r
, - - ' v ' v ' . . ' , .1
- . - V THE OMAHA- BEE. " " . ' ' ' j- 1
l , . . . . V
The Representatives of "The -Committee oi 1 9'l'vs.- "The Committee of 21
' of the Skinner Packing Company
9)
Extracts From a Letter t rom W. C. Fraser )o Members
of "The Committee of 21," in Which He Seeks to Influ
ence That Body.
of
Lav Offices of ;
crofoot. fraser, connolly & stryker
omaha national bank bldo,, . ;
' ,1m. 1. V.hmok.
' June 30, 1910.
Idr. W. K. Sutton,
Wahoo, Nebraska.
Dear Sir:
It may seem to you to be presumptuous on our pyt, nt first blush. In sddressing
I this letter to you. We do ao, however, We realize, that stockholders, who
by occupation are farmers, stock raisers, physicians and other various occupations,
seldom have occasion to become involved you will ultimately be held ce-
aponaible. if your action causes your neighbor's to be satisfied and it' ultimately
turns Out that your judgement was wrong.
The writer and his associates, as you probably know; -were not permitted to
attend, toe meeting.-
You have now publicly and In printing gone on record as stating that the meet
Ins was not packed. . -
The statements made in the bulletin got out by the Committee of Nine were
ell and all taken from the report of the bu'oau of securities 'of the state of
Nebraska. .
The stats of Nebraska, after completing its Investigation, demands two things
of the Skinners and has commenced action to enforce thesa demands, towlt: Sur
render by th Skinners of all stoc which they issued to thsmeelves control
of the Skinner Packing company .
The Skinners tell you, that they have disgorged the more than $$,000,000 worth
of stock, which they wrsmgfully held, That fact alone should stamp them
as unfit to remain in control of the company ,
We call your attention to a few facts stated in the printed statement
Paul F. Skinner distributed at tho meeting of June 29, 1910.
He lists as assets of the company:
Bond discounts, etc $421, 301. 59
Promotion and organization . y. ; 848,123.28
These Items are gone the money has been paid out and cannot fairly be con
idsred as assets. ,
He says, "My hands are absolutely clean in' the matter of the finance and man
agement of this organization. Are his hands clean when he, one of the di
rectors of the company, authorized the payments of dividends- of approximately
1100.000? Are his hands clean when he took $60,000 out of the treasury of
the packing company in order to effect a deal for the purchase of the baking
company? Are his hands clean when he himself and other officers represented
to the state of Nebraska that all stock would be sold y the officera of the com
pany? Are his hands clean when a report was made to the s'tate of Ne-
braska and advertisements were distributed broadcast through the state that stock
was being sold at cost of about 12, whereas. In fact,' according to the state's
report, It cost the company 22 ?
Paul says In his statement that the 167.300 shares of stock Issued to Lloyd
and himself represented only a voting control of the Skinner company have you
stopped to consider how you, as a stockholder, who Invested his money In this com
pany or your company like the idea of the stockholders' meeting?
Have yon analyzed their plam for creating a board of seven directors? It is as
follows: D. O. Robertson, Robert! Gllmore and Paul F. Skinner, the present board,
have made arrangements, they say, with W. H. Furgesen to become a fourth mem
ber of the board. (This is conditional however, on certain things being done to
. llr. Furgeson's satisfaction, which, In our opinion, cannot be and never will be
accomplished.) In addition to these four, then three are to be added to the board
from twenty-one nominated at Paul's meeting. Who Is to select the three? Not
tho stockholders themselves, but the present board of directors. .
Later on in the statement he says' that they are willing to provide that a
i vote of five of the board will be required to pass any motion.
Has it occasioned any thought in your mind that the Skinners have within
sixty days employed four separate and dtatlnet sets of Attorneys? . .
Did you observe that at the meeting of Saturday, June 26, the stoox'holders
were given no opportunity to select their own chairman; that Paul Skinner called
from the audience Mr. Hungerford of your committee to serve "as chairman?
Our recollection is that Hungerford is the man who, at the meeting held at the
Omaha auditorium got up and made a "flowery" speech in favor of the
8klnners and wanted to put through a vote of confidence in them, before the. re
port of the state's Investigation was made. v
We note In today's papers the statement that tho "Committee of Nine," whom
wo represent, and, who protested to the governor about the Saturday meeting, are
the owners of $1,800 in stock. .
The committee we represent want this plant continued b an Independent plant.
T&ey 1 want s new company organized by the present stockholders. This new
company to take over the assets of the present Skinner Packing company,
finance the company for future operations from the stockholders themselves, as
will have to be done, select suitable management, and operate and conduct the busi
ness honestly. Intelligently, and In tho sole interest of tho owners of the property.
The statement or affidavits to the effect that this committee and its
attorney wore to receive 20 of the stock for their services are so preposterous
that they should not require, a denial, but, in order that there be no doubt in your
mind, they are denied absolutely and unqualifiedly.
Vou members of the Committee of 21 should give serious consideration and
thought to the statement distributed by Paul Skinner:
Water which, has gone over the dam cannot be called back, but don't, for heaven's
sake, permit the same' people who spilled the water over the dam to wreck the
dam Itself and let loose all the water. .
Th6"-fact that the plant is not being operated at present Is not a detriment to
tbe company. The plant should be ready for operation by fall, bi It
should be put on a sound basis before that time.
Walter W. Head, vice president of the Omaha National bank, who was sug
gested as one of -.your Committee of 21, has stated that he never was consulted
about serving on the board of directors and that he would not serve under any
conditions. - '
REMEMBER THIS ANT) GIVE IT DUE THOUGHT. THAT THE STATE OF
NEBRASKA WOULD NEVER- HAVE COMMENCED THE TWO BIG SUITS AGAINST
THE SKINNER PACKING COMPANY UNLESS ITS INVESTIGATION HAD DIS
CIX5SED THAT THE CONDITION OF THE TWO COMPANIES WAS ROTTEN. -'
Yours respectfully,
t CROFOOT, FRASER, CONNOLLY & STRYKER. .
- Attorneys for Stockholders' Committee of Nine.
. By W. C. Fraser.
' NOTE: The above letter Is published only In excerpts because It is a f lye
page, closely typewritten letter which could have carried all of Its force and effect
In the above lines instead of the whole five pages. Space in the newspapers costs
money. It is therefore "boiled" down.
Answers From Members of "The Committee of 21"
to Mr. Fraser. '
v .Fairfield, Nebraska,
1 July 12, 1920.
Mr. W. C. Fraser. , I
Crofoot, Fraser, Connolly & Stryker,
Omaha, Nebraska.
