Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-09-19

stun monopoly. The packers, by rea-
son of their grip on the meat trade,
are able by sheer power of capital
and credit to take over and monopo-
lie any line of business that they de-
sire.
The hearings in the senate COM
mittee brought forth from the pack
ers themselves admissions that their
business was so large as to have
passed the boundary line of economy.
Everyone conyersant with the trade
knows of the losses sustained by ship
ment of live animals long distances
under the packer system. Everyone
who has studied the situation knows
that along with their growth has
gone the suppression of local sup
plies Everything must be poured
through the packer funnel, regard
less of shipping costs and shrinkage
of values.
The abuses connected with the
monopoly of the stockyards have
been thoroughly ventilated by the
Federal Trade Commission. The use
of private cars in the traffic not only
eliminates those unable to own them,
but also eliminates those who by rea-
son of a comparatively small volume
of business can not compete with
those capable Of a large organized
system. The Federal Trade Commits
sion's recommendation were pointed
at these evils. and as embodied in the
Sims bill at the last session of con-
gress, endeavored to offer a remedy
under the then existing status OF
railroad management and control.
Plan Changed to Meet Conditions
With the elimination OF the war
power in the president, and with the
practical change in the railroad sta
alton, the plan that at one time
might have been possible must now
be changed to suit the change in con-
ditions. A number of representatives
o. the Federal Trade Commission
farm organizations, consumers
league federation of labor and the
live stock associations got together
and discussed the situation with
members of the senate committee on
agriculture before whom the hear
ings were held AS result of more
than two mruths of conferences and
work, the Kenyon-Anderson bill was
introduced in the house and senate.
Il involves the licensing system OF
a measure known as the Keudrick
bill, introduced in the last congress,
but strengthens that measure III
many particulars, and adds TO it new
and important matter. Under 1t the
hackers, stoekyards, commission men
ana the lare or dealers in poultry and
dairy pro lucts must apply for a
license. and thereafter mlst conduct
their business with due regard t. the
general Welfare and rptIain from
nonopolistic and unfair practices.
The penalty for violation of license
is either revocation, which is not 70
be anticipated in the case of large
and vitality important industries, or
a suspension with receiyership. rms
idea of receiyership in the pubic In
terest is entirely new but doubtless
constitutional and legal, and is a
penalty which would be found dras-
tic and efficient.
The packers must within a reason
able time divest themselves OF stock
wards ownership or the stockyards
would be subject to operation by
receiver. All cars engaged in the
TRANSPORTATION of foodstuffs are 10
he made common carriers and sub
iect to general use, with due ac-
counting and payment to the owners
for use by others.
Both stockyards and cars must
eventually be acquired and recog7