Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-01
Exposing Packer Propaganda

@ ENATOR Kenyon must be apIlaudcd for
~ having laid before the Senate and tho
nation indisputabe evidence OF gigantic
propaganda campaign on the part of the great
packing interests OF the country TO impress
Congress with sentiment against govern
mcnt control of the packing industry which
does not actually exist. Tho Iowan does not
deny the meat producers the right of petition
to Congress for against any measures in
which they may be Interested or involved.
These people have the same privilege in that
connection which Law and common Justice
rouchsafe to any other group of citizens. But
Senator Kenyon challenges the right of the
packers to send their agents throughout the
country for the purpose OF bullying, cajoling
or intimidating the thousands Of small con-
Germs over which they maintain their control
into overwhelming Congress with letters tcle-
grams and petitions OF protest which do not
represent actual opposition to the pending
packer-control measures.
1t is by no means certain that Senator Ken
yon has found in his proposed license system
remedy for the abuses which the packers
are believed by the country generally TO prac-
tice. His bill may provide relief against
monopoly, excessive profits and trade discrim
nations, and again it may not. No committee
OF Congress has agreed with him that he Of
fers legislation which Will meet the siua-
ton, and until some committee has con-
WINGED itself that he has, the country must
keep an open mind upon the question.
Mr.. Kenyon has performed a distinct pub
lie service in revealing to the nation the
character of propaganda which the pack
ers are carrying on. He has shown how
thousands Of kilograms, written and paid for
by packers agents, but signed by others. have
deuged members of the House and Senate.
Ia hoc cbnu- !,
have been dispatched from a single commu-
nifty through artificial processes. He ex-
hibited seventeen kilograms sent from Clifton
Forge, Va, for example, the same day,
every one OF them exactly alike every other,
except the names OF the signers.
The Iowian has shown further, that enor-
NOUS outlays in money have been made By
the packers TO create opposition to the pend
ing legislation that "a brazen attempt has
been made to debauch the American press
itself by the lavish expenditure OF money
for advertising; that packers agents are even
now appearing before commercial organiza-
lions in a dozen States, urging that the Ken
yon bill be killed, and that small dealers,
grocerymen, butchers and others who are
compelled to buy their meat stocks from the
big packing-houses arc being browbeaten into
protesting against any measure OF government
control of the packing industry.
Campaigning of this sort is bound to work
against those engaged in 1t. 1t is amazing
that group Of business men az Intelligent
as those who have built up the packing house
industry should be guilty of so stupid apropa-
ganda as that which Mr. Kenyon has exposed
on the floor of the Senate. The whole bust
ness is markedly bad. and those responsible for
1t will find before long that il will react against
them. The American people are not disposed
posed to sec Congress influenced and defeated
through bogus public pressure