry, might
", give some thought to the program which
i'son mas outlined 1t may not meet
~, ,'ua,'on as The legislators see Il. but
IL VIII help in determining unon co.n.o
action. '"o VI