Dear sir:
' Your favor of some days ago, addressed to me as a member of the Committee of
Twenty-one of the Skinner Packing Company stockholders, was duly received by me
but, owing to the fr-t that I have been very busy in my farm work and the; further
" fact that I consideruo your letter as being tricky and not addressed me -In si spirit of
fairness, I have refrained from answering, and really thought that I would not an
awor at all. . V
Later, while thinking the matter over, I just thought I would write you a few
lines to say that you are the lonly one who has stooped or tried to Influence me in
any way in my work on rbM as a member of the. Committee of Twenty-one. Paul F.
Skinner and Lloyd M. Skmncr and all others in connection with the management of
the 8kinner Packing Company have merely answered questions put to thorn (by the
Committee and shown all books and papers requested' by the Committee, but In no
way have they sought to try to manage or buy or coerce the Committee. I can see
- now, I think, how it Is that tho Committee of Nine, elected at tho Howe, meeting have
and are acting the way they are. It Is evidently at the guidance of your guiding
band. The Committee of Twonty-one, Mr. Fraser, was not elected by the stockhold
ers to be guided by any nerson or persons and, it has not, as yet, nor will be so
guided, .
Your advice and pleadings are not wished by me and I hope and believe that you
rill meet with the same result in your efforts with the others of the Committee of
Twenty-one. ' It is no wonder to me now, since I am on the inside, how it is that spe
daily appointed Committees, appointed tor certain purposes, come out of their delib
erations with ear marks such as they sometimes do. '
' 1 own a great many thousand lqUrs- of stock in the Skinner Packing company
and .1 know that my stock Is and will be worth a hundred cents on the dollar and a
good-premium on top of that within a short time, if the Skinner management are al
lowed complete and unmolested control. "x ,
The Stockholders of the Skinner Packing Company should form In an army and
;osne in and "wait on" some of you people who are striving to Cripple nd break up
their plant. Perhaps In future, some of you would not be so fast In trying to butt in
on things that do not concern you or perhaps Hot to sell your services to others who
mm to want to steal our Independent plant.
Assuring you that no further communication from you la desired by me and that
all your efforts to work me over will be futile, I remain,
, Yours very truly,
H. W. CHL'jfCHILL.
Mr. W. a Fraser, Wahoo.- Neb., July J. 1920.
Attorney at Law, umaha, Neo,
Dear Sir: '
Your letter givlqjf me free legal advice just received. I waa not present at
the Tlowe mass meeting but I understand that you thero invited stockholders! to em
ploy yon as their attorney to bring suits against the company. I did not then favor
such suits and do, hot now favor them. I "did not then desire to employ you as
my lawyer, and do not new, thank you Just the same.
I understand that Mr. Ritchie, the attorney for tts company, has possession
of mors tacts about this than the other lawyers, and believe he has told us the'
truth. Do you mean to say he has not?
I know that the meeting was not packed or Unfairly conducted. I was there
'myself and so know mora than you, do about it. Your clients were present and
were given a fair hearing;
We have consulted the accountant of Arthur Toung and .company and are satis
fied that they told us the truth. We know that the state's examiner said of his report
that It was not a complete audit. AreTtur Young and company say they liave
worked months on the books. Which one should we believe?
Te examined the nil nut e of the meetings word for word and are satisfied that
the affairs of the coujpany are in good condiyon, and that the things you com
vlain of were not so.-'or were corrected before any law suits were started.
We 'are satisfied that the report of Arthur -Young and company, which says
that the promotion expense of the company is under 12 H is true. .
The board of directors has agreed that the Committee of 21 shall elect the
other members of the board, and I am satisfied we can make a good selection.
We have resented your statements In the paper that the committee was hand picked
"henchmen of the Skinners," (and know this waa not so. et a responsible busl
. ness man In this city told our committee that you, Mr. ""Fraser, had a great deal
to do in picking Mr, Chittenden . and others of your Committee of Nine, at the.
time of the Howe meeting: ;
S I have asked a banker friend of mine about your statement regarding ths list
of assets. He tells me that these were properly listed as assets and are not
misleading; that It la just a matter of bookkeeping. This statement of yours makes
ne that much more determined In my belief that you are not trying to be fair.
- If you coNild have seen Mr. Holland, you Would believe as I do that his story
H correct. Even Mr. Davis of your committee told us there was something in
this, he explained 10 cents a share. Why elon't you explain thltulf you can?
I hope the law suits now pending will soon be dismissed and cannot accent
ynur xjee aavice. yours very truly. V v
(Signed) W. R. SUTTON.
L
4
Fairfield. Neb., July J. 1S20.
Mr. !w. C. Fraser,
(Crofoot, Fraser, Connolly Slryker) '
Omaha, Neb. ' .
Dear Sir Tour letter of June 30th received. Tout advice seems superfluous as
I aa one .of the "Committee, of 21" which spent nearly two days going over the
Company's Minute Books, 'which we had read from the beginning up to the present
"time, showing all proceedings of the meetmgs of the Board and also a report of ths
Arthur Young and Company Auditors, which spent weeks carefully auditing the Com
pany Booka; whereby we htseeur judgment. v
r wag not at the Howe raeeBng; but asaume from 'reliable stockholder that wer
there that it was a fair representation of the stockholders In, the Skinner Packing
Company, and they selected "a 'Committee of Nine" to ask Jhe state' to investigate.
The state did not and could not give a correct report in so short a time, and did not
g4v the Skinnrrs a chAce to correct any errors therein, before publishing, ths same,
. which we consider wisViot fair o the part f the state. . V.
Now the fact that they have dissolved the Bakery and Mscftronl Company from
tho Packing Company and the Arthur Young Auditing Company, which la one of the
most, reliable companies in the United States, have carefully audited that Company's
Books, and find they cannot charge anything up to promotion to exceed 1114. We
therefore consider the beat inttrtst ot the stockholders would be to ask tha atat to
. r
diamlsa the case 'agair.st the tfKihriers "and atop Mrther litigation, and I do not
consider anyone a friend or tho stockholders or their interests who advocates further
litigation, as it can only result in disaster and great loss to the company. The "Com
mittee of Nine'' exceeded their authority and did so wholly on their owh responsibility
after they had reported to the Second meeting of stockholders at the Packing Plant
June 26 and both sidea had a fair hearing: and said meetlmr was not Racked as
charged, there being nearly live hundred stockholders who, , after hearing both sides
discussed, voted to exonerate the Skinners and ask the state to dismiss tho charges
against them. Then and. there Is where the "Committee of Nine's" mission ended,
and anything further they are doing they should be held responsible Individually for
the delay and great loss they aro causing daily.
The vote of the large number of stockholders that were present and were nearly
Uffranimous should be regarded as final.
There were over four hundred stockholders at the Packing House- Meeting. June
it. that came there jis I did, solely to look after their own Interests, and a majority
of thorn, as shown by their first vote, were for prosecuting the Skinners, being misled
by the false representation and colorlr.-g given by the Associated Tress and the "Com
mittee of Nine:" but after hearing the report road and the matter fully discussed,
decided by their vote, as aforesaid to exonerate the Skinners and stop further liti
gation, -v ,
I was at the Rome Hotel. I paid my own expense clear through and as near as
I cam ascertain the others who stopped there did the- same. Not more than about two
dozen stockholders stayed there, and I found they were wholly undecided what to
think until sfter the meeting.
