The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-24


WAsHINGToH. Jan. 2S.- A full day in
the House Interstate and Foreign Com.
merce Committee was devoted to hearing
statements and arguments from Louis
Swift president OF Swift & Co, and Levy
Mayer, counsel for Armour & Co. in OPP
position TO the bill further to regulate
the packing industry. This was accom-
plished TO the discontinue OF Chairman
Sims. who complained that he was re-
manning in the chair at the cost OF his
personal convenience"
Chairman Slmss complaint was ut
tered in the middle OF one OF Mr.. Mayors
paragraphs while the latter was answer
ing a question by Repre- sentative Hamii-
ton (Mich.). Chairman Sims had sug-
gested several time. to Mr.. Mayer that
time was pressing" but other members
of the committee had not lost interest in
the views OF the packers counsel.
Finally. while Mr.. Mayer was complaint
ing that there was too much law" and
explaining his views in this respect.
Chairman Sims glanced at his watch for
the sixth or seventh time and announced
that that would be all from Mr. Mayer
and the committee was very much
obliged"
ColIessues Rebuke Chairman.
Mr.. Mayer ceased at once. but other
members OF the committee opened up.
Chairman Sims was admonished by his
colleagues that the committee still was
interested in Mr.. Mayors views. Finally
a vote was taken. and with the exception
OF the chairman the committee unani-
mously voted that Mr.. Mayer should re-
main on the stand.
Mr.. Mayors testimony elaborated that
OF J. Ogden Armour. his client, and pre-
ceded that OF Louis Swift. He hrgued
largely along constitutional lines, while
Mr.. Swift, who followed him, pursued
much the same line as Mr. Armour.
pointing out the objections on practical
grounds to the behefits which the Fed
erai Trade Commission claims for the
bill.
According to Nh Swift the only thing
wrong with the packing industry is the
belief on the part OF the public that
there is something wrong. and this belief.
he said, has been fostered by misstate-
ments OF fact and misapprehensions.
Great Powers to President.
Mr.. Mayer said the bill would give the
President supreme authority" to en-
gage In private business which might
be extended to any line of commerce. in
cluding manufacturing cotton cloth,
pins buttons or any other line of busi
ness, even to own and operate a news
paper Its possibilities stagger me-" He
declared there was plenty Of law and
that the trouble lay in the fact that
there is too much law"
Following Mr.. Swifts prepared state
ment early in the afternoon the commit
tee members questioned the witness on
his views r
Would the high prices OF pork and
meat have existed X the Food Admins
tration had not fixed the prices asked
Representative Sweet Towa).
1.-THE prices might have been higher"
replied Mr. Swift. The Food Admins
tration tried to stabilize the prices to
prevent a series o. sensational declines
and advances and to keep the price at
an average level which would be fair
both 20 the consumers and the pro-
ducers."
Regulation Good Thing.
"Then II accomplished a good thIns
for BOTH asked Mr.. Sweet.
Yes I think So"
SHOULD the regulation be continued
for a year or so?"
Now is the most critical time" re-
Continued on Third Page.