The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-14
WILL FIGHT The PACKERS
Washington Butchers to Erect ard
Operate an AbattOir.
Alleged Unfair Treatment by the Big
Western Meat Dealers Results In
Boycott-The Plant to Cost S75.-
0o0-A Suitable Site Selected.

ern packing houses and their local repre-
sentatives the butchers of Washington
have determined to erect on the Virginia
side of the Potomac an abattoir at cost
of about $4,000. This is the outcome of a
long struggle between the Butchers Asso-
citation Of this city and the packers. The
determination TO proceed with the details
Of the slaughterhouse scheme was made
at meeting held Tuesday The support
given to the proposition by the butchers
Of Washington and the outlying towns is
very enthusiastic and it is said that there
is not now the slightest doubt that the
plans viii be carried out successfully
The purpose OF the abattoir scheme is
to furnish to Maryland and Virginia farm
ers facilities for preparing their meats
for market, The establishment when
completed viii be one of the largest in
the South and viii contain every modern
appointment.
1t is also the purpose of those at the
head of the abattoir movement TO make
the meat dealers in this city independent
of the Western packers. and to drive
the latter out Of the field in as many of
the Southern cities as possible. The Wash
tngton butchers claim that they have en-
dured great deal from the meat dealers
of the West. They assert that the meth
ods Of shipping meat employed by the
Western establishments are such as to
work hardshigs to the provision ner-
chants in this city
It is said that the local representatives
Of such companies as the Armour Beef,
the Armour Packing and Provision, the
Swift. and the Nelson Morris companies
have formed an organization, which has
had as its object the control Of the re-
tail meat trade of this city Local
butchers declare that at the storerooms Of
the Swift Company or the Nelson Morris
Company it is possible to buy beef or
lamb in quantities as small as four
pounds II Is claimed that meetings are
held every morning by the packers agents
to fix the retail price at which meat VIII
be sold from the storehoUses, and that the
competition thus brought about is ex-
trcmeIy harmful 70 the interest Of the To-
cal butchers.
As result Of this alleged action on the
part Of the packing house managers a
boycott. it is said. has been declared by
the association of local butchers against
the Western packing-house products. Ac-
:, riding to the statement Of one prominent
,utcher today no meat is being bought
from any Of the Western firms. but all
teef. lamb. and mutton is being purchased
from the men who Kill in the vicinity of
Washington He declared that he has al
ready received notices from slaughter
houses in Baltimore that they would be
willing to furnish every ounce Of meat the
butchers Of Washington would take at
reasonable figure. He claimed therefore,
that the Washington butchers were. and
could easily be- independent Of the West
ern packers
Represen. .atfves of the big packers deny
that a boycott has been declared against
them c f Lyman, manager for the
Swift Company in Washington, who is
supposed to head the association OF local |
representatives, Of Western firms, said
this morning that he was not aware OF
any hostility toward him. and did not
think that any boycott had been declared.
At least the volume Of business bzing
done by him did not show any decrease
The statements Of others connected with !
the Western concerns were similar
The main grievance which the local
Il
ers relates TO the method OF shipping
meat, especially lambs The butchers
state that the price of lambs has been
raised at least 1 cent a pound, If not more
because of the methods of the packing
houses \ letter Of remonstrance drawn
up at a meeting Of the association about |
two months ago was sent to all the big
Western packing firms. but no notice was
taken of it The local butchers thought |
it was time 10 act. and last Tuesday took |
the matter II their own hands, declaring !
boycott. and deciding to construct their |
own abattoir.
The association is composed Of about $40 |
members. all meat and provision dealers |
Of Washington and vicinity. It was form
ed about five years ago. and is in a most !
fourishing condition The organization |
has among its members some Of the most /
grocars in the South, and has |
ample funds to do all that it has under |
taken to accomplish, it is said Its Off |
GERS are John R Kelly, president; j H |
Johnson, vice president; George NJ Hunt, |
secretary, and J. Donovan, treasurer
The purpose Of the abattoir IS set out by |
the promoters of the scheme as follows:
'.Fhe intent of this company is to estab- |
Iish a stock yard that the farmers and /
drovers may drive their cattle, sheep, and |
'ambs to. and consequently find ready |
sale for the same; and also to build an /
abattoir that the butchers Of Washington !
and Alexandra viii thereby be enabled |
to buy live stock and have the same |
dressed for market
1t is also the purpose OF this company |
to engage in the manufacture Of all pro-
ducts that they may successfully compete |
with any Western slaughteThouse meats" |
The establishment viii be erected on a /
tract of land containing five acres, Iocat-
ed across the Potomac, upon which an
option has already been obtained The |
company will be organized on co-opera- |
tive basis, no members being allowed |