The sun., 1919-08-31
PACKERS PRESIDENT
URGES SUPERVISION
r.. e. Wilson Suggests Advis-
DRY Board to Regulate the
Supply and Demand.
BOOKS SHOULD BE PUBLIC
Declares Farming Must Be
Commercialized and All
Speculation Ended.

CHICAGO, Aug. 80.-Thomas Z. Wilson
president of Wilson & Co., packers, ant
chairman of the Institute of American
Meat Packers, in a statement to-da,
gave his opinions as to what the packers
need, what Is wrong with them and hi
views of the future of the industry. II
view of criticism of the meat packlnJ
industry the institute put the three point
In the form of questions for the chair
man to answer. He suggested five need
as follows:
An accounting commission, COM
posed of recognized, certified public
accountants, divorced from politics. to
audit the paciIers books every year
and make public an understandable
report.
A non-politlcal investigative body
to examine the meat industry from
calf to steak and give out the facts
ascertained, with recommendations
for improvements.
An advisory conference committee
comprising both packers and pro-
ducers, with consumers and the Gov
eminent both represented, to try to
stabilize somewhat the relation be-
tween supply and demand. that Is to
try to anticipate the demand for meat
products and influence the produc-
ton and shipment OF live stock ac-
cordirgly.
A definite determinations as to
whether producers and other groups
are hurt or helped by packers inter-
ests In stock yards.
Some special agency, composed OF
recognized economists, to report on
the causes of the high cost of living.
Violent fluctuations in the price Of
live stock is one thing wrong with the
marketing. Mr.. Wilson said. To remedy
this he offered his third point--a confer
ence of representatives of the packers
producers. Government and consumers.
"Such committee operating with
Government participation could take
constructive steps toward apportioning
supply and demand" Mr.. Wilson said.
The farmers now represent 40 per
cent, of the total population of the coun-
try, with the ratio diminishing steadily
Two things, according to the statement
must be done:
First. farming must be commercial
lied. If the farmer becomes a business
man the country must realize it nc
longer can live off his toll without ade-
quate compensation.
Secondly, production must have a
speaking acquaintance with consump-
tion-with demand. 1t is uneconomic to
raise more food than is needed and then
turn around because prices are low and
raise lees food than is needed. In some
way demand must be forecast and pro-
duction measured accordingly"
Investigation by non-political body
and a non-political economic commission
would advance merchandising by al
f IL
diets.
AN economic commission, made up OF
real experts could tell US how to reduce
the sum which consumers OF food pay
for items of overhead, which do not ap.
pear in the package, but appear in the
price" the statement continued
'"fhere should be one other investiga.
tive body besides those already men.
to report on the causes Of
Tire high cost OF living. II we do moi
have such an investigation we shall
cruelty a number of innocent individual.
and businesses before we are done viii
our blind guessing" MIR Wilson added.