The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-02-09
MAYER TO
EXPLAIN BRIBERY

Levy Mayer, counsel for Armour &
Co., will be given, every opportunity
to answer bribery charges made by
Francis J. Heney when the Senate
, Agricultural Committee meets tomor-
row.
Heney testified yesterday that ct
previous hearing Mayer had promised
him inducements if he would work
| for the interest Of the packers. He
denounced Mayors alleged action AND
! said it warranted an investigation.
Mayer is scheduled.to appear before
/ the COMMITTEES tomorrow morning,
When he will discuss legal phases Of
| the Kendrick bill. Members of the
iconmittee, said that Heney's. grsYc
chRfce' warranted an explanation
J from Mayer. That opportunity VIII
! be given early tomorrow morning
! before Mayer beEins< his TESTIMONY
| regarding the bill. D.
! Neither Mayer nor Heney could be
I found slast night -te+cemnent upon
! the incident. Heney declared that
| this occurred at one of the recent
sessions OF the commit co, when Mayer
made the -oifer in an undertone.
I
Heney introduced q number of let
tiers and kilograms desigRedsto show.
that the packers fought the Borl4nd
resolution asking. for an investiga-
ton OF their business. Henry Voc
der, counsel Of Swift & Co, admitted
| that the packers opposed the 5resoiu-
! ton, and that they pouId take a SINH
l.. n.
! ySeper. denied that there is anything
! improper in the activities of Swift &
! Co. regarding this matter.
/ The ioBlY other. witness yesterday
| was Or. J.. II. 'WilsSn.Fa cattle ship
| per and GEower of Wyoming. Wilson
| said that he opposed the Government
operation, of Stockyards and urged the
return. of = the; railroads to their
| original owners. -'
Congress will be kept in the dark
forever about the extent of the pack
ers' monopoly, and the unreasonable
profits they are reaping, unless G'ou
get the packers books and check Up
the percentages shown on their
ledgers," MraWiison asserted.
Proat Unreasonable.
Senator Norris pointed out that the
packers cleaned up - per cent profit
on the business done last year and
asked Mr.. Wilson if he did not think
that an unfair figure. The packers
point out that their average profit is
about ] 3 cents on the dollar
That percentage of profit is uH-
reasonable Mr., Wilson said, ',gnG
il is accounted for in the rapid turn
over in the packing business. The
published statements Of the packers
that their prohts on sales amount to
less than . cents on. the dollar is
miSrsp-ese1tation OF the facts, and Is
misleading TO the. public"
Mr., Wilson, as one Of the directors
of the American Live Stock Associa-
ton, declared. that that body was Wig
orously opposed to Government opera
ton of the stock yards Sentiment OF
Western, cattle rsisers generally op-
posed the NfeaE Tat the GoEeFnment.
should enter upon such an expert
ment.
Well, II sou oppose this Iegigiatio.l.,
then what would you suggest should
be done to ~fdrther safeguard the in
terests Of the producers as we'll as
the consumers" Senator KendrIck in
CURED
The main objective should be to
clear the field for competitive buying
on freer scale, so that the packers
will not be. able virtually to dictate
prices, not only with regard TO what
the cattle grower receives. but what
the consumer pays" Mr.. Wilson said
He estimated that the five big pack
erS get about 7S per cent of the cattle
sold in the Chicago market and are so
able to manipulate prices as to
squeeze the Independent packers out
or their fair share.