Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-01
DRESSED BEE BUSINESS.
The Senatorial Investigating Committee.
LBy telegraph to The Dispaich.l

WASHINGTON. November Ex-senator
Vest committee. which has been inve-u-
eating the dressed beef business of tho
country for sOmo months, having VISITED
the contres of that business in the course
Of their inquiry during the recess OF Con-
Cress. resumed the examination OF wit
nesses in tho room OF the Senate Commit
tee on Commerce this morning. There
were present of the committee: Senators
Vest. Coke. Farwel, Henderson, and
Plumb and q number OF persons interest
"a as witnesses or otherwise. Among
them was z. D. Armour. the Chi
cago beef and pork-packer, whose
presence the committee failed 70 Sc
cure at its sittings IN that city.
part of his testimony. Mr.. Armour read a
written statement which included the
figures of the business of Armour a Co.
for q term of years and comparison OF
prices at Chicago in 1853 and IN 1889 In
the course Of the statement Slr. Armour
said there bad been reduction IN the
prices of canned meats because Of the com
petition of those products with cheap
Son h American and Australian beet and
mutton of fully 30 per cent. The depre-
citation of these products had reduced
the value OF range cattle ten 10 twelve
dollars q head. He said " the depression
in prices and the present state OF the cat
tie markets are duo 10 over production, o.
pccially on CRASHED cattle, and the mar
ketng Of immature animals whlch are 100
thin for the block. This has Affected al
corl-fc1 and native cattle except the
choicest. and enforced the competition OF
the farmers raising cattle on the higher
priced and highlc-improyed farms OF llll-
uois. Iowa. Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska
with the ranchcrs of the West aud South
west. who herd thousands of inferior cat
tie upon the public lands or lands of little
value. The gradual absorption OF ranges
bv actual settlers and reproduction
0f range cattle have greatly oyercrowded
the remaining range country, ana conSe-
oueutlv lessencd the quantity OF grass and
impaired the nutrItivr quality. A. ma
tural result the grass-ted range cattle nave
detcriorated in weight and vaiue, and
southwestern steers now coming Welgh
from 10 to 20 per cent. less than steers OF
similar character did six years ago" lie
said that the changed condition OF the
cattle had neccsstatrd and compelled the
establishing of centralized markets ~
thoy are called. without which large raisers
could not dispose of the cattle, nor could
the export trade IN dressed, sailed, or pre-
served meats be- carried on. lie charged
that such markets are tho eject OF the
condition of cattle-grOWng and marketing
and no other cause.
Mr.. Armour denied that he or his firm
had ever been in any combination or agree
mout of any kind with any other party. or
PARTIES % tx or control the prices Whlch
should be paid for live cattle, or thaJ either
hc or bis firm had ever arranged with others
in the dressed beef business or with the
shippers of beef IN carcass 70 tx the price
mt which such carcaeseS should bc SOFA.
He did admit, however that the prices OF
cut meats and canned meats were arranged
from time TO time with other producers or
those commodities according TO the conql-
ton Of tho market as the supply or de-
maud required. as IL was absolutely neces-
saTy tOdOso % protect dealers IN these afti-
clos from sudden violent declines IN prices
lut IN no case were prices eXurbltaut, nor
would it he possible 10 make them such
and maintain them 50 for any length 81
time. because az the unlimited supply OF
such cattle and the limited demand which
tie market affords for these articles.
Upon the subject Of prices 70 the con
sumer Nr. Armour said: " The prices oi
meats hnvo changed with the lve-cGt-
Tie prices ms far as the demands of
the public and the changed condition
of the butcher business would per
nit The butcher who successfully
competes for the trade of our more
comfortable citizens must keep we'll
equipped and Xpcnslyely-iurnsued store
IN locality OF hlGh rents 10 DE COW en- a,
10 such trade must sell prime beef and
incur considerable expense for delivering
the purchases Of the customers to their
homes. The prices Of all coarse
meats have been reduced several
cents per pound. bat the finest
roasts and sirloins and porterhouse steaks
are sold at range Of higher and lower
figures The fact that Halstead d Co..
Chamberlain & Roe Swift 4 Co., and my
firm regularly take of the hands Of the
butchers Of New York, Philadelphia, and
Boston the coarse parts of the beef, from
prime steers such rs are converted into
salt beef for domestic trade and export at
~ and p cents per pound, and the fact
that these butchers must rely upon our
trade largely for the disposition Of the
coarse cuts. proves conclusiyely lack q
demand for and the cheapness OF such
cuts
An abstract Of the firms business for 1883
showed an average profit Of Sl.32 per head
OF the beef slaughtered.