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QUESTIONS SUGGESTED BY THE TEXT

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1. Debate: Resolved, that we should adopt the policy of government ownership and operation of the packing houses.

2. Give an account of the coöperative packing houses at La Crosse, Wisconsin; Madison, Wisconsin; Fairbault, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota. 3. What is the social value of competition in large-scale industries?

4. Should the large packing houses be ordered to compete or to coöperate? 5. What method or system would best render the power of the Packers "responsible"?

REFERENCES

1. "The Beef Industry." Report of the Commissioner of Corporations, March 3, 1905. Washington, 1905.

2. "Report of the Federal Trade Commission on the Meat Packing Industry." Two Parts. Washington, 1918 and 1919. Summary and Part I, 1919; Part II, Evidence of Combination Among Packers, 1918.

3. Meat Situation in the United States. Five Parts:

I. "Statistics of Live Stock, Meat Production and Consumption, Prices and International Trade for Many Countries." By GEORGE K. HOLMES. (Report 109.)

II. "Live Stock Production in the Eleven Far Western Range States." By WILL C. BARNES, and JAMES T. JARDINE. (Report 110.)

III. "Methods and Costs of Growing Beef Cattle in the Corn Belt States." By J. S. COTTON, MORTON O. Cooper, W. F. WARD, and S. H. RAY. (Report 111.)

IV. "Utilization and Efficiency of Available American Feed Stuffs." By W. F. WARD and S. H. RAY. (Report 112.)

V. "Methods and Costs of Marketing Live Stock and Meats." By Louis D. HALL, F. M. SIMPSON and S. W. DOTY. (Report 113.) Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Washington, 1916.

4. "Proceedings of the Conference Relative to the Marketing of Live Stock: Distribution of Meats and Related Matters." Held by the Direction of DAVID FRANKLIN HOUSTON, Secretary of Agriculture. Conducted by the Office of Markets and Rural Organization, Charles J. Brand, Chief. Held at Chicago, November 15-16, 1915. 64 Cong., 1 Sess. House Doc. No. 855.

5. "Report of the United States Industrial Commission." 19 volumes. Vol. 6, pp. 225-267. Washington, 1898-1902.

6. "Swift and Company's Analysis and Criticism of Part II of the Report of the Federal Trade Commission on the Meat Packing Industry of November 25, 1918." Swift and Company, Chicago, April 5, 1919.

7. "Testimony of J. Ogden Armour on Behalf of Armour and Company, January 21, 1919, Before the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce in the Matter of the Investigation of the Packing Industry." H. R. 13324. Washington, 1919.

8. DE RICOLES, A. E.: "Statement Prepared by, on Live Stock Marketing Questions for the Use of Dwight B. Heard, President of the American National Live Stock Association, and the Market Committee of the American National Live Stock Association, and the Federal Trade Commission," n.d.

9.

"Address on Live Stock Marketing, Before the Third Annual Conference on Marketing and Farm Credits," Chicago, 1916.

10. WELD, L. D. H.: "A Big Vital American Industry. The Story of Swift & Company.' The Bankers' Magazine, January, 1919. Vol. XCVIII.

New York, 1919. 11.

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"From Live Cattle to Beef." Cornell Countryman, April, 1919, Ithaca, New York.

12. ARMOUR, J. OGDEN: "The Packers, the Private Car Lines and the People." Philadelphia, 1906.

13. Scientific American, November 7, 1857. Article on the First Refrigerator Car.

14. LEFFINGWELL, ALBERT: "American Meat" (on order).

15. ANDES, LOUIS E.: "Animal Fats and Oils."

16. WILDER, F. W.: "Wilder's Modern Packing House."

17. "Douglas's Encyclopedia of the Meat Packing Industry."

18. NIMMO, JOSEPH: "Report in Regard to the Range and Ranch Cattle Business of the United States." Annual report on the internal commerce of the U. S., 1885, pp. 95-294, with five maps. U. S. Treasury Department, Bureau of Statistics. Reprinted without the maps. House Exec. Document, No. 267, 48 Cong. 2 Session.

19. "Testimony taken by the Select Committee of the United States Senate on the Transportation and Sale of Meat Products." Washington, 1889. 20. "The Sheep and Wool Industry in the United States." Special Bulletin, Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Washington, April 26, 1918.

