Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-24
4 RKEE RRFRLGRRATCR.

The beef business Of Texas is acknowl-
edged to be one Of TIA most IMPORTANT
branches of Texas industries. It g o
business in which millions upon millions
OF dollars are involved. The Texas beef
product exceeds in amount and value
that Of any other three states Of this
Usion. While there has been depres-
sion In the price Of beef in Texas for the
past three years, there has been no de-
preston but slight advance in the
price Of dressed beef in the Nav York
and New England markets.
T. to the Texas beef producer, is
M Nv 8 strange coincidence, but is s
sure marker that there is wrong some
where, There is no resson why beef
cattle in Texas should be so ex-
cessiveIy low, and dressed beef 10
the eastern markets go high-and more
especially when the fact is so apparent
that very lsrge proportion Of the New
York and New Epglsnd beef supply comes
from Texas. This state of things cannot
be charged 20 high prices Of Transports
ton alone There are other reasons, and
such as will strike the beef producers OF
Texas with more than ordinary force.
This reason lies In the fact that the beef
business, IS now organized In this couu-
try, is under the control of the Chicago
opsrstors' monopoly, and they efectuslly
control both the producers aud corsum
ersi markets. In other words, the beef
Consumers OF the east and the beef pro-
ducsrs Of the west are paying eXorbi:ent
tribute to the Chicago operstors'
monopoly. As matters now stand, Chi
csg go dictates the price Of live meats
to the western producer, and the price Of
dressed meats to the eastern consumer.
As It requires nine days Of blind expert
ence before pup Us eyes Will open, 60
II has seemed 20 require nine years OF
Borrowful and costly experience before
the cAttlemen's eyes opened TO behold
the monster which sto d and still stands
between them and absolute success. The
sunlight and glare of stubborn facts are
now breaking in upon them and they are
beginning to ste and understand their con-
dition, realize the extent OF their wrongs,
aud where and how they have been
robbed. They are beginning to recog-
MIA the fact that the only available rem
edy lies in building up Texas market
for Texas beef-that this can only be
done through the agency Of well-ordered
refrigerating works. This they are now
ready to admit. Tney are also ready TO
give whatever Of substantial encourage
msnt they csn in this direction. Il only
remains 10 designate the best place for
the establishment OF such works. Is IL at
Houston, or Galveston, or San Autoniof
all censers Of more than ordinary
Importance for the breeding rsrges, but
not heavy producers OF beef cattle. The
fattening ranges are in Northwest Texas.
There Is where the beef is made. II
would seem to be meter OF business
prudence, as well as an economic meas
ure, that reirigerating works. II estab-
lshed at all, should be near the beef pas
lures rather han near or 10 the midst of
the Arsedsag pastures. It is equal
iy apparent that they should be
located at point where there
is a concentration OF competitive
railway lines. in order to Insure the low
est possible rates for the transportation
Of the refrigerator product. We ask,