The fact that there were several stockholders on the ."Committee of 21," each
one owning more stock than the combined: holdings of the- whole "Comnf'tttee of
Nine.1 ought to have some weight as to the committee's standing.
And in closing I will say, as I have said before, I cannot consider anyone who
will advocate further litigation to have tho best Interest of the stockholders at heart,
and hope the "Committee of Nine" will cease to agitate for such further.
. Yours truly
PETER HAKANSON.
Beaver City,
Neb., July 7, 1920.
W. C. Fraser, Esq..,
Omaha, Neb. N
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 30th duly received, and in reply will state that the examin
ation of the Skinner Packing company's boks were not Intended as a complete
audit. We were assured by the representative of Arthur Young and company that
the Information we obtained was correct. I understood that the state had authorized
them to audit the books. And having made sisch authorization will accept their
statement. I feel ajire when their examination Is given out that it will he found
that our report was correct. I might say that Arthur Young and company had
a representative that had been working on the books three weeks' when I was there.
You jtate that your bulletin was taken from the report of the bureau of securities
of Hie state of Nebraska, and not from a, paid "accountant -f the Skinners. After
all, there may be a dispute between accountants, but even then I have known ac
countants to be mistaken. I believe you will find that true of your accountant.
I certainly believe that tire meeting at the Skinner Packing company was thor
oughly representative of the stockholders. I believe every stockholder was notified
of the meeting, and had a chance, to be there. I am sure of one thing that the
stockholders here wont to the meeting against the Skinners, but after the meet
ing thought the best thing ,for the stockolders is to try and run the plant if tRe
state will permit. As regajrd to rooms- at the Rome hotel, will state that I have
never been at the Rome hotel and know nothing about that part of your assertion.
You do not seem to be familiar with assets and liabilities as pertains to cor
porate Interests. You speak oT bond discounts, etc., and promotion- and organization
expenses as if they are a liability. I would like to ask to whom tha company Is
liable for these.
You seem misinformed relative to the $60,000 of stock which the Skinner Pack
ing company owns in the Skinner Baking company, in fact, you may bo mistaken
as to the promotion cost. In fact you seem to want to pick flaws with anything
done by anybody except the parties you represent.
We certainly are with you, or rather your committee, In wanting this plant
continued as an Independent- plant. That is the thing we are trying to do. We
believe that the quicker this can be done, the better It will be for the stockholders.
While It may be true that packing houses do not make money at thlsftime of year.
It la necessary that you' have the help, the sales agency, etc.
If you and your committee hold this plant shut up long enough, there will be
no organization this fall when packing plants should be busy. In fact, It looks
as thmi?h nnv the nniv wnv tn nnpratn sur.cessf llllv this fall will be in connection
with the sales organization of the Messrs. Skinners. We cerfalnly think they have
built a wonderful plant and should have a chance to make it a success.
Yours truly, -.
... T. F. NEWTON.
Arah L. Hungerford Chairman of "The Committee of
21" Takes Exceptions to the Letter of Mr. Fraser to the
Members of His Committee.' J'
I . Crawford, Nebraska, July 3, 1320.
Mr. W. C. Fraser. Crofoot, Fraser, CortnMry A Stryker,
Omaha, Nebraska.
My Dear Sir: 1
Some of my brother committeemen of "The Committee of 21. have placed In my
hands a flve-page letter from you. In which you seek to Influence these committeemen
Into your way of thinking, regarding Paul F. Skinner and Lloyd M. Skinner and the
Skinner Packing Company. t
' I do not know, Mr. Fraser, as there Is any use in addressing you regarding this
matter of the mailing of these letters to these committeemen. , However, It IS' always
well for ono-to get anything out of their system If It Is bothering them. Your action
In this matter, 'Mr. Fraser, really bothered me. It doesn't appeal to me as being
ethical, honest or proper. This committee was elected, or chosen by a meeting of the
stockholders of the Skinner Packing Compans, spontaneously and without premedita
tion. I venture to say, Mr. Fraser, that fully one-half of this committee is made up
of men" who came to that meeting with the avowed purpose of "ousting" the Skinners
from the management. of the Skinner Packing Company.' They had been assailed
by and with propaganda of an untrue nature, and were In the frame of mind in
which you seem to be laboring. However, when they heard the facts In that meeting,
notwithstalMing the fact that I, as chairman of I that meeting, allowed ample and
unlimited time, and, I believe tbe "Committee of Nine" will agree, the utmost cour
tesy to each; and every one of them, these Wen changed their minds and became
mentis or the present management or the Skinner 'acking company, suojcci, nowever,
to being shown. We worked hard and long hours examining books and records and
listening to facts put before us by the representative accountants of the Arthur Young
Company, and, Mr. Fraser, we honestly and consistently went Into all matters per
taining 10 iys company anairs ana me past aria present acuuna ui um .onnuiec uujs.
After all this had been done the Committee was unanimous in their praise of the
unprecedented history-making achievement of Taul and Lloyd Skinner In the promoting
of a company of the magnitude of the Skinner Packing Company and the building
of the magnificent structures that they have built In such a short time as they did
take to accomplish this. This committee was all unanimous in Its praise of the
Skinner boys In their historv-maklng achievement of promoting a company of this
"magnitude a. the- small amount of per cent they succeeded in getting by with (we
quoted in our report around 12 per cent, but the committee all bellewe that It will
show up in the offclal tabulation when the examination Is compete, at less than 12
per cent). You must agree with us. Mr." Fraser. that If this be true, a new record
has been established in the state of Nebraska. You should agree with ns. Mr. Fraser
(I do not want to fnel that you aro unfair), that If this Is true, the Skinned boys
deserve the praise and glory of their unprecedented achievement and that you, one
of the important men of Nebraska's greatest city, should join in giving that praise.
However, Mr. Fraser,, I wish to take Issue with you on the question of right or
wrong, of your addressing this letter to the members of this committee. You evidently
did this with a view to, and the hope of, causing a break or stirring up some strife
within the committee. I do not think you did right.-J do. not think that your action
is honorable or ethical. However, Mr. Fraser, Iilo not believe that your effort will
bear fruit. Our committee, to a man, Waa thoroughly conversant with the facta per
taining to the affairs of the Skinner boys; pertaining to the Skinner Packing Com
pany and the Skinner Company. This Committee became thoroughly conversant with
all facts in connection with the entire transaction from beginning to end, and I
do not believe that you can or anyone else can change them.
