San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-12-09
The Daily Eight.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1889.

Nlo1NbA 1oOV'
THE CATTLE MEMS INTERESTS.
Texas cattlemen are not rejoicing
over the situation. The "Big Four"
seem to have tight grip alike upon
the beef consumers and the beef
growers of the country. Various
remedies, and at various times and
points, have been proposed to meet
the difficulty, but so far no effectual
remedy has been found. The LIGHT
has on more than one occasion point
ed out the necessity of cooperation on
the part of cattlemen in Texas to
effect the object sought; more profita-
BILE market to the cattle grower. There
is no remedy for the evil existing
save as the parties interested make
one for themselves, and the practical
solution of the difficulty lies in the
cattle growers putting their own fat
cattle, in the shape of dressed beef,
upon the markets Of the world.
There are two ends to this bust
ness, the consuming end and
the producing end, and it is the pro-
Queer who must make the initiative
move.
There lies before the LIGHT at this
writing a confidential letter from
central Texas cattle firm, making di-
rect inquiry into certain proposed CO.
operative movements having for their
object the erection of a dressed beef
refrigerating plant near the gulfcoast.
To this communication the LIGHT has
already replied and in that reply
pointed out the conditions necessary
to success and the difficulties which
lie in the way. These conditions are
AN assured supply OF fat cattle for a
specified term of years; an assured
market guaranteeing the reception Of
q certain quantity OF dressed meat for
q given term; and, an experienced
packing house to assume direction
and conduct business. The letter
before US is directly with reference
to the intervention of very large
German meat house in the trade.
Concerning this matter it is not in
place here to speak. 1t may however
be accepted as fact that no legislation,
state or national, is likely to effect a
remedy. The cattlemen who suffer
must devise remedy, and the con-
sumner who suffers equally in kind, but
not in degree, will second the efforts
of the beefmen to feed the world with
cheaper beef, and at the same time
increase their own profits:
The difficulty of organization will
be met at the outset, and the fears of
cattlemen, increased by past failures,
will be no small obstacle in the way
of success. This obstacle can be over
come by intelligent plans and prac-
ticable methods plainly submitted.
After this, the question of supply
must be met, and it is a most
important one, as the first supplies
should be Of prime cattle in fat
condition so as to give the product
character and standing. This supply
of fat cattle will be more readily Sc
cured after a few months, when cat
tlemen come into the way of meeting
this demand; but at the first, when
most necessary that only the best
meat be sent forward, the utmost care
will be necessary to secure such sup
plies before operations are actually
commenced.
The question of market naturally
follows, and such guarantees must be
given as will insure the market and
prevent any possibility of its being
closed during the term of years In
cluded in the contract.
These two questions settled-supply
and market-the securing of some re-
sponsible packer, we'll known in the
worlds markets, to connect himself
with the concern and direct it's
operations, will not be a difficult
matter, as the capital, in cattle,
as also in cash, behind the movement
will insure against any successful in
reference by any beef combine, the
question of market being already as
sured.
The attention of Texas cattlemen is