No Groceries

The time was when Chicago meat packers had become an important factor in distributing other food products. Their widespread agencies, with 'transportation connections and refrigerator facilities, made it possible for them to distribute many grocery articles more cheaply than had been done previously.

At this stage, political interference came, based upon fears of a "Food Trust" as well as complaints by small carriers through the country from whom the packers bought. A long lawsuit followed, during which the packers proceeded to get out of the grocery business except for the sale of meat products. Now the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia has decreed that the packers can return to their original practises. But the packers are no longer interested.

Swift & Co. has announced that it does not intend in the future to handle grocery articles. Wilson & Co. and Cudahy & Co. have no intention of reengaging in the business. After Armour & Co. there is more doubt, although many predict that they too will not resume grocery wholesaling.

The net result is that the small canners have lost an invaluable market and distributing agency for their output, while consumers have probably had, as a result, to pay more for such goods than would have been possible had the large Chicago packing houses remained in the field.