Do you not believe. Mr. Fraser. that It would be far grander and more glorious
do you not believe that you wuld be heralded a much bigger man If you covld be big
enougn ana Droaa enougn to step aown irom tnat peuestai wnicn you seem to Deiievc
you are occupying and come out openly and notoriously to the world and declare that
you labored under misapprehension and that the facts were not and are not as put
up to you. For my part, I always feel that the man who was big enough to admit his
mistakes was big enough for my confidence and esteem, but that the man who was
small enougn to misconstrue ana misinterpret me racts ior tne purpose oi Bearing
himself out in a mistaken stand was a dangerous citizen and .one not worthy of the
trust andconfldenoe of his fellowmen,
I do not want to believe this ot you, Mr. Fraser, and I hope that when you have
proven the facts to yourself that you will be big enough to come out and reach out the
right hand of fellowship and say "I was mistaken I am big enough to admit it."
in your leuer iu my Droiner committeemen, wmie you au not seem to seeK to
discredit me or in any-way malign me ror tne stand i nave taken, with reference
to the Skinner boys, and for which- I thank you, you do seem to Infer that because
I had confidence in the Skinner boys from the very beginning of their troubles that 1
should not be taken seriously by my brother committe-enten. In connection with this.
Mr. Fraser, I want to say to you that I did have confidence In the Skinners. They
had rAy respect as menwho really do 'things. I thoroughly respect a booster, and
whenever L run across one I am just big enough and broad enough to want to salute
and take off my hat to them, i The Skinner boys are big men; they are live wires.
They pulsate with vigor and ambition. They seek to leave monuments to their memory
they really oo things. I plead guilty to having arose to the defense of the Skinner
boys In the so-called- Howe Meeting in the Auditorium on May 25. It may surprise
you, Mr. Fraser, when I tell you that at that moment, otlujr than my little interest In
the Packing Company itself, I had no further interest or acquaintance with the
Skinner boys themselves than to know of them generally and know -what they had
done for Omaha; their ambitions and their untiring efforts. I had not on that' day
ever met, personally, either JUT these men, to my knowledge. My few remarks there
were spontaneous. I have always been accused of rushing to the rescue 'of the
under dog. The Skinner boys In that meeting seemed to be the under dog as usual,
I responded. While you. In this letter, referred to my few remarks as "flowery,". I do
not take offense. I Jus did what I felt was right, and since learning more of the
Skinner boys: since thoroughly Investigating their records and becoming personally
acquainted with them. I thank God that I was in the meeting to, .in my meager way,
lend a helping hand in their behalf. And, Mr. Fraser, permit me to say I .would
probably do the same for you if I happened along when you were being nut down and
I felt that you needed a helping hand. That's about the only religion I have or try
to practice. -
In that.lcter to my brother committeemen you also crltlclxe thy being sailed
to the chair in the meeting at the Skinner Packing Company Plant on. June 2S. .
The only thing I care to-say in defense of this, Mr. Fraser, is that I wit leave
It up to your friends the gentlemen of the "Committee of Nine" whether or not I
acted fairly and squarely and presided over that meeting with the sole aim of fairness
In view. I believe that the gentlemen of the "Semmtttee of Nine" will tell you that
I recognized them at different times in preference to some others who were already
standing e$; the floor, waiting to talk. I wanted to be fair. I admit that I tried
(and you would have done the same had you have been In miy position) to nut the
resolution commending the Skinner boys Immediately, to vote without any abuse
against them on the floor. However, when I saw that discussion was wanted I Imme
diately stepped the effort of putting the resolution through, and opened the meeting
to debate. When they asked to read the report of the '"Committee of Nine," I, of
course,-could not allow this until the meetLng voted to recognize the "Committee of
Nine." Some of those present thought that I was forking a trick, but, Mr. Fraser,
I was not. I wanted that report read. I can prove beyond a shadow of . a doubt
that the night before the meeting I spoke to a few friends of the Skinner ho-rx who
had gathered together, ar.d in my remarks did tell them that the only way to put this
matter tnrougn ana put it tnrougn in sucn a way tnat tne Skinner boys would feel
clean, was to open the meeting for debate and let us thresh It out together. I told
them"that I was not afraid of the outcome If everyone were, given a chance for a
nearing. . jnowever, x itu uverruieu, ana it was asitea ot me mat lr i presided at
that meeting that I would try and put the resolution through without debate, in which
they thought that abuse would be heaped upon the Skinner boys. I kept my pledge.
and, to an extent, tried to put the resolution through. I went so far as anyone could
g and remain honorabla,)b.ut I want to saif, to you. Mr. Fraser, that for iny part I was
glad when the resolution, or the votetthereon, was tabled for debate. 1 knew what
tbe outcome of that meeting would be, and I knew that Paul and Llovd' Skinner
would bath go out of that meeting feeling far better than they would if the resolu
tion was ratiroaaaa. ,
1 m rtnt MvpBllnv tn vmt mrtv H.Htl 'r or im Via urttt. , t. -, T .it.1
or. Kverytntng is open ana a cove Doara. . ' - y
Omaha is a great city Nebraska Is a great state. ' Omaha ghould not be a one
man city. It takes ail of you big fellows to run a city like this. Omaha needs the
Fraser, the Crofoot, -the Connollys, the Btrykers, the Updlkes, the Millers, the Heads,.
the Diets, uin Nasties, tne tirandpis and ail tne other big men of the city, and, take
it from mof Brother Fralct, Omaha needs the Skinner boys, too. You want Omaha
to grow. You have all got property . there, I am presuming. The more -your city
grows, the higher your property values. The more Skinners and Skinner Packing Com
panies, the larger Omaha grows. You big men of Omaha all get together, and, in
stead of wranallng tike a lot of coyotes, as I have often-seen them out In the bleak
and bare prairie, wrangling over the carcass of a fallen steer, get together and push.
and you will all make a whole lot. more money, each individually to hisnseif, than
you are making putting In yqur time wrangling and all trying to pick tne bones of
tha one poor fallen steer. The band or coyotes out on tne prairie are uneducRted and
hfy have but littlecholc,tTbe one fallen steer is the, onl.meal 1htr bay la light,
You cannot blame them so much for fighting over that. But, Mr Fraser, In your great,
big, beautiful city of Omaha, there are vast opportunities. You all have the chance
You do not have to confine yourself to the one project. The very thing that makes a
city big and grand; the very thing that has caused omaha to grow to tne city tnat it
is today aqd that has caused the great state of Nebraska to be creditably known th.e
world over, Is the fact that it ho so many big. broad gauge westerners who carve out
and create their own creations Instead of devouring vtho ayeatione of-their fellowmon.
as is done and practiced In the overcrowded east and in many of the overcrowded
foreign countries.
