The Portland daily press., 1888-11-29
Tine PeopIe,s Meat sunnlx.

A committee of the United States Senate
began an investigation in st. Louis last week
that ought, if properly conducted, to be of
unusual Importance and interest in all parts
Of the country. Fol the last six years the
cattlemen of the West have seen the prices
which they were able to get for their product
decline steadily. OF course this would be a
natural phenomenon If the supply of cattle
was continually increasing and the prices of
the beef in the Eastern markets were as low
or lower than formerly. But the cattlemen
charge that neither Of these conditions are
existing. The supply of cattle sent from the
ranges of the West to the great cattle market
OF Chicago,-and Chicago monopolizes the
Western cattle market from the Gulf of Mex
leo to the British possessions-is smaller
than formerly they say, and the price of
dressed beef in the Eastern markets is higher
than ever. The cattlemen would be stupid
indeed If they did not enquire why the prices
which they get for their cattle are smaller
than ever before. 1t cannot be because the
slaughtering and marketing is more expen-
sive than formerly, for in the great estab-
lishments of Chicago the industry has been
reduced to SO scientific basis that the waste
is absolutely nothing The hides are taken
OF by trained experts who do their work SO
we'll that the hides sell for cent pound
more than those taken off by ordinary butch
ers; the horns go to the comb and knife
handle makers; the shin bones to the knife
handle and tooth brush manufacturers; the
knuckle bones are valuable for acid phos-
phate; from the feet and hoofs comes meats
foot oil and a commercial. fertilizer; from
waste fat oleomargarine is made; and in
short there is absolutely no part of the ami
NAL that is not proftably utilized in these
great butcher shops. So effective is the
economy that smaller concerns cannot COM
pete successfully. Taken at once with in
creased railroad facilities and lower prices
for cattle from the ranges, this economy has
enabled the dressed beef shippers of Chicago
to extend their operations into nearly every
State and community. This has resulted in
great economic change in the conditions of
supply and demand in the beef business of
the country; and 1t is not surprising that
there has been clashing of conflicting inter-
ests. The fact that Chicago practically
monopolizes the business and that in Chicago
four firms, known as the "Big Four" Ar
mour d Co., Swift & Co., Hammond & Co.,
and N. Morris do a large share, If not about
all, of the business has increased the distrust
and suspicion of cattle rasers and dealers
who have suspected that they, with the con-
sumers of the East, are made the victims of
great monopoly. The agitation reached
Congress and last May President ingalls, of
the Senate appointed special committee to
examine fully the questions relating to meat
production in the United States. and espec-
tally to see whether combinations have been
formed, by butchers or by transportation
companies or by dealers to so control the
trade as to diminish the price paid to the
producer without lessening the cost of meat
to the consumer The committee examined
a few witnesses only at st. Louis last week,
and then adjourned until December 9TH
Two of the witnesses, representing the pro-
ucers of the East and the West, gave testi-
mony reported as follows in st. Louis
paper;
VIM. Peters, resident of Allegheny City, doing
business for the last thrty-slx years 70 Plttsburg