APPENDIX

Stabilizing Supplies and Prices.-A report of the Conference held in Chicago, March 10th and 11th, 1919, between representatives of the Kansas Live Stock Association, The Corn Belt Meat Producers Association, Missouri Live Stock Breeders Association, Illinois Live Stock Association, Illinois Agricultural Association, The Buyers and Sellers Association of Texas, and representatives of seventeen packing companies.

Proposed Agreement for the "Conference Committee" of the Live Stock Industry.At a conference held in Chicago on March 10 and 11, 1919, the representatives of the Kansas Live Stock Association, Corn Belt Meat Producers' Association, Missouri Live Stock Association, Illinois Live Stock Association, and The Buyers' and Sellers' Association of Texas met with the five large packers and eleven other packers.

It is the sense of those participating in the conference that it would be to the mutual benefit of the live-stock industry, the packers, and the consumer, that steps should be taken to bring about a closer coöperation between the various interests concerned.

Realizing that the live-stock industry is on the threshold of an era of reconstruction. and with the prospect of removal of such control as has been exercised by the Food Administration during the war period, we are impressed with the importance of reaching a better understanding of the problems affecting the whole industry, and of effecting, if possible, more economic methods of production and distribution to the end that our businesses may be placed on a sounder basis, and in order that the finished product be furnished the consumer at a minimum price compatible with cost of production.

It is suggested that these ends may be obtained through the formation of a central committee composed of producers and representatives of the packing industry, the Bureau of Markets, and the National Live Stock Exchange, which should meet in Chicago once a month, or oftener, if necessary, for the purpose of taking such measures as may tend toward the stabilization of live stock receipts at various markets, and for the further purpose of studying one another's problems, of adjusting grievances, and of inaugurating such systems as will be helpful to the producer, the packer, and the consumer. The greatest possible publicity should be given to all of the proceedings. It is understood that if this proposal becomes effective it shall not be construed as in any way restraining the activities of the parties hereto in working for or against the passage of pending or future federal legislation for the regulation of the packing and allied industries. Its purpose is wholly constructive, looking to a better understanding and fuller coöperation between all interests involved.

It is obviously to the best interests of all concerned that receipts of live stock at all markets should be stabilized and distributed as evenly as possible in order that a five-day market may be established for all classes of live stock, and to this end it shall be distinctly the function of the committee to make effective such measures as may be possible for the accomplishment of this object.

It is contemplated that the producer shall obtain and furnish the committee all important information concerning the supply of meat animals in the various sections of the country. Shall advise the committee regarding feed conditions, and the amount of live stock which shall be ready for market during the various seasons, and in other ways be a source from which valuable information, including cost of production, may be placed at the disposal of the committee.

It is contemplated that the packers shall prepare and submit to the committee information relative to the amount of finished product on hand, the foreign and home demands for meat products, together with the cost of live animals and the expense of slaughter, packing, and distribution of the finished products. The packers shall recommend any plans which tend to reduce their expense of operation, such as the equalization of receipts, etc.

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It is contemplated that the committee shall carefully investigate the annual earnings of the packing industry, including all the subsidiary companies; it shall be the privilege of the committee to employ a committee of public accountants of recognized standing to audit the yearly statements of the packers. Any statements or figures furnished to the committee by the packers, or by the producers, from time to time, may also be subject to verification by public accountants. Whenever duplication and unnecessary overhead expense are disclosed, it shall be the duty of the committee to recommend the elimination of the same.

It is contemplated that whenever certain methods and systems used by the producers may be shown to be wasteful or detrimental to the industry, it shall be the duty of the committee to recommend the elimination of the same.

It is contemplated that in regulating the receipts of livestock during abnormal times it will be essential that the committee shall have the support of the Railroad Administration or the Interstate Commerce Commission to the end that the regulation of transportation as recommended by this committee may control the receipts at market centers.

We feel that the membership of this central committee should be composed of the following representatives: One from the Bureau of Markets of the United States Department of Agriculture; two from the National Livestock Exchange, ten packers, and ten producers, representing the cattle, hog, and sheep industries, with alternates-a total of twenty-three. This central committee shall have authority to add one representative of the stockyards and one of the railroads, if it sees fit.

It is understood that the producers here present will take steps as soon as possible to notify all livestock producing organizations of the action here taken, and to call a general meeting of three delegates from each state, to be selected by the State Associations, and three delegates at large from each of the National Livestock Associations and the Southern Livestock Association, and it shall be the province of this meeting to select the ten producer representatives that are to serve on the central committee.