When the report Is ready tqr publication and Is published setting forth the actual
standing and the actual facts pertaining to the finances of this great, nearly $10,
000.000 corporation, read It over thoroughly, Mr. Fraser. and then, on that day, if you
fln-d that report as I here pledge you you will, clean and unblemished by theft and not
even soiled with one single scrip of promotion stock as Is every other corporation in
the state of Nebraska, I believe, tptti take my advife and be big enough, Mr. Fraser,
to reach out the right hand of fellowship to these boys who accomplished this wonder
ful feat, and you will feel bigger and more satisfied with yourself than you ever felt
before In your life. "
with kindest personal regards, and hoping that you will take this letter, Mr. Fraser
m the same spirit in- which It Is dictated to you the spirit of goodfellowshlp I beg
to be MosV sincerely yours, . ARAH L.. HUNGERFORL.
July 7. 1920.
Mr. Fraser Answers M,r. Hungerford .r
Mr. A. L. Hungerford, ,
Crawford, Neo.
Dear Sir: ,
Your favor of July 3 received. I did not Intend to slight yon In the letters
Eoys" were at' the head; the Skinner boys would steer yie thlpSand they believed,
with ths Skinner boys at the wheel, the ship would land safely and with honor and
glory on the other side. Now, answer ma this question: Why, if 95 per tent of tha
people buying stock bought because the Skinner boys were to controf the ship, why
should W. C. Fraser. Mr. Howe and a few others have any license to step In and say
that the Sklnnvr boys were not" safe navigators and that some other pet of theln
should take ths wheel? '
I have talked to scores and scores of brother stockholders. Mr. Fraser, and I hava
yet to find one who purchased stock but that has told mo that hp purchased ths
stock and further, that he completely Bhut fa eyes to all the rest of It, because ha
wa told by the stock salesmen that Paul F. kinner and his brother, Lloyd M. kin
ter, would keep and have control of tho Company, and with their control he was
perfectly satisfied.
I have reason to believe, that you know that Paul F. Skinner and Lloyd M.
Skinner, have had offers whereby, if they would sacrifice the confidence of their
stockholders, and allow this to be thrown into the hands of a receiver, so that cer
tain big Interests could eventually ggl, hold of It, that they would bu taken care of to
such an extent that they would be indepe-ndently wealthy for the balance of their
Uvea and the lives of their families. The answer of Paul F. Skinner to one of these
offers, was as follows1: "I was born In the State of Nebraska. I was reared In the
State of Nebraska, I have always lived in tho State of Nebraska. If 1 was to do such
a thing as that, I could not live in my native state and meet my fellowmen, and.
by U , if couldn't live In the State of Nebraska, there is no other state In the
Union in which I would so badly want to live and, I shall have to decline your propo
sition." If you have not already been advised of this decision on the part of Mr.
Skinner I am glad to acquaint you with It. Paul F. Skinner and Lloyd M. Skinner
have stood by and aro stsnding absolutely loyal to those who trusted them and In
vested their money on the strength of that trust. And. Mr. Fraser, I am quite sure
that W will take more than- your efforts and the efforts of "Tho Committee of Nine"
coupled with the combined' efforts of all those interests who are today standing in
the background awaiting the efforts of those who are out in the open, to oust them
out. I do not believe that when all the facts are known, that our great State will
allow ita machinery to be used to further the desires and the interests of tne out-
that were mailed to the Committee of 31 and presume that you have received
the one addressed to you before this, as one was written to each member ot that
committee. ' v -
I shall - refrain from entering lrito any extended discussion because lirls ap-
nnrent that vmi and I do not as-rea concernlnr the Skinners. Mv sole 'Interest
In this controversy Is to represent stockholders who have Invested their, money in 'side octopus who is looking with longing eyes upon this magnificent plant of tha
tne wiynner enterprises. Tne iirst stocknoiaer, wno consuitea me, was a man HKtnner ractcinjg company tne piani or me people; me piani oum. mm
who has known me since I was less than a year old, and whose investment means 'and equipped with, by and, through the combination of the hard earned wealth of
a great deal to him. If I was convinced that the Skinners had been handling the THE PEOPLE. Away back twenty or twenty-five years ago, this might have been
affairs of their companies for- the best Interest of the stockholders, and that It 'culminated but, Mr. Fraser, we are living in a different age today and "The People"
was advised to permit them to remain In control of these companies. I certainly lare of more consequence and have a greater voice than they had In those old days,
would so state and advise my clients to. act accordingly, but there are so many Taking up your letter wherein you say and set forth five different points. No. 1,
facts about which there can be no dispute that I cannot reach that conclusion 2, 3, 4 and S, and in which you say that you would advise your clients to permit the
at this time. For example: control to rest In the hand of the Skinners If your mind was clear on these five
1. All of the accountants' reports conclusively show that It cost far nuafe than points. I wish to treat on them consecutively as numbered:
1214 per cent to market the stock. DJeounts on liberty bonds must be charged I 1. (In which you contend that the promotion expense exceeded -12 hi Notwlth.
to promotion because the order of the state railway commission was to sell the 'standing the fact that all other Companies in- tho state far exceeded this yet, for some
stock at par In the first instance and If the Skinners took for It something which ! great purpose, you pin your faith to the belief that you can get something' on this
only had a value of $90 or $91 necessarily the difference must be charged to promotion. Company, for some great reason, through showing or trying to Show that their ej-
2. It was represented to the state that tho officers would market the stock
without the services of any promoter end that P. D. Askew was being paid $1,000
per month, whereas In fact he had a contract with the Skinners, which they kept
off of the company records, whereby he was guaranteed a minimum of $5,000
a month and was ultimately paid approximately $150,000.
3. The method of handling the $60,000 belonging to the packing company, for pur
chase of the baking, company, where the stock was taken in the individual names
of Paul and Lloyd Skinner, looks very shady to say . the least.
4. ' The Skinners do not deny that the Issue of over $8,000,000 of stock In the
Skinner company to themselves, and to my mind It has been conclusively demon
strated that they were not entitled to it and realized it because they have now
put it back.
5. The statement published a few days ago, containing partial report of Arthur
Young & Co. apcountants, absolutely shows that the dividends, aggregating about
$100,000, paid out in the winter of 1918, were unwarranted, and were not paid from
earnings. The published advertisements of the Skinners at that time stated that these
dividends were being paid from earnings from the produce business, whereas the
books now show that the produce business had only earned $3,500.
Many other things could be related, but these tew occur to me offhand, and I
can-not conscientiously advise my clients to willingly permit men to retain control of
their Invested money, who have been caught with the goods and have disgorged but
now promise not to do it again.
I am certainly hoping and expecting ultimately to see this Packing business suc
ceed, and believe that It will under proper management. Omaha needs it and the
people of Omaha are for It. but on the other hand we do not want to be stigmatized
as the headquarters for promoters who fleece the people.
Yours very truly, ,
CROFOOT, FRASER, CONNOLLY STRYKER.
By W. C. FRASER.
Pa- ,i
the i
nner
Mr. Hungerford Answers Mr. Fraser's Letter, No. 2,
and Answers His Famous. "5 Points" Against Paul F.
and Hoy d Skinner
Crawford Neb., July 14, 1920,
Mr. W. C. Fraser, Crofoot, Frater, Connolly & Stryker, Omaha, Neb.
