Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-12
THE PRICE OF MEAT
Somewhat Divergent Views Ex-
pressed by Local Dealers.
NO DOUBT, HOWEVER, OF A RISE
Some Interviews Bearing Upon
the important Subject.
ALE ADV a \ c =

There seems to be some discrepancy In
the prevailing views of wholesale and re-
tail dealers in beef. mutton and pork over
the question to whether the prices mere
have been advanced but from all indlca-
lions there will be unanimity on the SIDE Oh
a material rise. in the next day or two. on
the part of purchasers who are providing
home larders and form the army of con-
sumers.
A Star reporter this morning made in
quiries of several men engaged in the bust
ness. Mr.. Lyman, local representative OF
Swift & Co.. said prices were no higher
than they were a year ago, but he evidently
based his statement on last weeks prices.
All the wholesalers, including Swift x Co.,
Armour & Co., Nelson Morris and others
who serve the Washington market. have
the same schedule of prices and are said
to be bound by an agreement under which
all must conduct business alike.
One ironclad~rule. it is said, provides that
all retail dealers purchasing from any party
to the agreement must pay their bills by
Tuesday of the week succeeding that in
which they were made. In case of failure
to do this the name of the party SO failing
is furnished to ALL and, it is alleged the
party can secure no meat from any OF them
until the bill is settled. Another rule is
said to be in force to prevent independent
parties from supplying retailers here. If
one of these should. for illustration, puy
lot of 500 lambs, with the intention of SELL
ing them to local dealers, the Chicago
wholesalers representatives here 1t is said
Immediately lower the price of lambs to
such extent that the independent buyer
mentioned cannot dispose of his stock at
any profit. and will keep the price down
until he is forced to sell at loss. Then
former prices are restored
Center Market Dealers.
Mr.. John r. Kelley of Center market
said the price of beef had not been raised
to him. because he was using beef already
sent from Chicago.
We never know until we get the consign-
ment or are notified by mail said Mr.. KEEL
ley, what the exact price of the beef is
which is in the cars on the way from Chi
cago.
Mr.. A. ]. Hurley, also of Center market
|. had different information to impart.
Il paid this morning, for the same class
Of beef that | got last week for IS a hun
bred a price of $3.50 per hundred. Straight
lambs and saddles of mutton have gone up
from and 10 cents, respectively, to 10 and
II cents pound, and pork has been ad-
vanced s. a hundred. These prices fiat
and include feet, horns, Suet and grsrle
that cannot be sold. When this loss is estt-
mated, and the expenses OF conducting bus
mess, such as for rent. help, delivery. and
so forth, are considered. il is impossible for
retail dealers 70 keep former prices and
live. At the present wholesale prices it
will be impossible to sell prime porter
house for less than 80 cents a pound or
prime roast for less than - cents. Other
grades will advance accordingly, | think
There is no help for it. that L can see"
Raised in New York.
| Mr.. John c. Walker proprietor of the
Boston Market, purchases all his beef in
| New York, and said he had received word
| this incoming that the wholesale price there
! had been advanced l cent pound, or 81 per
| hundred.
The price Of beef has been advanced
| gradually by the wholesalers who control
| the market for the past three four
years. said Mr.. Walker, and legitimate
! dealers nave been selling it absolute loss
| for the past six months. That is my eX-
! perience. at any rate You have doubtless
| heard complaints of the poor quality of
beef generally sold in this city. This Is
| due simply to the fact that good beef is
| Tot shipped to this city from Chicago. The
beef from grade cattle is sent to New York
and Boston and the big cities in the east,
and Washington is made dumping ground.
| To get prime beef / have to buy in New
| York. About one-seVenth of the carcass
| Of cleaned bullock is profitaby market
| able, but dealers have to pay the fat whole
| sale price for everything except the head.
| hide and hoofs."