The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-11
SWIFT CALLS U. S. REPORT
PREJUDICED, UNFAIR, AND
A PART OF PROPAGANDA

CHICAGO, July 11.-Louis F. Swift,
president Of Swift & Co., today de-
cIared that the latest report of the
Federal Trade Commission contained
no new facts, and was an evident ef-
fort 10 influence at this time pro-
posed radical legislation.
Mr.. Swift said:
This latest report Of the Federal
Trade Commission is merly an attack
upon large and successful business or
CARNATIONS, and should be resented by
all Americans who are proud of the
Industrial progress of the nation. 1t
contains nothing new, and is an out
growth Of the former discredited
Heney ex parte investigation. This
report, so far as / am informed. con-
tains absolutely no evidence Of col
fusion among the five largest packers,
and say for Swift & Co, as I have
said many times, that we have no
agreement OF any kind with any other
packer to affect the. prices Of live
stock or meats.
The manner in which the trade
commission juggIes figures and re-
sorts to sensationalism bel-ays the in
sincerity of the commission. We are
living up to both the spirit and the
letter of the law, and want to CO.
operate with the Government in every
helpful and constructive way, but we
must protest against the methods
used by this important branch of the
Government. / say that the large
packers and their individual bust
nesses are a. public benefit, and
needed factor in keeping down the
spread between stock and meat prices.
Part of Propaganda.
This report is put out now as a part
Of the propaganda in which the Trade
Commission, with others, is engaged,
seeking to subject the packing indus
try and other lines OF business TO the
arbitrary control OF subordinate Gov
eminent officials, through a license
system. II Is to be regretted that in
these days, when the public feels
keenly the pressure Of high prices. a
Government body does not give out
facts respecting prices and profits.
This has never been done fairly by
the Federal Trade Commission as re
CARDS the packing industry, although
the commission has constantly had
the most complete information in its
possession.
NO one disputes that out Of the
total receipts Of the packers. derived
from the products Of animals. about
SIS per cent is paid out for the live
animals themselves: about 13 per cent
is paid out for wages, transportation
and other such expenses: about per
cent on this turnover is earned by
the packer as net profit: and no one
disputes that this amount is but a
small fraction Of a cent per pound:
and that il is so negligible as not in
any event to affect the price which
the consumer pays for meats.
PreJudIced and Unfair.
THE report just issued by the Trade
Commission, and its discussion Of the
number OF subsidiary companies. and
its calculation Of percentages Of the
classes Of business handled by the
packers, are not only erroneous, but
are entirely immaterial TO the real
question in which the public is inter
estod, namely. why are prices high?
! do not believe that the findings OF
such a prejudiced and unfair report
should be used TO influence public
opinion. or as basis for the radical
legislation that has been introduced
at Washington"