Dear Sir: sj '.
Your fawor-of July 7 Is before me.
While I am not a learned attorney but Instead only a common, -e very-day citizen,
yet, I am going to be presumptuous enough to take issue with you against your
views regarding the Skinner boys and fhe Skinner Packing Company.
I, not having the honor of your personal acquaintance, have np way to judge you
only from your writing. I have Inquired of one or two about what kind of a scout
you were, and beg to say that their reckonings of you were complimentary, covering
you as "one of the boys." but not In your legal profession. That Is to say that you
were a good fellow outside of your profession, but that you have the mistaken idea
that in your profession you must do anything and everything possible, even though at
the expense of something far more dear to many of us than life, a reputation, to
carry your point. '
Paul and Lloyd Skinner both have their reputations at staks in this matter.
You are juggling them and trifling with them as the juggler Juggles the balls. These
boys were born in the good state of Nebraska. They were reared In Nebraska, they
are proud of Nebraska, and, whether you believe It or not, Mr. Fraser, Nebraska Is
proud of them Omaha should be.
You say that your only Interest In- this controversy (there was no use In the
beginning of the controversy, and it was manufactured oat of whole cloth) is to
represent stockholders who have invested their money In the Bkinner enterprises, and
that the first stockholder who consulted you waa a man who had known you since you
were a child of lefca than one year old.
This bears me out in my assertion set forth above. Thy man probably knows
you as every-day "Bill Fraser" and not as Attorney Fraser. Jti probably thought to
come to you and tell you some little hearsay and that yon would advise him, but
he probably had no idea that you" would tangle up and cause the possible wrecking
of a big life undertaking, such as the Skinner Packing Company represents to the
Skinner boys, and make of it the muddle that has been made. It strikes me, Mr.
Fraser, that something far more deaf than Just that ons lone stockholder must have
been behind all of this. It Jtrikes me that a larger plum ntnst have been hung at
the goat to warrant you and other members of your great law firm in, being so
iinorofessional' and unethical as you have been at various stages of this controversy.
If you investigated the possfble and probable chance of that one poor stockholder who It
appealed to- you, and stood upon the merits of that honest Investigation, I doubt not i
but that you would have told hint to go on homeland rest easy and that his Invest
ment was all-right. " You must have told him that, if you investigated, for, if you! in
investigated, you found the following facts to-wlt: ' .
1 That the promotion of the Skinner Packing Company at the hands of Paul F.
and Lloyd M. Skinner was at less expense than any other company ever promoted In
the state of Nebraska; waa completed at less than 12 Vi per cent, while all other
companies In the state of Nebraska of a like nature were promoted at an expense of
some 20 per cent, to as high as 40 per cent.
2 The unprecedented business judgment ana gtnowieage ot purcnasing ana nana
ling of large interest was so fsmlllar to Paul and Lloyd Skinner that the lands of the
Skinner Packing Company were bought at so close a price that they were worth, on
or about the middle of April, "when you commenced your onslaught against these two
men and their company, fully 50 per cent more than they paid for them, thereby
representing a large profit to their company, the Skinner Packing Company; that they
purchased and contracted for material for their great, buildings at syfh opportune
times, many times using their own personal credit for the benefit of their company,
as a result of which their buildings today are worth to the company the Skinner
Packing Company fully 25 per cent more than they actually cost the company In
other words, that the actual value of the ground and buildings of the Skinner Packing
Company today Is! enough, greater than they cost to more than overcome by several
hundred thousand the hereinbefore stipulated "promotion expense - or tne company.
nenscn wcra mnrn tluin tha 12l1i-l
The expense of marketing the stock in' this Company will bo clearly shown by
the Arthur Young Company, Auditors, whore audit, as you yourself well know fa
taken the world over as official and that all big interests stand or fall In any Court,
on the audit of this Company, to be even less than the 12H allowed to the Skinner
Packing Company by the state for promotion. In fact, "The Committee of 21" believes
that it will run lesa than 12 and, the committee would not be surprised, after its
examination. If it ran down as low as 11. - ' '
The discount on the sale of the Liberty Ponds, which you are pinning your faith
to, to assist you In' your flalms, is certainly not chargeable to promotion. Two years
ago, Mr. Fraser, had you have discouragod-thof purchasing of Liberty Bonds and taken
the stand then as you are today taking, you would undoubtedly have been up before
a Board of investigation. These Liberty Bonds were bougnt witn a reeling ot pa.
trlotiam. It mmnl natriotle for us to hold thesa bonds and not nut them upon
market at all. They are a good hold and they were always a good hoI4,The Skinner
Packing Company meant to hold these Bonds. However, the great trouble Drougiv
upon this Company through a person whom I understand Is one of your personal 7
fflends, and further, a person whom I understand Is one of your clients, caused the
aWnner Packing Company, to save Itself from golngi upon the rocks, to market its
Liberty Bonds to raise proceeds for the payment ot current indebtedness entinrfy
foreign to its promotion and at a date long past the'date of promotion of this Com
pany. It waa required of the Skinner Packing Company, through the act of this
person to whom I hereinbefore referred, to raise nearly a 4nillion and a half dollars
and raise It quickly. To raise this money, this Company had to exert and put forth
every effort. Yet, had they been allowed to run normally as other companies it
would not have been necessary to sacrifice on these Liberty Bonds and on certificates
of deposit in Banks, for this person- as I have It, got them In a hole and .then tried
to throw In the dirt. For them to weaken and acknowledge defeat, meant the de
feat of and a less to everyone of their nearly 4.000 stockholders.
They did not do this, much to the chagrin- of their enemies, but they did that
which their stockholders would have had them do had they have all. been present.
They cut and Blashed and discounted. They performed the more than Herculean task
and at a time when the money market was such that not even their friends, much
less their enemies, believed it possible, they raised the mon-ey and paid off the notes.
Your action with reference to this, reminds me much of the man who was trying
to get rid of his dog. He tied a stone to the dog's neck and threw him In the rte r.
The dog went down at first but, a few feet lower In the stream, the dog came to
the surface and notwithstanding the heavy weight about his neck, he fougth bravely
and swam as no dog ever swam before"&ntiI he reached the hank. When he came
up on tho bank, expecting the approbation and the petting of his master, but was
met with a club at the hands of his master and beaten- to death. The Skinner Boys.
In this instance, went down with a stone around their necks the stone consisting -r-f
$1,500,000 that weighted them down. However, they bobbed up serenely; they imade
the shore, but now, unlike the dog, they object to being beaten to death and! they
object and most strenuously, to your using In the absence of the club, whicn you
dare not use, tho trick of trying to charg their discounts that were necessitated for
the saving of the life of the Company to their promotion expense, thereby pronouncing
upon them, but through another route, the fate of the dog. The discounting of this
paper for the purpose of meeting these obligations could no more be chargeable to
the promotion of this Company than- could the expense that they are being put to
today in defending themselves against the onslaughts of the octopus who is seeking
to devour them and their 4.000 stockholders.
