Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-15
Heney Tells Investigators
They Control Public Cor.
pOrations in West
ENGAGE in PROPAGANDA
Swift Spent Million a Month
to Influence Public and
Press, He Charges

Washington. Jan. 5.--1nformation
as 10 the character of letters filed in
the Chicago Office vaults Of Henry Nee-
der. counsel for Swift G. Co., was given
by Francis j. Heney, of San Francisco,
In resuming his testimony today before
the Senate Agricultural Committee at
hearings on the Kendrick bill for regu-
lation OF the meat industry.
In answer to questions by members
of the committee Mr.. IIeney went over
much of the ground covered in the in
vestigation by the Federal trade COM
mission of which he was special coun-
sell He dwelt at some length upon let
ters written by Needer to Swift, which
he said agents of the commission saw,
although they did not get possession of
them, telling of sending fancy steaks
and horse TO Representative Mann
OF Illinois, Republican leader Of the
House.
The witness said Mr.. Mann aided the
packers in their fight against the Bor-
land resolution for congressional in
restigation.
"Congressmen told me-" he said,
that Representatives Mann and Carlin
hugged each other before the Speakers
seat when II was announced that the
Borland resolution had been defeated
Gives Lie to L. $. Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Heney said that the statements
in the report on the Federal Trade Com
mission. submitted to President Wilson
by the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States, were without foundation
and absolutely contrary to facts"
In order TO permit the witness to
refresh his memory, the committee post
poned questioning him relative to the
packers political activities and their po-
litIcal expenditures. These matters.
Acting Chairman Norris announced,
would be taken up tomorrow.
Questioned by Senator Norris relative
TO the packers expenditures for adver-
tisng. Mr.. Heney said that from the
beginning of the Federal Trade Commits
sion's investigation Swift & Go. spent
81 1000 600 a month for that purpose.
The advertisements" he added. were
not for the purpose of making sales,
that is. very considerable part of them
were not. but were for the obvious pur-
pose of creating public sentiment"
letters in the packers files showed.
the witness continued. that their pur-
pose III carrying Oh lIelT duNeTllSiilR
campaign was to influence the news
papers not to publish certain things.
such as the Federal Trade Commission
Charges Control of Utilities
Mr.. Ieney Said danger lay in close
connection between the packing industry
and the financial interests of the coun-
try. In Chicago, he said. through bank
stock owned by affiliated interests, the
packers come pretty close to dominat-
ing the financial situation" in that city.
In order 10 control the purchase of
supplies. he added. the packers own
stock in virtually every big new hotel
built in tine country
Mr.. Heney said lie believed adequate
relief would be given by Government
ownership Of refrigerating cars, stock
yards, terminal railways, branch houses
and cold storage plants and by Govern
ment supervision of the packing houses
themselves by means of al licensing
system.
Asked by Senator Kenyon. Of Iowa,
whether the packers control extended
10 public utilities. Mr.. Heney replied that
in Sioux city, Ia, they controlled not
OILY the stocliyards. but also the street
railway and other public utilities, and
in Kansas city the Armours controlled
the street car system. The practice OF
extending their control 10 these interests,
he said. was practiced principally by the
Armour, Swift and Morris companies.
Personal Fortunes Used
How can they acquire those things on
the small profits we read about them
making" asked Senator Kenyon.
They do that on their personal for
tunes" replied Mr.. Ileney.