Arizona republican., 1920-02-28

The decree, which must be carried out within two years, affects IT cor porations and 49 individuals, of which Swift & company Morris X Co, Arm our & company, Wilson x compahy, and the Cudahy Packing company are ma jor members.
 - In his statement to the court, MT. Palmer said the decree was sweeping in its scope,'' adding that he was sure it would be highly beneficial to the public in it's effect
 Describes Decree
 "The decree" he saids is designed to restore freedom of competition. and increase the opportunities for individ- Ual initiation in business, which must in time bear good fruit for the pvblic welfare. In brief, the decree removes the menace of control of unrelated in- dustries by the big five and confines their activities in future to the busi- ness of distributing meat and its by products under an injunction which restraints them from unfair and un- lawful practices"
 M w Border in making a joint statement for the defendants, said 1t was not guilt which prompted the packers to enter into the decree. for they have not violated any law" ln- stead, the packers. he said, desired to assure the American people that monopoly of the food supply by the packers was not possible; to stop criticism of the industry, damaging alike to it and to the people; to pro- mote better understanding between the industry and the public during .'the dangerous period. of .reconstruc- tion," and to stabilize conditions in order that the efficiency and benefits of the industry might be preserved.
 That the packing industry is ef ficient and conducted on the smallest margin of profits of any large basic industry in the country" he said, '.the defendants stand ready and willing to demonstrate at all times. If this is true as to profits, which we most solemnly assert, then it is to the inter est of every man. woman and child in this nation that this essential and com Dlex industry be given just, fair, and equitable treatment.
 How Decree Works
 Attorney General Palmer in a state ment commenting on the effect of the divorcement decree. said
 The decree, which the department of justice has brought about by urgent insistence, is designed to restore free dom of competition and increase the opportunities for individual initiative in business. which must in time bear good fruit for the public welfare.
 Those great aggregations of capi- tai which have come to be known as the big five have been able to dom mate so Hlany lines OI trade that their continued and unrestrained growth constituted real menace. not only to American business, but to the American consuming public as well.
 Under the decree entered today, the chief packing companies, their sub sidiaries, and principal stockholders are compelled to sell preferable to livestock producers and the public:
 All their holdings in public stock yards.
 
 All their interest in stockyard rail- roads and terminals:
 All their interest in market news papers;
 All their interest in public cold storage warehouses, except that which is necessary for their own meat proz ducts.
 They are barred forever from the retail meat business
 They are barred forever from deal ing in unrelated lines which include: Wholesale groceries, fresh. canned. salted fish, fresh, dried or canned vegetables: fresh crushed, drier. evap-