Wichita eagle., 1889-01-25

country to another, from the producer
to the consumer, and with modern i'm
lprovements in transportation facilities it
is better In every way to ship dressed
beef; and for this reason alone the
business is bound to increase rapidly.
Local butchers demand restrictive laws
against dressed beef simply in their own
interests, and it is with a vast deal of
assurance that they are calling on the
stock raisers and farmers to help them.
In regard to inspection, the public
health demands a thorough inspec-
ton of all meats, but that the
system should not in any way restrict
the natural trade between one part of the
country and another; particularly if the
restriction is simply in the interests of
the one class and not for the benefit of
the people. Would not any one who has
ever investigated the subject readily adj
NIT that the inspection is more thorough
at the large yards at the different points
where dressed beef houses are located
than it could or ever would be if attempt
| ed in every little town or city? Is it not
and financial responsibility of the firms
engaged in the dressed beef business
would preclude any OF them from ship
ping single carcass which was in any
manner unfit for consumption? Is it not
also fact that the dressed beef interests
are each year working more and more
into Missouri, Kansas and Colorado: in
other words, establishing their great
packing houses nearer and nearer the
cattle region? How many millions have
already been invested in these plants at
Kansas City, Mo-, Kansas City, Kan,
Omaha, Sioux City and Wichitap At
each of these places large sums have
been expended upon these plants, which
furnish employment to thousands of
men, women and even children. What
would be the effect of the proposed
legislation? 1t would not prevent
the location of any more industries Of
the kind in any of our growing cities, as
well as destroy the business of those al
ready located within our borders? Be-
sides, there is no ground for demanding
legislation to discriminate against pack
ing houses on the ground that they con-
stitute MONOPOLY or trust. The very
reverse is the case, for any man capa-
bic of handling a saw, is given the OPP
portunity of selling fresh meats. The
livliest competition exists between the
various cities which are cultivating the
dressed meat industry, and between the
various corporations and firms engaged
in the business. The, packing houses
are working wonders in the way Of
cheapening beef to the consumers, since
the vastness of the ir business enables
them to utilize every scrap of bone, hoof,
hide and tail, as well as the carcass of
the beef.
The individual butcher on the other
hand looks for his profit mainly from
the meat. While cheapening the beef to
the consumer, the packing houses are
increasing consumption and the demand
for cattle. 1t is to the interest of west
ern cattle raisers and farmers that there
should be an active market for their
stock. But the legislature is recon-
mended to take the same action ID pre-
vent the increased market and ready
sale of western live stock which Penn
sylvania is taking. 1t only remains for
all the states to adopt similar laws, and
the western farmers will find that the
market for their live products will be
circumscribed by the boundaries of their
own state. Then they will regret that
they were so anxious to protect the
local butchers
The dressed beef industries have intro |
duced beef among the masses of the
south who formerly tasted no meat ex-
cept that OF the hog. The testimony of
eastern and southern cities is that the
quality Of the beei has been improved (
by the processes Of the packing houses, /
while it has been cheapened in price.
The great bulk, and by far the largest |
portion of beef dressed in the west goes |
to the eastern markets Now should the |
western states, or any Of them, pass
law of the nature proposed, would it not /
follow that the eastern states would be- /
come alarmed and think that there was
something really the matter with the /
dressed beef, and in consequence pass !
local inspection laws, thereby at once
killing the industry in the west? If such /
a thing were to occur, where would /
western cattle find market? Would it /
not necessarily be in the east: If so, /
who would pay the increased cost of |
transportation of live cattle? Would it |
be the consumer or the cattle raisers? If |
the consumer, would it not lessen the !
consumption of beef? Or if paid by the /
western farmer, necessarily lessen the |
price he might receive under the present |
system? SOUTHWEST KANSAS.
The custom officials at Detroit a few /
days ago threw a wet blanket, so TO |
speak, on the friendly sentiment towards /
the states that was manifested in the |
result of the recent election in Windsor, !
Ontario nv ppforpir1o the neeC orders of |