The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-11-23
ASK CONSENT FOR
PACKERS MERGER
Armour Lays Proposal Before
Agriculture Secretary and
Attorney General.

AAHAANAANUs . AF4'A RA++N@tf
head Of the Chicago meat packing
house of Armour Company. present.
ed to Attorney General Dangherty
and Secretary wallace. ot the Depart
msnt Of Agriculture. presumably for
government approval. a proposal for
merging through purchase the physi-
cal assets OF another Of the Big
Five national packing houses with
Armour 4 Company
Which Of the concerns the Armour
organization proposes 70 absorb vas
not disclosed. although both Wilson
a Company and Morris & Company
OF the packing group have been men
toned 10 connection with. the plan.
oficials concerned RETAINED entirely
from expressing comment or opinion
IN the matter
Armour likewise declined TO make
any statement, except that he IN
tended 10 remain IN Washington for
another day II was assumed that a
desire 10 determine the legality OF
such a merger. in advance OF taking
any steps 10 complete IL, had led to
the consultation with officials
Secretary Wallace. after his confer
ence with Armour and several asso-
eiates who accompanied him 10 Wash
ington, issued a stntr .ept saying he
had expressed no opinion upon the
Armour plan. and II was indicated that
Attorney General Daugherty had ike
wise withheld decision, although i'm
mediate consideration was promised
for IL In his statement Wallace said
mir Armour and two members or
his stan were here and Informally
advised the secI tary that hey were
considering the matter Of purchasing
the physical assets of another pack
ing plant r secretary expressed
no opinion concerning the proposed
transaction. but will of course give i
the fullest consideration at the earli-
est possible date
"under the PacEers and Stock
yards act It Is unlawful for any
paeker 10 engage ~ any course oi
business or do any aet 9r the .purpose
or with effect OF manipulatirg or con.
trolling prices IN commerce, or or
creating q monopoly N acquisition
OF buying selling or dealing in' any
article Of commerce, or restraining
commerce
section G Of the Federal Trade
Commission act provides that the com
mission shall also have power to
gather and compile information con
cernine. and TO investigate from time
20 time. the organization. business.
conduct. practices and managem NJ
OF any corporation engaged IN com
merce, excepting banks and common
carriers subject q the act 20 regulate
commerce, and its relation to other
corporations and 20 individuals asso-
Citations and partnerships. This part
OF the Federal Trace Commission act
IS by reference made q part OF Section
402 of the Packers and Stockyards'
act
'sThe secretary has not expressed an
opinion as 10 whether the buying out
OF one packing concern by another
would be in contravention of the
Packers and Stockyards' act lie will
not express an opinion or talk for
publication on this matter until he
has had an opportunity to go into II
thoroughly"
There g. said % have been consider.
able discussion within the industry,
since the passage II these laws after
a long period q agitation backed by
farm organizations. developing tDs
epeeestion that cancellations among
the Rie Five" might he advantageous
IN business way and AZ the same
tifa. of.u Is nc public objection Neso-
tisfiors were uni rstood @ have
reached the stage where officials q
national farm organizations have been
asked 10 say whether such c9usoiida.
tfons. considering the deeree or gov.
eminent control already .u The Geld,
would be regarded 8 hostile By other
opponents * he lie stock Industry