Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-26
A BIG SURPRISE.
Two Dressed Beef AbattOirs to
be Built in Allegheny
IFA BUTCHERS BILL WINS.
Swift, the Great Chicago Slaughterer
and Shipper, Scheming
TORAISE THE PRICE OF LOCAL BEEF
By Doing His Killing Here, but Bringing
His Stock From the West.
IFA BUTCHERS BILL WINS.
TORAISE THE PRICE OF LOCAL BEEF
WHAT THE BUTCHERS HAVE TO SAY

Knives are sometimes SO thoroughly
sharpened that they are made to cut both
ways. This ma. turn out to be the case
with the big local butcher knife. The
butchers, beyond doubt, intended it to cut
out Western dressed beef, either in diseased
or wholesome form. Their knife was,
therefore, put in the form of q
legislative bill, whose provisions were,
practically, to make a market for the
best live stock grown in Western Pennsyl-
vania, at more profitable rates than the
present, and at the same time give the
butchers more margin than they can get
from the Chicago monopolists.
Nobody seems to have thought Of another
imminent contingency, however, until re-
porter yesterday drew out the heretofore care
fully concealed fact that the dressed beef
people themselves expect, if they do not
want, this restrictive bill to pass. Why?
Well, as one of them has been secretly
making arrangements to build an abattoir in
Manchester, ship his Western cattle here,
do the killing by wholesale and shut out
local butchers, at the same time controlling
the local market and raising prices cents
q pound, the reason seems to be apparent.
Of course it is possible, as will be readily
urged, that all this is a bluff. But a local
dealer in the same firms beef promises to
do likewise, and he is resident gentleman
too well known to be taken for such
buffer. He says he believes the bill will
pass, and he is only preparing for the iney-
liable, by arranging to slaughter Western
cattle here, at an advanced price. The par
ticulars appear below:
QUOTING THEM FOR IT.
In the course of his investigation yester-
day, DISPATCH reporter ran across some
interesting facts in regard to the dressed
beef bill now before the Legislature. Of
paramount Importance was the statement
that Swift, the Chicago dressed beef million
aire, was in this city short time ago, max
ing observations in regard to proposed
establishment here on the Chicago plan.
This, it is authoritatively said, will be erect
ed here by him, if the bill passes. 1t will
probably be built near the Manchester
stockyards, and promises to be a mighty
lively competitor for the local butchers.
Mr.. S. w. Hill, the dressed beef dealer,
Of Allegheny, who, by the way, is now
agent for Swift, said, in regard to the mat
ter:
eyes, 1 have heard of this scheme of Mr..
Swift's to erect another establishment here,
and should not be at all surprised if it
were to materialize."
what do you think of the dressed beef
bill?" asked the reporter
well, there is just this about the matter:
The butchers, drovers and farmers of this
State, will find themselves badly mistaken
if this bill is passed, as think it will. 1t
will not knock out our trade, as 1, for nv
own part, intend to erect an abattoir and
bring my cattle here from the West. The |
farmers will not get better prices for their
stock, for the reason that the Western
plains will still supply the market much |
cheaper than they can.
PRICES TO GO UP.
1.-THE public will not be benefited, be- |
cause the beef that l now sell for s cents !
will then cost the public 10 cents. to paw for
he added cost of transporting the live stock |
Is compared with dressed beef. So, you
zee, the public will positively be injured"
"Do you think that cattle should be in
'pected before or after killing"
"Well, they should be inspected in both
instances"
The reporter next visited Mr.. G. C. Del
enbach, who said:
81 think that the bill will pass. The
public health demands such q measure, for
know that in such large lots of cattle as
re slaughtered in the Chicago abattoirs,
here are certainly many diseased animals"
Messrs. Joseph Harrison and Adam
Sckert were of the same opinion which is
he prevailing one among the local butch
RS.
There are, however, q few dissenting
oices.
Mr.. james Reed, an old Allegheny
utcher, spoke very frankly and candidly
q regard to the matter. Said he: 81 Ger
ainly believe that the Chicago dressed beef
J as good as any killed here. 1t is all bosh
bout saying that it is not, and such
peeches are only made by butchers who are
'oking out for their interest. The beef
nould be allowed to come here; it is cheap
nd Of good quality"
Mr.. Robert Wilson, of Diamond Market,
zpressed himself in similar tenor on the
sue.