The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-04-25
IMPORTED EGGS.
Tho Competition Of European with Ameri-
can Hens-some Efspts Of the Proteo-
tive Tariff n High Railroad Freights

Tho Competition Of q European with Ameri-
can H~ens-Some Efarts OF the Protec-
tive Tariff and High Railroad Freights
From the New York Evening Post
The Evening Post editorially referred
the other day to the indignant protests
OF the Central Ohio Butter and Egg
Packers Association, to the effect that
the home trade was seriously injured by
tho Importation of foreign eggs to New
York, and that something ought to be
done about it. To-day areporter made
inquiries to ascertain the character and
extent OF this foreign supply. The
principal handler of imported eggs in
this market is Mr.. John G. Mahr, of
No. 299 Washington street. When
questioned on the subject, he said in
substance:
This important business began about
four years ago, in small lots, and has
been growing ever since. The eggs are
Galpped chiefly from Copenhagen and
Hamburg. which are great egg c%enters.
That is to say, eggs collected fromnear-
~ all parts OF Europe are sent there,
and thence are distributed to the Lon
don and other markets. The egg are
produced largely in Italy, Austria,
Denmark and Turkey. They are
packed in straw, in cases containing
fifty, sixty or 100 dozen. Some Of them
have been cured for winter keeping, Like
our domestic eggs, by being kept in
lime water, which fills up the pores or
the shells and renders it possible to keep
the eggs in good condition for months
after their removal from the water.
Most of the imported eggs are fresh
laid, however, and after a voyage of
two or three weeks, will keep for a
month or six weeks longer. Some of
the lots are graded according to size, as
Is the custom in certain parts of Europe
the imported egg On the average being
a little smaller than the domestic. They
are sold here at from one cent to three
cents per dozen less than the market
price OF domestic eggs, according to
size and domestic quality. 1t is nee
essary to examine them here, of course,
but the work of Inspection is much less
than might be supposed. AS q rule, it
is no necessary to hold eggs opposite
the flame of candle in order to see the
condition of its contents, which an ex-
pert can detect by ordinary handling
and inspection as quickly as a money
changer can Judge by the weight and
feeling of a coin whether it is true or
false. OF the foreign eggs received in
this market, a great number are con
sumed in this city and neighborhood,
while others are sent to points in New
England.
In the last year, say from March 1,
1888, to March l, 1884, I have handled
about 5000, cases of imported eggs, on
the average of fifty or sixty dozen to the
case. | suppose that in all, some IT,
900 or II 900 cases were received here
during that period. The late shipments
have been especially heavy, because the
winter has been mild in England, and
London has consequently been a poor
market for imported eggs. Many which
would otherwise have gone to London
have therefore naturally been sent to
New York, where the price of fresh laid
domestic eggs reached nearly so cents
per dozen during january. The price
would have gone higher but for these
imr %ortations, which have had the effect
of making eggs cheaper throughout the
country. What effects the egg market
in New York effects it in all parts of the
United States.
"How is it possible to import eggs
and sell them at a less price than they
can be produced for here? Why, be-
cause the protective tariff makes the
cost of everything higher here than any
where else, and because of the outrage
Il freight charges which result from
railroad pools and combinations. Re-
Gently l 800 dozen eggs were sent by ex-
press from Missouri to this city, and
the bill for their transportation, which
l can show you, vas $l20, or exactly
eight cents a dozen. Ordinary freight
rates for eggs from most of the Western
States to New York are higher than the
freights from Europe. There is no du'
ty upon foreign eggs. If there was
there would be no money in their i'm
portation."
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