So much for your complaint No. 1.
2. (In which you set forth an awfuT howl because of a certain amount more or
less, of the promotion money being paid to some one individual, notwithstanding the
fact that the payment of this amount was by a large per cent within the prescribe!
12 allowetl them by the State Railway Commission.)
This claim, to my mind, Mr. Fraser, is nonsensical in the extreme, and I do not
see where you have any right to spring it, except to try to make it appear to some
of the stockholders that there was something crooked' when, as a matter of fact,
you yourself know, I in sure, that there was not This P. D. Askew
started in with a view to taking an interest in the Company with the Skinner Boys.
At tne time tne permit was grantea tne stunner Koys by tbe state of Nebraska they
voluntarily asked to be held down tt 12tt (theyf-ould have had 17H or, even- at
that time, the law would nave given them 25 had they have wanted it). However,
the Skinner Boys told the Commission that they did ftot wanta limit of more than
12V4. for If they had a higher limit they would have to pay a higher rate to stock
salesmen', vahils if they were held down to 12' they could holdlthe salesmen down
to 12ft, and that they personally could sell enough stock direel through their own
office and at their own Instance, and on which they would not lave to pay a com
mission to salesmen, to take care of tb office ana other overhead expense. However.
when -some two and a half or three million dollars had been sold, Mr. Askew object
ed to the rata of Commission- being paid, and wanteduo ask a higher manrin. Thia
the Skinner Boys objected to and, there being a possible break In -sight, ,they treated
with Askew and settled with him on a basis of $112,000, covering his entire Interest
to that date and with the understanding that he would step out, leaving them to
continue at the 12 maximum, as previously arranged with the State. The trans
action with Askew was consummated, all of which was wholly within their right
unaer tne otais grant ana aosoiuteiy ana wnouy to tne interest or every stockholder.
The 8klnner Bos at all times, seeking and trying and striving to keep down' tha
promotion expense so they would .not have so much to overcome and -make back when
ft.ct KlollLa " ' . . avt j .v. viciouuii. iuc llltll CUUIU pOSSIDiy DS
brought agalnstfhem for their action in this matter, would be one charging them
with not being lenient enough or' paying high enough commissions to stock salesmen.
The most of the stock salesmen seemed satisfied, and I doubt that any Attorneys
could got a job from any of taem.
So much for complaint No. 2.
3. (In- which you complain of the method of handling the $60,000 stock in the
Skinner Baking Company of Council Bluffs, purchased by the Skinner Packing Com
pany. ) .
This, I believe, needs very little explanation. The Skinrer Packing Company. In
stead of keeping money laying idle and not drawing interest or dividends, they having '
an- over supply until really needed for operation expenses, bought some County Bonds,
Liberty Bonds, Blackstone Hoter Bonds, Nebraska School .Warrants, Sarpy- County
School Warrants, Arlington water bonds and $60,000 In the Skinner Baking Company.
This Stock in- t(ie Skinner Baking Company, lay for some time without being signed
over to the SkinDer Packing Company, through eror, such as has probably occurred A
in your office or in my office,vmany a time. However, when dividends came in oq0
the stock, the books clearly show that it rame- right in and was credited up to and
put In the Bank to the credit of THE SKINNER PACKING COMPANY. In seeking. "'
as you are to find some flaw on which to hase a charge against those men, you. of
course, are grasping at everything possible. But, Mr. Fraser, the facts, as given, stand
out undisputed, and I doubt if you can -possibly get anyone to believe our technical
charges. The Investment in Skinner Baking Company stork, the same as have be-en,
the Investments In all Skinner enterprises, is a good investment; is a dividend pay
ing investment, and in any normal times this $60,000 in stock owned by the Skinner
Packing Company, notwithstanding the dividends that have been regularly received,
as against mon-ey lying comparatively Idle in the Banks, will sell for a hundred cents
Lpn the dollar and a little premium on top of that. Not a bad Investment, Mr, Fraser.
so much ror your complaint .o. 3.
4. (In which you Charge the Skinners with issuing to themselves over elrht mil.
lion dollars of stockTIn the Skinner Company.)
This has been so threshed out and so many times explained that It seems super
fluous to again enter into but you have seen fit to again bring It up. This stock waa
Issued not in- tho Skinner Packing Company but in the Skinner Company to tho Skin
ner Boya. Of course It was issued and, you know yourself that every stockholder lit
the Company should offer up thanks that that stock was Ibsu-mK It warf the Intention
of the stockholders who purchased stock In this Skinner Packing Company that the
Skinner Boys should have, keep and control the control of the Skinner Packing Com.
pany. That was the basis on which more than if the purchasers of stock pur-.
chased their stock. Had the Skinner Boys weakened and not kept control, they would
not have been fulfilling tho promises and the understanding, unwritten though they
Mr,
Can you not see, Mr. Fraser, that the public looks with ridicule upon these non
sensical claims that are being brought by you and your assistants: against the Skinner
boys add their company the Skinner Packing Company.
"The Committee of 21" After A thorough investigation of all facts, defy you or
anyone else, Mr. Fraser, to show to them another company In the state of Nebraska
with a better record.
Many things happen along the way during the combining of a great raft of
capital such as has been combined by Paul and Lloyd Skinner for the Skinner Packing
Company; many things happen along the way during the erection aud completion and
onfnnlng of such mammoth buildings as have "been erected, completed and equipped
by these men for their company the Skinner Packing Company, but, Mr. B'rasar, the
Intent tho ultimate and final intent is. the tning mat we iook to. i nings nappen
'along the way." Grafters eke In and work in. If the Skinner boys were small enough
and weak enough to, take a back seat and let these grafters rule and control, then.
Mr. Fraser, they would not be worthy of the confidence that has been Imposed In them
by nearly 5,00 stockholders. However, luckily for the stockholders. they, are not of
that caliber. When they found themselves surrounded by enemies; when they had' to
back against the wall, so to speak, and light for their Hvaa and their reputations; when
the future depended solely upon their control, tney were msr enougn eo nanaie tne
situation and keep rheir management and control thereby keeping the plant an Inde
pendent plant, safe In the handsaf the stockholders who had trusted to them their
capital ithat made it possible to construct such plants. Of course, these enemies,
defeated as they were, grasped as do drowning men grasp to a straw for some club
with which to undermine and discredit these men in the eyes of their stockholders.
The only club In sight was this 163,000 shares which the Skinner boys took for tlng
purposes and by and through the taking or wnirn the Skinner 1'acmng company and
all ita stockholders may credit up the plant today being still an independent plant.
