PACKER ACT AMENDMENTS COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The committee met, pursuant to adjournment of yesterday, at 10 o'clock a. m., Hon. Gilbert N. Haugen (chairman) presiding. Present: Representatives Haugen (chairman), Purnell, Voigt, Tincher, Williams, Sinclair, Thompson, Clague, Clarke, Ketcham, Aswell, Kincheloe, Jones, Swank, Fulmer, Rubey, Johnson, Doyle, and McSweeney. The CHAIRMAN. The committee will kindly come to order. We have met this morning to consider several amendments to the packers and stock yards act of 1921. Mr. CLAGUE. Mr. Chairman, H. R. 4823 is an amendment to the packers and stockyards act amending section 406; H. R. 4824 is a bill to amend section 304 of the same act, and they are closely related. We will take up the consideration of those two bills together, thereby shortening the hearing. I will not make any statement regarding them at this time, because I have witnesses here and I can make my statement to the committee later. Before we begin taking evidence I would like to ask that the witnesses on these bills-they will be short-be allowed to make their statements first, and then, if anyone has any questions to be asked, they can be asked afterwards. Mr. PURNELL. I think that is very desirable this morning, in view of the fact that the House meets at 11 o'clock. The CHAIRMAN. What arrangement have you made as to the division of time, Mr. Clague? Mr. CLAGUE. I suppose the time should be divided equally between those for and those against. Mr. WILLIAMS. I should think that would be the best way to do it. The CHAIRMAN. Are you going to divide the time or give it all to one side to-day? Mr. WILLIAMS. The time will probably be used up this morning by the proponents, as our time is short. Mr. CLAGUE. The first witness on behalf of the proponents of the bill will be the assistant attorney general of the State of Minnesota, Mr. Victor E. Anderson, who will explain the purposes of the amendment. STATEMENT OF MR. VICTOR E. ANDERSON, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE OF MINNESOTA Mr. ANDERSON. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I am appearing in behalf of the State of Minnesota, its legal department, and the railroad and warehouse commission of the State which, under our law, 1 |