The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1919-01-30
PACKERS FAVOR sCOVERN.
MENT PRICE CONTROL v
Armour And Swift Regulation Would
be Preferable to Price
Uncertainties.

Washington, January 24.-Regula-
| ton OF live stock prices SO as to as
sure a stable market, either through
continuing the Food Administration
or by establishing some similar sys-
tenn OF control was discussed today
before the esssiotfa+ eefaffaait tees
by presidents OF two meat packing
firms which do annual business ct
about two billion dollars.
Louis =. Swift, of Swift & CONF
pany, said stable price over periods
of production was desirable, and de-
clared that if food administration re-
strictions were removed now, dis
aster would result. J. Ogden Ar
Ilnour, OF Armour 4 Company, told
Hhe Senate Agricultural Committee
that some means of assuring a price
level for some time would be agree
able to the packers.
EXaminst,cn OF Mr.. Armour de-
veloped ney interest today when the
Senate Committee asked Francis J..
Heney, who conducted the Federal
Trade Commission meat packing IN.
quiry, to question the witness. Cn-
fairness of method and inaccuracy in
deduction are some of the complaints
which the packers have made against
the commissions inquiry and Senator
Page, OF Vermont, inquired if the
committee hearing was to "degen-
crate into prosecution. Levy
Mayer, counsel Tor Armour. consent
ed to the examination on being ac-
corded the privilege of questioning
witnesses.
Violent fluctuations OF prices were
predicted by Swift ii food adninistra-
ton control should be removed. Like
Armour, however, he seemed dubious
that government control over the
sale OF livestock at agreed prices
would be practicable in normal
times.
"Anything that will make for a
steady price is better than the same
price reached through sharp declines
and increases, Swift said. He added
that Constructive cooperation
would accomplish more than any
thing else, but that this was in viola
ton of the Sherman law
Chairman Sims asked Swift il the
licensing feature OF food administra-
llOH COutIol iaN llot DISll VI SiS"e
benefit but the witness did not agree,
declaring the success achieved had
been due to cooperation between
products, packers and the govern
ment representatives.
Wouldn't il be advisable TO ex-
tend in some form for this year or
until normal conditions are restored
the licensing O. food control now eN-
ercised, without passing any other
part of this bill! or amending the iopd
control law asked Sims.
Il think it would be advisable to
extend the Food Administration S
control until after peace Swift said.
1T has cut down our profits but we
are satisfied"
Swift said that passage of the $780,
100000 famine relief appropriation
would not benefit the packers be-
cause they expected sufficient de-
mand to take al their product de-
spite the enormous supplies accumu-
lated at war prices.
Expenditure Of 500, 900 last year TO
counterfeit federal trade commission
propaganda and the employment,
of Thomas +. Logan of Washington,
former newspaper man, to advise
Swift & Co., regarding publicity. at
tracted considerable interest. Henry
Veeder, counsel for Swift & Co., in
sisted that the, expenses came out 81
the stockholders profits and not ont
Df consumers