South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-11
BIG FIVE NOW
DOMINATEU.S.
FOOD SUPPLY
federal Body Hands Wilson
Startling Statement on
Conditions Here.
By United Press

By United Press:
WASHINGTON. July 1.-THE
big five" meat packers will soon ex-
ercise a powerful domination over
the nations iood supply and interna-
tional control OF meat products un-
less congress takes immediate steps
TO forestal these aims. the federal
trade commission today reported to
Pres't Wilson.
IAN approaching packer domina-
tion Of all important foods in this
country and an international con-
troll OF meat products with foreign
companies seems a certainty unless
fundamental action is taken TO pre-
vent it," says the report, which is
Part One OF the commissions inves-
tigatiOn of the meat industry.
The commission claims the pack
ers. Armour. Morris. Swift. Wilson
and Cudahy, are fast obtaining their
domination by manufacturing or
dealing in 775 commodities. largely
products and by gaining control Of
762 other companies. many of which
are public utility corporations.
Control Many Plants.
The big fve' jointly or separate
In WELD a controlling interest in
574 companies. a minority interest
i'm 80 others and. an undetermined
interest in g." the report said.
The history OF the packers
growth is interviewer with illegal
com binations. rebates and with un-
disclosed control Of corporations
The commission urges full publicity
OF corporate ownership of all in
dustries As 10 devices for secret
control there does not exist adequate
law"
Commissions Report.
The commissions report points
out the following alleged details Of
the packers activities:
During 1917 the big five" pro-
duced "A per cent. OF the country's
total output OF sheep and lamb shoe
stock. i per cent Of the glove
stock per cent. of harness leather;
u per cent. OF betting and 22 per
cent OF sole leather. on July 81.
1917. the big hve" had almost 90
per cent. of the country's entire hide
stock
They produce one-dfth of the
countrys mixed fertilizer supply;
one-tenth OF the acid phosphate sup
ply; one-third of the cotton seed oil
supply. nearly one-half Of the lard
four-tenths OF the oIeomargerine
supply and three-tenths Of the cot
ton seed oil soap.
Have Meat Monopoly.
In the meat industry, the com
mission stated. the big tive" already
constitutes monopoly In 1916
they slaughtered So per cent of all
cattle, S6.4 per cent OF all sheep;
s6.6 per cent of all calves and 61 ,
per cent of swine.
Stockyards controlled by the big
i've received the following percent
age OF the country's stock IN 1916
cattle S3.1. sheep Isl: calves 7S.S;
swine IA. horses and mules $40;
total OF am animals 77.2
Monthly Meat Holdings
Their average monthly holdings OF
non -perishable meats as compared
with the country's total supply were
frozen beef 50 per cent; smoked
ham and bacon. 64 per cent dry
salt pork SIS per cent; picked pork
1O.5 per cent.
% The packers handle half Of the
poultry. cgs and cheese business OF
the country In 1915 they sold 90
600. 600 pounds OF butter; 75.0OO.O0O
pounds OF cheese. over 1875. 900. 600
dozens eggs and 1oO.00O,OOO pounds
or poultry
other commodities the commits
sion charges packers are gaining
control OF breakfast foods. chicken
feed. stock feed. fruit. canned vege-
tables coal fence posts. builders
hardware. binding twine. lumber
cement. lime. plaster. brick, sand
gravel roofing. soda fountain sup
plies and rice