Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-24

s
doubled IN price since April 1, 1see-the ap.
rr0ximate increase in thu case OF becvcs
being 20 PEI cent: live hogs have adva otc
81 per cent, while the carcass has adj
vanoed "a per cent FAIRLY (barreD beef
has advanced 25 pei cent, PORK s. per cent.
Relatively, a greater advance is noted in
the prices of hog than in beef products
which may be partly cxplained on tho
ground that speculation critters more large
iy into hog than into beef products. and
that --pre-eminently the hogs food
cereal. Sheep have advanced 81 per cent
and mutton 80 per cent since 1926. While
The fact will not sufilce to wholly EXPLAIN
tho present prices Of meats, it is 10 be
rcted that the cost Of all sorts Of animal
feed is relatively higher than for some
time past.
That the opportunity for Vermont farm
ers is appreciated in different sections Of
the State Is shown by the comment made
Upon tho situation. The Mcrrisville Mes
sengcr, for example. Gays:
This paper has long advocated the rails
ing of beef in Vermont. Those who took
its advice are now tc reap the tencf1t. The
boef trust has just advanced the wholesal
price OF beef two cents per pound. Tho
price will not go down soon. as the supply
Of beef is small ard the grazing lands of
the great west are nearly all taken up by
settlers. Raise beef in Vermont II you
want to make money. Keep your calves
aud in two years sell them for beef.
The bennington Reforrler prints the fol
Loving suggestive paragraph:
che becs trust has sgain laised the
wholes ale price OF rIeat and the consun,-
era must line tho pockets Of the trust OWL
ers with q few more millions. In thc
meantime there Is no reason why Vermont
farmers should not grow Just ~ COED beet
as cones from the West. at a splendid
margin of profit. There is every reason
to expect the price to keep at :. high point
indefinitely, and II tho Vermontcrs are
alive t. their opportunity they will take
advantage tf 1t.
| Suggestions Of this character lead to the
consideration of another phase of the prob
lem, and one that emphasizes the banefu
influence of the beef trust. Concerning
this feature the Rutland News we'll says
There ought to be raised let of beef
cattle in Vermont. 1t should be enc Of tn.
principal industries of the State But here
is the rub: The beef trust controls thy
situation. They compel dealers everywher,
to buy thdr product and their products
only or they ruin them. Here in Rutland
! fer instance. are two branch houses OF
the big four" meat concerns. II RUTLAND
dealers bought any considerable amount
OF home -grown beef and sold 1t at les:
price than the combine fXes. the beef trus
]
Below cost OF production until they were
ruined and out Of business, and when tina
time came back would go the prices ane
\ the trust continue its robbery. That !,
the way the thing is managed. Vernon
could raise as coed Reef as Is produced
anywhers and could dc it probably n
about half the present trust prices hut u
marketing 1t would conc the difficulty.
Right here Is where the principle of Ill,
patronlzing OF home industries applies will
particular force. If consumers of mea
products are willing to continue tc submit
to the extortion Ct the beef trust there 4
no remedy In sight. II On the other hand
they are willing to co operate for the pur
pose of buying native meats, the rcmcd,
will be easy. Our farmers can produce no
only beef. but also veal and mutton ant
pork and poultry. and in our estimation
they will make no mistake in taking VI
this matter. Present indications are tina
the high prices OF meat products will con
tnue. and the Legislature Eext Octobc
may discover a way of preventing boycott
ting by foreign concerns that will be help
full. 1t is to be Noted that the general go :,
eminent has already insttuted an investi
lgati.n of the beef trusts operations, an,
good results may follow in that direction
In the meantime our farmers can TAX
advantage Of the present situation by pr,
pairing meat products for market In tn
be realized later on.