El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-02-27
PACKER DECREE
FILED IN COURT
CONTINUED from page -

cree. Mr.. Palmer said in announcing
IL last December. would have the ef-
feet OF establishing the principle
that no group OF men no matter how
powerful can ever attempt 10 con-
troll the food table OF the American
people or any one OF the necessities
OF component parts OF it."
The attitude OF the packers was
summed up at that time by NJ H.
Borders. general counsel for Morris
spirit Of true Amerlcanism" OF the
packing Industry. Henry Needer.
counsel for Swift and company as
serted his company had met the re-
quest OF the government because il
was felt that the same spirit which
caused the business men OF the coun-
try 70 submit 10 personal sacrifices
during the war is just essential dur
ing the period Of reconstruction"
Packers Admit No Guilt.
II W Borders, attorney for Norris
and company, made the following
statement in bLhalf OF counsel for
all OF the defendants;
These defendants have consented
70 this decree and TO give up certain
businesses, not because OF guilt for
they have not violated any law: but
that the American people may be as
sured that there is not the remotest
possibility OF a food monopoly by the
packers; that the constant criticism
and agitation Ievelled at this vital
industry. which is seriously iniuring
not only It, but the people generally.
may cease: that a better understand
ing and feeling between this industry
and the public may be reestablished-
and that conditions in this uncertain
and dangerous period OF reconstruc-
ton may be stabilized and the eff
cheney and benefits Of this great in
distinguishing as IL does IN a prime
necessity Of life. q highly perishable
product-may be preserved
In dealing with this great ques-
ton so Intimately connected with the
welfare OF all the people, IL must be
borne in mind that the packer occu-
pies a most delicate and difficult po-
sitiou, 70 which there is nothing an
alloEous IN American business. He Is
between millions Of produ ers on one
side demanding a high price for the
live meat animal. ana 100. 0Q0, 900 con-
sumers on the other side. demanding
cheap meat; and there cannot be
cheap meat on the table of the con-
sumer when the packer pays a high
price for the live animal 70 the pro-
Queer.
Performs Vital Work.
'He Is thus the constant target OF
criticism and abuse and his business
between these two great conflicting
force. is. naturally, the most sensi-
tive IN the world TO criticism and
which are necessarily felt in the
final analysis by both the producer
and the consumer. II the packer as
a slaughtersr and distributor OF
meats and meat food products does
his work efficiently and at a reason
able profit, then he is performing a
most vital work for the people. That
the packing industry IS efficient and
is conducted on the smallest margin
of profit OF any large basic Industry
in the country. the defendants stand
ready and willing 10 demonstrate al
all times
.If this statement IS true as 20
profits. which we most solemnly as
sert, then IL IS IN the interest Of
every man. woman and child in this
nation that this essential and com
pick industry-with its many prob
lens and difficulties-be given just.
fair and equitable treatment For
these reasons and in the sincerr be-
lief that these things viii be thor
oughly demonstrated throughout
whatever subsequent proceedings
take place in this case, We have con
scented 10 this decree"