It is contemplated that the producers will exercise the utmost care and diligence in selecting their representatives, who will be men of unquestioned standing and ability, and that the packers shall name as their representatives the principals of the institutions represented.

It is understood that this committee, when appointed, shall formulate the rules and regulations governing its operation, and that a producer shall be selected as its chairman. The headquarters of the committee we feel should be in Chicago.

The permanent committee shall create the sub-committees at various markets and shall formulate the rules and regulations governing their operations. The purpose of these local committees is the immediate adjustment of any grievances, such as dilatory handling of excessive variations in the purchase price paid for the same grade of live stock on the same day. We suggest that the financing of this organization be divided equally between the packing industry and the live stock associations, and that the methods of raising the necessary funds be left to the central committee.

Parties Who Participated in the Conference Were:

Geo. T. Donaldson, President Kansas Live Stock Association, Greensburg, Kan.
J. H. Mercer, Secretary Kansas Live Stock Association, Topeka, Kan.

Pet Nation, Kansas Live Stock Association, Hutchinson, Kan.

John Edwards, Kansas Live Stock Association, Eureka, Kan.

Dan Casement, Kansas Live Stock Association, Manhattan, Kan.

Arnold Berns, Kansas Live Stock Association, Peabody, Kan.

C. L. Daughters, Kansas Live Stock Association, Manhattan, Kan.

J. G. Imboden, President Illinois Live Stock Association, Decatur, Illinois.

Carl Marshall, Illinois Live Stock Association, Ipava, Illinois.

E. F. Keefer, Illinois Live Stock Association, Chicago, Illinois.

C. D. Yancey, President Missouri Live Stock Association, Liberty, Mo.

S. P. Houston, Vice-President Missouri Live Stock Association, Malta Bend, Mo.

S. T. Simpson, Secretary Missouri Live Stock Association, Columbia, Mo.

A. W. Nelson, Missouri Live Stock Association, Bunceton, Mo.

A. Sykes, President Corn Belt Meat Producers' Association, Ida Grove, Iowa.

Henry C. Wallace, Secretary Corn Belt Meat Producers' Association, Des Moines. E. L. Burke, Omaha, Nebraska.

T. F. Moody, Buyers' and Sellers' Association of Texas, Canadian, Texas.

Peter Fleming, Prairie Farmer, Chicago.

Thos. E. Wilson, Wilson & Company, Chicago.

V. D. Skipworth, Wilson & Company, Chicago.

R. F. Eagle, Wilson & Company, Chicago.
Arthur Meeker, Armour & Company, Chicago.
J. Ogden Armour, Armour & Company, Chicago.
R. D. McManus, Armour & Company, Chicago.
Edward F. Swift, Swift & Company, Chicago.
G. F. Swift, Swift & Company, Chicago.
T. H. Ingwersen, Swift & Company, Chicago.
W. B. Traynor, Swift & Company, Chicago.
L. D. H. Weld, Swift & Company, Chicago.
Edward Morris, Morris & Company, Chicago.
D. R. Buckham, Morris & Company, Chicago.
E. A. Cudahy, Cudahy & Company, Chicago.

Parties Who Participated in the Conference Were-(Continued):

J. G. Connie, Dold Packing Company, Buffalo.

E. C. Merritt, Indianapolis Packing Company, Indianapolis.

J. R. Kingan, Kingan Packing Company, Indianapolis.

James Craig, Parker Webb, Detroit.

L. D. Nash, Cleveland Provisions Company, Cleveland.

F. J. Sullivan, Sullivan Packing Company, Detroit.

A. I. Eberhardt, Hornell Packing Company, Austin, Texas.

W. R. Miller, Miller & Hart, Chicago.

G. Bishoff, Independent Packing Company, St. Louis.

Chas. I. Hammond, Hammond-Standish Packing Company, Detroit.

C. H. Nuckles, Nuckles Packing Company, Pueblo, Colorado.

W. G. Eckart, Pueblo, Colorado.

Harold Swift, Swift & Company, Chicago.

Stabilizing Supplies and Prices. (A Producers' Committee of Fifteen, Chosen at Kansas City, April 12, 1919.)-"It is the sense of those participating in the conference that it would be to the mutual benefit of the live-stock industry, the packers and the consumers, that steps should be taken to bring about a closer cooperation between the various interests concerned.

