The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-13

MEN, WHOLESALERS AND RE
TAILERs.
Brief reference was made in our columns
yesterday, under the head of market reports.
to considerable decline in the prices of Chics-
go dressed beef in the wholesale market here,
with indications that still lower figures would
probably soon be reached both in the whole
sale and retail trade.
A. wholesale the quotations were sides, 6 to
cents per pound, hind quarters IL to IL
cents, rounds at to 1-2 cents, rumps and
loins 10 to 10 cents, rumps 10 to 10 cents, loins
10 to 16 cents.
Several retailers have notified their custo-
mers OF drop in prices ON steak of 5 cents per
pound. AS asrule % cents per pound for ramp
steak is asked; in several cases 1t has been
offered at 20 cents There is fair prospect of
an appreciable and welcome reduction in the
price of beef of which the householders will
get the benefit.
Yesterday representative of this PAPER
called upon the three concerns which have
been engaged for longer or shorter period
in the business of handling Chicago beef,
namely: Messrs. Wheeler, Swift & Co., the
pioneers in the business; Joseph G. Weymouth
Il Co., and John L. Best & Co., and, also,
upon Thomas Dyer s. Co., who have but re-
Gently embarked in the business.
From what could be gathered there appears
to be little question that the starting Of the
fourth concern, Messrs. Thomas Dyer & Co.,
has developed spirit of competition or oppo-
sition.
This competition, however, is wholly confined
for the present to what is technically known as
flight, or inferior quality OF beef, higher
grades OF beef being scarce and so far unaf-
fected BY the cutting of rates. In the opinion
of Mr.. Winslow the depression Of prices will
be but temporary, due sso it is TO the added
competition of new concern starting in the
business at time when the market is mus.
uslly heavy. There has never heretofore been
any serious competition arising among parties
handling Chicago beef here, and it is thought
now to be due largely to the Efforts Of a new
concern to obtain a footing among the older
ones.
Mr.. Thomas Dyer was, for year, partner
OF John L. Best 1t is stated that Mr.. Dyer
was the first to offer beef at reduced prices,
and, as one of the other dealers remarks,
eve had to follow suit to retain our custom
ers." So far, however, Wheeler, Swift &
Co. state their sales have not been affected,
no decline being noted beyond what is always
expected and always occurs at about this time
of year. The Chicago shippers, Armour &
Co., Swift Bros, aud Hammond, have ALWAYS
maintained but one attitude in regard to cut
ting rates, which has been to disceuntenance
such course. There is also unanimity of
opinion among the houses of Wheeler, Swift
u Co., John L. Best & Co., and Joseph g.
Weymouth & Co., respecting the necessity to
preserye the established prices, OF course i'd
hitting also the need to drop on prices of infe-
rior beef, in order to retain customers 1t is
believed by these gentlemen that the car load
of beef recently received by the newsconcern
and disp osed Of under the regular prices, was
sacrificed.
Mr.. Dyer, being approached upon the sub
ject, says that the low prices for which beef Is
offered are due less to competition than to de-
| pressed market. He further says that he pro-
| ceeded to cut rates only after this course was
adopted by the other concerns. Later reports
| from the West indicate stronger market.
Second quality of beef is sold here under the
general market. Messrs. Dyer s. Co. are max
ing extensive preparations for engaging in the
business. They have the entire lower part of
the building formerly occupied by the Canton
Steam Mill Co., on Boston & Maine wharf,
| 346 Commercial street, and will have commo-
dious and conveniently located quarters for
| their business Their new refrigerator room
| is thirty feet square in dimensions, and will
! have capacity for car load OF beef. This
room will be arranged within week for the
| reception of beef.
| A report, which our reporter failed to sub
stantiate, credits the firm of John L. Best &
| Go. with being interested in the new venture
of Messrs. Dyer & Co. This report, we learn,
has obtained very general credence. The dis
turbancs of prices is believed to be in part the
result of efforts on the part of Armour 8 Co.
to secure larger share of Portland trade.
| One member of the firm of Joseph G. Wey-
mouth & Co., whose shipper is also Armour &
Co., on being interviewed declared his inten-
ton to sell only at profit, and does not pro-
pose to make any sacrifice.
| Mr.. John L. Best stated that he has recently
received advices from leading shippers to the
4
must rule higher. Ali information he has
otherwise been enabled to obtain was of the
same purport. The market is strengthening
on account of scarcity of cattle, particularly
of best grades Mr.. Best would endeavor to
maintain prices, both as the best policy and as
also in the end most likely to give satisfaction
to the consumer. He deprecated cutting oil
prices as tending merely to demoralizs and
render feverish the market, without POSSIBLE
ity, SO far as his observation went, OF
benefit to any parties. Reasonable
prices, we'll maintained, impart healthy tone
| to the market. He was aware that some beef
| is being sold here at prices which preclude any
profit Prices during last week were firmer
| for all grades in general market This, he ex-
planned, was but the natural course, when
| feeding id pasture ended and that from barns
began.
| An opportunity was given to look over the
large and well appointed establishment of Mr..
| Best. A newly arrived refrigerator car being
| opened disclosed appetizing looking rows OF
| wholesome beef pendent from its roof. Mr..
Best receives four carloads weekly Of beef,
and one carload OF oleomargarine. Eight
| were Insignificant; now carload per week
hardly sutices to supply his trade in this State.
A firkin, opened at random among the large
| number TERED up in one apartment of the
| spacious storehouse, presented prepossessing
appearance, in color and flavor, so nearly
identical with butter as. to be calculated to
puzzle even an expert to distinguish the differ
ence.
To question whether there was any founda-
ton for the report, before referred to, of his
connection with the new concern of Dyer s.
Co., Mr.. Best replied that he should decline to
be interviewed upon the subject.
The opinion that prices of beef would 90 even
lower in this market appeared to be generally
held by retail dealers whom the reporter vas
able to see. The retail trade is dull-excep-
tionally dull-and it is doubtful II this class
will ha henefited by apy reduction in whole