Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-12-19
UNDER EYE
Continues from Page One)

livestock. 1t forever prevents them
from any control over the retailing
of meat products. II eliminates them
from the field of meat substitutes,
with the exception of eggs. butter.
poultry and cheese. which are left
for future consideration and appro-
pirate action; and, therefore, the
price of meat is within the control
Of the people themselves. 1t places
the conduct of these great aggrega-
tions OF capital Immediately under
the eye Of federal court with refer
ence TO their business practices.
But greater than all, il estab-
lishes the principle that no group of
men, no matter how powerful. can
ever attempt to control the food Ia
bic Of the American people. or any
one of the necessities or the compo-
nent parts Of it.
The department, Of justice. having
in mind the necessities and inter-
eSts of the whole American people in
this critical reconstruction period.
feels that by insisting upon this sur
lender en- the part of packing inter-
ests it has accomplished more for
the American people than could have
been hoped for as the result Of a long
T drawn-cut legal battle"
The decree will prevent the use of
transportation facilities Of the pack
ers for any purpose except the meat
business.
Government officials regard the de-
cree as so complete that it will re-
move permanently any danger of the
packers monopolizing the dinner table
of the average American. inasmuch
as the packers will be forced to raise
from the domination of the markets
and transportation systems.
Senator Kenyon, Republican, Iowa,
and kendrick, Democrat, Wyoming.
IN statements issued Immediately aft
er the attorney generals announce
ment, said the agreement would not
preclude enactment by Congress OF
bills introduced by them and now
before the Senate Agriculture COM
nittee providing for government reg
u!ation of the mea: packing industry.
The terms of the settlement" Sem
ator Kendrick said, ARE in agree
ment with the fundamental principles
OF the bill which have been intro
duced by Senator Kenyon and my
self. This does not mean, however.
the abandonment of efforts to secure
legislation. The attorneygenerars
victory is merely a step, though a
very long one. toward the goal we
have been seeking to attain.''
The arrangement made by Attor-
ney-General Palmer" said Senator
Kenyon. eliminates the necessity of
some provisions of the Kenyon and
kendrick bills. However. there re-
mains certain fundamental PROPOSE
tions that must be met and are met
By said bills. The control of the large
lines of unrelated business by the
packers is apparent by the agreed de-
cree"
1T is evident" he continued, that
they were building the greatest
monopoly the country has ever
known. The government should
maintain over them the control pro.
vided by the bills now pending"
Overtures for the settlement of the
cases out Of court. Mr.. Palmer said.
were made by the packers. WHO sent
word that they would like to present
their side of the case Mr.. Palmer
replied that he could not be dlss,,a6.
ed from prosecuting the charges. but
that if they desired to VIRTUALLY sur-
rended" to put the new spirit of Am
erican interest in their business. he
would be glad to talk over the matter
with them.
Mr.. Palmer said he dealt with some
of the head men Of the higconcerps
as a business proposition, rather than
with their lawyers. although the lat
ter, OF course, were frequently con-
suited,
The final agreement was reached
only in the last few days ana several
OF the counsel Of the packers were
here today for the final Negotiations
= Henry Weeder, counsel for Swif. q,
Co., said in a statement that IN.
packers took the step "in spite Of the
fact that there is no law reauirinc
1t" and that his company subordinat-
ed its own convictions to avoid tho
appearance Of antagenism to the
government and to aid in removing
causes of friction between producers
and distributors
Mr.. Veeder stated that Swift &
Co. agreed to the entry Of the decree
on the express condition that It will
recite that 1t Is not adjudiciated by
that concern has violated any law.
Reorganization