Realizing that the live-stock industry is on the threshold of an era of reconstruction, and with the prospect of removal of such control as has been exercised by the Food Administration during the war period, we are impressed with the importance of reaching a better understanding of the problems affecting the whole industry, and of effecting, if possible, more economic methods of production and distribution, to the end that our businesses may be placed on a sounder basis, and in order that the finished product be furnished the consumer at a minimum price compatible with cost of production.

"It is recommended that these ends may be promoted through the formation of a committee of live-stock producers which shall meet from time to time as may be found necessary, and counsel with similar committees representing the packers and other interests. Said producers' committee shall be selected at a national meeting composed of delegates from the several states (said delegates to be selected at state meetings attended by representatives of the various producers' organizations), and the members to represent the range cattle industry, the cattle-feeding industry, the hog industry and the sheep industry, the proportion of representation and the number constituting the committee to be decided by the national convention. Said convention shall be planned and called by the committee of fifteen which it is now proposed to create.

"Pending said national convention and the appointment of said committee, a live-stock producers' committee shall now be formed as follows:

"The committee shall consist of fifteen members, of whom four shall represent the range interests, eight the feeding states, two the hog industry and one the sheep industry. Those representing the range interests shall be selected, two by the American National Live Stock Association, one by the Cattle Raisers' Association of Texas, and one by the Southern Cattlemen's Association. Those representing the feeding interests shall be selected one each by the associations of the states of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Indiana, and two by the associations of the states in territory east of Indiana. The two representatives of the hog industry shall be named by joint action of the various national swine associations, and the one representing the sheep industry shall be named by the National Wool Growers' Association. The committee thus created shall have full authority to meet with the committees representing the packers and other interests and to do whatever may seem to it to be necessary to promote the interests of the producers, by taking such measures as may tend toward the stabilization of the live-stock industry and for the further purpose of studying one another's problems, of adjusting grievances, and of inaugurating such systems as will be helpful to the producer, the packer and the consumer. The various associations are requested before May 10th to select their representatives on this committee of fifteen, and the committee shall meet at Chicago on May 15th, at which time it shall organize, elect its own chairman and secretary, and provide for such sub-committees as it may deem necessary to carry out the purposes for which it is created.

"To effect the proposed organization, a committee of six, in addition to himself as chairman, shall be chosen at this time by the chairman of this meeting, to put this plan into effect without delay, to notify the various state producers' associations, and to invite the packers and other interests to cooperate with the producers' committee thus created in promoting the meat industry of the nation."

NOTE. The Producers' Committee of Fifteen failed to function, and the committee was dissolved in November, 1919. Its work was turned over to the American Federation of Farm Bureaus. The action of the committee in dissolving itself did not have the universal approval of the stockmen whom it was supposed to represent.

CHAPTER XXIV

TAXATION PROBLEMS: SINGLE TAX; PROTECTIVE TARIFF

I. SINGLE TAX

THE writings of Henry George have popularized the single tax in our own land and in many other lands. The fervor of his eloquence, the beauty and grace of his literary style, and the pure sincerity of his motives have given his work a strong appeal. He has succeeded, as few writers have, in yoking together economics and ethics.

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Definition. A single tax means a tax on land value. By land value is meant the rental value of the land, what it is worth annually for use, its economic rent. The word land, as used by the single taxers, includes minerals, water, oils, and every other thing of value created by nature and forming a part of the earth; and, conversely, the word land excludes all buildings, structures, and creations of man upon or in the land. To illustrate. If the single tax were applied as a substitute for all other forms of taxes, as its name implies it should be, there would cease to be any tax on incomes, or inheritances, on personal property, on imports, on business, on consumption, and so on. In the city, all buildings and their contents would be exempt from taxation-the land value alone being taxed. In the country, there would be no tax on houses, barns, other buildings, live stock, tools, grain, or any kind of personal property-the land value alone being taxed.

Incidence of the Tax.-The tax burden would be the same total amount, whether the money were secured from the single tax as advocated or from the multiple taxes now in use. But it would fall on different persons on the owners of land values. The farmer, thinking of the millions of acres of farm lands as against the relatively few acres of city land, wonders whether the single tax would not shift the tax burden in large part from the city to the country. Obviously not. For the bulk of the land value is in the cities. Thus the land values in New York City alone are worth more than the total farm land values of one-half the States in the Union. The tax burden, therefore, under the single tax, would somewhat raise taxes in cities and lower taxes on farms, should the single tax be applied at once over the whole nation. However, if the single tax were applied in a State having no great metro

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