The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-13
ABOUT CATTLE.
A Legitimate Advance in the
Price of Meat.
Investigation Into the Causes Wei.
coined by Shippers and Packers.

KANSAS CITY, April 49, - Secretary
Morton's instructions regarding the In
vestigation into the causes for the prevail
ing high prices of meats have not dis
turbed the cattle men and packers in this
city. All OF those interviewed In reference
TO the matter unite in the statement that
the scarcity Of cattle is the cause, and that
there is not the slightest reason for the
supposition that combine exists either
among the cattle men or packers.
Robert g. White, senior member OF the
X. G. White company, who has been In
the cattle business for 40 years, expresses
the opinion OF majority Of the cattle
men. "A poor corn CROP" he said, 'has
invariably been followed BY high prices
for cattle and beef in the past. The re-
ceipts for cattle have decreased remarka-
bly, for the first quarter of 1S93 Chicago
receipts decreased IL per cent; Omaha. 32
per cent and Kansas City, IL $40 per
cent In the four largest live stock mar
kets in the country-Kansas City, Omaha,
st. Louis and Chioago-the shortage is
100000, as compared with 1894"
Advance Is Legitimate.
ST. LOUIS, April 3.--Representatives of
the packing houses at the stockyar say
the advance in the price of dressed beef is
legitimate and caused by the advance In
cattle. They claim they have been work
ing at disadvantage during the past six
months, as the price of cattle has ad-
vanced more rapidly than the meat. Cat
tie commission merchants say the price of
cattle is due TO their scarcity. Owing to
the short crop OF corn, native cattle have
been cleaned up closer than in many
years. Texas has good corn crop, but
the prices have been so low during the
two previous years, that it has not been a
profitable business to ranch owners and
they have turned their attention TO rails.
Ing other things, making the cattle supply
short this year.
Armours Figures.
CHICAGO, April l3.-Referring TO the
proposed investigation by Secretary Nor
ton, =. A. Armour said: "The shortage
in cattle at the four principal western
markets thus far this year amounts to
nearly 270 600 head compared with year
ago. The shortage in pounds of dressed
beef since the first Of the year figures out
about l75, 600. 900, or nearly Q. 900, 900 pounds
day. AT the same time the price OF live
cattle has advanced about 2 cents a
pound"
CharGeu To Monopotfstss
BUFFALO, April 13-The Express today
publishes a column interview with Chris
tian klinok. the millionaire Wholesale
dealer in beef and pork OF this city, in
which Mr.. Klinck emphatically states
that the present high prices in meat are
directly chargeable to a combine of the
large packers in the west. Mr.. Klinck
says:
This monopoly has driven the small
dealers to the wall, principally by
shrewd arrangement with the railroads
whereby the roads are carrying the rings
product for about one-half less than the
rates ordinary dealers have to pay. The
ring own their own cars, and these they
load up with S5, 0OOo TO 10000 pounds, and
then bill them generally at 20, 600 pounds.
1.-The railroads dare not question the
rates. lest they lose their patronage. and
SO the bill goes. Smaller dealers have TO
pay full rates, and are thus forced out Of
business, after which the agencies in the
various cities of the monopoly can put
their prices at what they please. This is
what Is now being DONE"