Arizona republican., 1919-08-21
SMALL PACKER OPPOSE CONTROL.
 IF B|G BROTHER
Independent Meat Buyers Challenge Statements Of Federal Trade Commits sion In Testimony Before Senate Committee-Say Time Not Ripe for Regu- lions


 pendent packers appearing before the senate agriculture committee today challenged most Of the statements of the federal trade commission on which proposals for stringent regulations of the five dominant concerns iii the in- dustry are based.
 The independent representatives h. sisted they were meeting and furnish ing lively competition at both ends of the industry-in the purchase of live stock and in the sale of meats to the retailer-and expressed the con- clusion that the law of supply and demand would serve sufficiently to protect the consumer. Their view was supplemented by that of a retail butcher, and given minor support in the appearance Of a vegetable cannery representative and the head of a milk eondensing business, to object to H. censing provisions of the Kenyon bills which they felt would apply to their business if not changed.
 Senators Question Packers
 Committee members. particularly Senator Kenyon, republican, Iowa, author of the regulation measure and Senator Capper republican, of Kan sas. put to the packer representatives pointed questions bearing on the es- tablishment of the American Institute of Packing, it's Washington offices, and activities, as well as entering into the subject of profits.
 Int the institute office here to fight any kind of regulations. Senator Kenyon asked T. David Hill. who head ed delegation of independent pack CTS of Baltimore.
 I'm not an officer of it, Mir. Hill said, "but I suppose they want to be on the ground to be familiar with all legislative proposals affecting the in- dustry.''
 Understand, I'm not saying they are wrong" Senator Kenyon said "or that there is anything wrong in their methods, but do you know about the agents and publicity men here, or who is going to pay for them?s
 I suppose there will be dues as sessed for that" MT. Hill said That's the usual way
 Period of Initiation
 We are now passing through a per iod of inflation," MT. Hill said, in mak- ing his objections to the proposed reg ulation. Prices are abnormal, busi- ness is abnormal This is no time to regulate Wait until we get through it and have our feet back on the ground, and then see what drastic measures are necessary
 The witness said he bought hogs in competition with the big packers in Kansas City and Chicago and was sure the big concerns could not control prices. Solomon Greenwaid, Balti- more, asserted the same thing was true of other livestock
 Senator Ransdell. democrat, Louis jana, took up the questioning from another angle.
 Packers Brand But
 We've been told the big packers are going into everything" the senator queried, controlling the sale of some 700 other products. Do you think it would be good thing to have them put all these other smaller men out of business, and establish monopoly Tn foodstuffs 2"
 No. but I'd say to license the other and let the livestock industry alone, Greenwald responded.
 These are just the sort Of objec- tions that were raised to meat inspec- tion when that law was proposed. observed Senator Kenyon.
 All of the independents appearing said their business had reached the apex of prosperity under food admin istration regulations during the war and this aroused the interest of Chair man Gronna, who asked
 If that was true when you were be- ing controlled, why do you object to control now?7
 Jacob Shafer of Baltimore. respond ed that they endured the food admin istration control without question be- cause 'it was only temporary"
 MT. Hill said. a man wants to feel he is doing business in a Tree country. I'd have no pride in my concern if it| were run under anybody's thumb