Norwich bulletin., 1919-09-25
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Conaressman Ricketts, Figures.

MT Editor: An editorial printed in The Bulletin on August 9th has brought to our attention some figures as to supposed profits made by the Chicago packers
 The article says ''The five big packers would probably do almost anything if they could get some con trol of what goes into the Congress sional Record" It then cites some figures introduced into the Record by Congressman Ricketts, and remarks, 'sThese figures do not agree with the packers statements about the pack ing business.
 The figures do not agree. because they do not square with the facts. The earnings of the so called Big Tn 1917 are said to have been $S0.00O. 000- As matter of face they were $72,2l9,- 584
 In 1918 the earnings are said to have been something like $100,000 900 As a matter of fact they were s51,b3l,3II or a per cent. profit on sales Of Is per cent.
 We are at loss to understand how these f1fty-one millions are to grow to a hundred and fifty millions in 1919. However, no matter how large the gross profits may seem, they repre- sent the total of five independent and competing firms Figures which have been subject to audit by the Federal Trade Commission prove that the av- craze profit per dollar Of sales IS
  it per pound of product sold, including by products, has been fraction of cent.
 The Bulletin editorial also repeats assertions as to the increase or thousand dollar investment in each of the five concerns during the last few years These figures are ridiculous and were issued by stock promoters For example, if is stated that s1,00o invested in one of the concerns six iS As matter of fact the increase has been about s3,oo0 Just fragrant inaccuracy is evident in the reference to other firms.
 If we may trespass further on edi- torial courtesy, we should like to give the real facts about a widely circu- lated statement of the Federal Trade Commission which is quoted in Con gressman Ricketts, remarks.
 The Trade Commission says that packers handle ITS products. Yet in Part I of the commissions s report, only 639 are listed. Of these 77 are canned meats and derivatives of meats; 29 are sausage room products; Al are animal by products; B are soap products; 29 are meat cuts; are leather pro- ducts-a total of 317 items which are so closely associated with meat pack ing that they actually constitute a single line of activity.
 More striking still is the fact that @ items are classified terms listed as products. Is it reasonable, for ex- ample, to list sea foods as an article ha handled-especially when each sea food is noted separately?
 Also 70 items named by the com mission are materials purchased in large quantities by the packers for supplies and for repair work. They are not sold at all. And 9 items are raw material used in manufacturing and not sold at all. Fifty-two more of the items are duplicated in the list. In other words the list is outrage ously padded in order to make the number appear big. AS matter of fact all the activities of the packers could be adequately summarized under a dozen headings. Everything handled by the packers is handled because of economic req sons. We believe each item helps to make a greater saving available to the consumer, and represents full use of raw materials and facilities. The packers extend every help to full and impartial investigation There are no questions about the industry which they will not try to answer, l and on which they will not give com plete facts. We believe the absolute 1 honesty of their attitude will appeal to the American sense of fair play.
 Yours very truly, Bureau of Public Relations Ameri- l can Meat Packers Association,
 W. W. WOODS.
 Associate Director. Chicago, Sept g, 1919.