1. ".;rtLr "". "" " .TiVL, I 7..; .H ;. were, with their stockholders. They did keep eontrol and. thanks to that control
J , , . . " .J." .i.mj i t. .1.1.1.. ..j ..... h. ...i.i..!Fraser, the Skinner Packing Company is still loday an independent plant looked
II yOU Will IOOK l it inim U"i, mt wuum iu.oi.c... ...u .,!,. . Ilk .-..rfll. hv Ih. wrt nrl.n,,.i .kn kl.. 1. . K. k....u
and open for conviction, as I do not believe you are. then you must admit that they ' ' . " murh belone to them
were rght. -i , , . , , ... , , - . - ... .. 'should be put back. I believe you and everyone, else knows this to be true but. it
Another point: If you are Interested In the future of Omaha, and you see, as you ... ,. . , . ... k. k. n... .k.
must see. that this comp.riy is all right, then you must lay off and quit harassing i"'"" hv .houV, vou worrv V ' "
them. for. if this, the biggest organization of capital of Its kind ever launchcd.in the
state, cannot Invest tholr collection of money In the city of Omaha without being
harassed to death, as they are being harassed, do you think for a moment that the
wealth of Nebraska and adjoining states can ever pfsaibly b gotten together again
So much for your complaint No. 4 . 1
5. (In which you complain of the $100,000 disbursed by the Skinner Packing Coro
pany to Its stockholders In the winter of 1918 as dividends.) C
I do not believe that a single stockholder objected to the receiving of their checks
ior an investment in a ciiy wnose cu sens w. muncn iti ..u u .i,t..,B t,., The )nrrPagp in valuation, at that time, of property which the Skinner Boya haa
iii iu mo.. uV ... w,...-... """"bought for 'their Company at saCririce prices, was so great as to allow, the dlstribu.
that you or any other man could go forth out "W the state and get Investors of tl f ,10o,000 dividends to stockholders and still keep the inventoried assess of the
from $1,000 to $50,900 to Invest in any enterprise to be launched in umana at any time ;Com'pany above pftr. Naturally, the Company wanted -to let their stockholders know sot
within the next ten years if you please or until this thing is forgotten If you were ar,y ag p0M)le that they wcre all right aml (hat tneir m0 wal) Browig into
successful in wrenching these gat plants from thejr proeent Independent hands and money. Thi3 Company was organized ror the purposo of erecting a Packing Plant and
placing them, as everyone believe the program reads. Into the hands of the old-Mme .al, olner aubsldary plants and buildings dro'red; for the purpose of buying, holding
corporations? If you arc a loyal citizen to Omaha and you want to see Omaha grow land wg reaI estate, etc., etc. If this Comnany made money on the purchase of
you will protect and invite suh mammoth enterprises as the 8klnner Packing Com- !real etat the stockholders had a right to profit thereby the same as thouch the
pany-Instead of taking the stand that you and others are today taking, against the money haa DCPn made In the killing of stock and the canning and distrmtion of
SklnneKjcking Company. , meat. However, your objection to thts. like all your other objections, seems only to
The majority of the stockholders of the Skinner Packing Company and a big lhe technical and wlth that same dlre, of finding some flaw on which you ran pin
majority of the stock are perfectly content and satisfied with the present management a caae airanst this Company for the purpose of harassing It and whipping it down to
why should you worry? Why should you appoint yourself as a great guardian ,ubmission. You may look at this differently than do I, but, even looking at It from
angel? What, I ask you in all due candor, Mr. Fraser, Is the great plum that has !your standpoint, there Is nothing very criminal about It. You are charging the Skin-
been hung up at tne ena or ine race to warrant you in taaing me stana you are MT BoyI witn belnB thieves and I don't know what all else. In this paragraph, thank
toKing r .. ...
Mora things are comlhg to light every, day, Mr. Fraser. For Instance, the letter
from Byers Brothers and Company to Mr. Christian Scow of Wahoo, Xebaaka, under
date of April 21, 1920 away back In April in whlch Hr appears you have them
whipped Into line to aaslat you In this damnable and nefarious enterprise of trying
to bust up and rent asunder, one of ths most, commendable corporations ever launched
In Nebraska's greatest city, Omaha. These are things, Mr. Fraser, that stamps
this so-called "sincerity", of yours with a bad odor.
Every stock raiser In the stats, I believe. Is very anxious for an Independent con
cern at . OmaRo. Omaha Is -"our" city. We are all proud of Omaha, We have
Invitations to ship to Denver. We have Invitations to ship to Sioux City. Ws have
Invitations to ship to Kansas City and Chicago, Aut the UNPURCHASED slogan of
all of us westerners Is "Ship our stock to 'our' Omaha." '
Permit me to call your attention further. It Is perfectly safe to say 'that fully
t! per cent of the men and women who purchased stock in the Skinner Packing
Company purchased that stock, not because the plant was going to be erected in tha
city of Omaha, the home of W. C. Fraser: not because In the city of Omaha, the
home of this man or that then why? I will tell you why. Because Paul F. Skinner
and Lloyd M. Skinner were behind that company, and were to manage and control It
No other questions scarcely were asked. The fact that those men were so well known
out over the atat and that the people had such confidence In them was fact enough
and thoy did, gladly and willingly, and It must be and stand undenled, more quickly
than eyer before in the state of Nebraska, buy In and gobble up the offerings that
war oftertd. them & this stock, that waa backed only by the fact that the 'fklnnai
you, Mr. Fraser, you are liberal enough to charge them with paying out money to
their stockholders that they shouldn't have paid. It is pretty good, though, Mr. Fraser,
when In the same breath with a charge of graft, disloyalty, dishonorable conduct.
thievery, If you please, you then turn around and charlte them with being too liberal.
If you do and to
arlte them with beln
in "It's to It If y
It seems a case. Brother Fraser, of the old tlmo sayi
H if you don't."
So much for yout complaint No. 5.
Every one of 'your charges, and complaints, Mr. Fraser, Is Just as nonsensical as
these five.- - i
Please do not think for a moment. Mr. Fraser, that I am presuming to dictate
to you or-dlrect you. I am not.' It Is just a case of wanting, to hear from you direct
as to these awful charges that you were Insinuating, and other members of your firm
were Insinuating sgainst Paul and Lloyd- Skinner. I would not have addressed yon
at-all, Mr. Fraser, had you not have presumed to trv to "work over" the members of
"The Committee of 21." You outstpped yourself when you did that. "You wero just
as unfair In that as was your firm In getting this great South Omaha Byers Profilers
firm to write letters away bark In April, soliciting business for your firm and trying
to stir UP trotble for an Independent Packing Plant, which might be undesirable
competition to- them. It 411 fits In very nicely but It doesn't appeal to me as beiijC j
exactly honorable' and I do not believe that it will so aaeal to the other stockholders
of the Skinner Packing Company, nor, do I believe that It will appeal to tha big.
broad gauge biVilness men of Omaha as being at all fair or at all conductive to a
future, bigger and belter Omaha, - Moat Unierely yours. - - - ,
4,
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