The Washington times., 1902-08-06
National Association Ad-
vocateS Abolition of
Meat Tariff.
ADOPT FORMAL RESOLUTION
President Wagner's Aggressive Address
Says Butchers Are Fighting for
Life - Local Association Entertains
Delegates.

Life - Local Association Ertertains
Delegates.
Following the recommendation of their
president, Mr.. w. G. Wagner, in his
opening address, the National Retail
Butchers and Meat Dealers Association
last night adopted at the Raleigh a
resolution favoring the abolition of all
tariff duties on meats The resolution
provoked considerable discussion, which
occupied the major portion of the even
ing session. In this way the members
of the association believe that blow will
be struck al the beef trust, against
which they are fighting.
The annual meeting of the association
began at the Hotel Raleigh yesterday.
and the convention will remain in ses-
sion for three DAYS. The members of the
association represent various States and
sections of the country and are virtually
the middlemen in the meat trade. On
one hand they encounter the wholesale
dealers and the beef trust, and on the
other the consumers. who protest
against the prices TO which meat has
been advanced during the past few
months.
Entertainment for Delegates.
When the meeting opened yesterday
John r Kelly, president of the local as
sociation, welcomed the delegates to
Washington. and suggested a program
OF entertainment during their stay in
Washington. This includes big barbe-
cue at Benning today. when five beev.s
will be roasted, and a banquet at the
Raleigh at the conclusion of business
on Thursday evening. Yesterday after
noon the delegates visited Mount Yer
non.
Mr.. James A. Hoffman seconded Mr..
Keliy's welcome to Washington, extend
ing the hospitality of the city. Response
was made 10y MIR Wagner. the president
OF the national association.
Mr.. Wagner, in his address, referred
to the beef trust, and the aggressive
work (which the association had done
10 break it and bring its operations TO
the attention of the authorities. to the
end that action in the courts might be
had
Attack the Beef Trust.
"Our fight" he said, has been for
freedom and commercial liberty against
the tyranny of few. brought about by an
agreement of monied men-a struggle to
maintain our manhood and business in
tegrity without being controlled. ham
pered, and dictated to by the few who
ruled with an iren hand, and whose
aim seemed to be the absolute lic.ation
of price, limiting supplies when they
thought it necessary TO maintain prices;
enforcing the payment of disputed
claims, irrespective OF their accuracy;
blacklisting. men whose honesty and in
tegrity had never been questioned II
feeble protest was made and payment
withheld for an injustice pcTpetrated
upon them Not content with the patron
age OF the butcher, they sought the
consumer, until their objective point
seemed clearly TO be the acquisition Of
The 1ntire trade, both whole sale md re-
tail.
Action of Retailers.
Our association, watchful though VIC
might be. seemed powcrless TO stem the |
tide that was dashing the members OF |
our craft upon the rocks OF despair and |
bankruptcy, living On the crumbs from |
the rich mans table, as it were Even |
the crumbs seemed to be given with 9 |
grudging spirit. But how often avarica |
overreaches itself. and the worm turns
turns to assert its rights of existence in |
this land of freedom and equality Of
mems privileges. And so our associa-
tion turned on this avaricious monster,
that was forging the chain of bondage
link by link. that meant subjection TO
the will and caprice OF few.
Accordingly, on Monday. April a.
1902. your executive officers lodged a
complaint against the oppressive com
binatton OF packers with United States
Attorney General Knox. at the Depart
ment OF Justice. in Washington. D. c
i am happy TO say the Federal Govern
ment recognized the justice OF our com
plant. putting the machinery of justice
In motion at the instigation of our as
sociation, that has in a measure result
ed in the complete demoraliza tion OF the
brms in this combination, AT least for
the time being. and has relieved our
craft OF the oppression from which IL
suffered and complained In every city.
town and hamlet in these great United
States.
Never. more than nov, has 1, been
necessary to maintain and increase o,Ir
organization. for | believe the work be-
fore us has Just begun. 1 hope every
butcher In this great country realizes
the conditions that prevailed. 10 his de- II
triment, and the conditions that viii
surely prevail. unless comhated by the
solid front of our association, through
lie Federal and State governments re-
sorting to the ballot box, II nccessary.
10 maintain and improve our condition.
Government Abattoirs.
81 believe the time is not far distant
4 the butchers are true 10 themselves,
heir fellow men. and this great and be-
owed association OF ours-when the
Government can be induced to establish
public abattoirs or foster the estab-
ishment OF abattoirs by the retail butch
RS OF every city OF enough inhabitants
G warrant 1t. creating a home market
or cattle and live stock and an incentive
or the farmers of the Southern, Mid
lie, and Eastern States to again devote
he land 10 the raisinv and markatinp