Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-04-22
THE PRICE OF BSEF.

1t is ready and natural assumption
that the rise in the price of beef is due
to the artificial and selfish Vaccinations
of those who control the major part OF
the trade in that commodity. Such a
state of affairs is, or would be, by no
means unprecedented. Speculation in
the necessaries of life is not uncommon,
and the formation of corners" for arti-
tcially forcing up To almost prohibitive
| figures the prices of the peoples food
has more than once or twice been known
in our strenuous markets story. 1t is
not at all surprising that the public
should instinctively conclude that the
same selfish and oppressive trick is
again being played by the Beef Trust" )"
OF course, the partial failure of last
years corn crop and the groundless
panic which was thereby caused afford a
nominal pretext for the increase, though
by no means an adequate reason for it,
and the public is probably pretty close
| to the heart of the matter in its estimate
of the situation.
"Howsoe'er these things may be" it
may be well to recognize frankly the
fact that great change is at this time
being effected in this country in the mat
ter of beef production. 1t is natural
and an inevitable change, the effect of
which may be injurious or beneficial,
according TO the manner in which it is
dealt with. The change consists in the
breaking up and disappearance of the
vast cattle ranges of the West, and re-
turn to the older and perhaps more ex-
pensive methods of raising stock. A
score of years ago, in the wild heyday of
the cowboys on the great plains, beef
production was at what seemed the low
est limit of cost. But civilization has
encroached upon the herders happy
feeding grounds. The plains have been
and are being taken up for farms, and
are being cut up with roads and fences.
And this transformation is inexorably
progressive. There will be no reaction,
no return to the old conditions. Steadily
and irreversibly the beef eaters of
America are being compelled to turn
away from the half wild steer of the
open plains toward the traditional
''stalled OK
The net result of this depends, as we
have said, upon the temper and the
action of those whom it may concern.
It would seem TO make an auspicious
opportunity for myriads of farmers in
the Eastern and Middle States who have
hitherto lamented Western competition.
Granted that such farmers were unable
profitably to raise beeves in competition
with the cowboys herds. That compe-
tition is now waning, and forever. More
and more the beef cattle of the West are
being kept in fenced fields, and are being
fed upon corn and other products of the
farmers toll. We see no reason why
the farmers of the East should not be
able to meet such competition. Corn
and beets and what not will grow here
as well as in the West, and will produce
lust as much and just as good meat.
There may be higher taxation to be paid
upon land. But, then, there is the
greater proximity TO market. For years
certain classes of poultry produced in
the Eastern and Middle States have
commanded profitable patronage in this
market over all Western stock. 1t is
not unreasonable to suppose that the
same might be made true of beef and
mutton. In that case, however, 1t
would doubtless be necessary to return
to the old-time practice of using oxen as
beasts OF, labor, practice which is from
all points of view heartily to be COM
mended.
In such readjustment of the sources OF
meat supply there may be some per-
manent increase of price to the con-
sumner. 1t is to be hoped it will not be
great and such hope has a reasonable
basis in the fact that in these new condi-
tions there will be less opportunity than
hitherto for the artificial Vaccinations
of trusts" but the whole business will
remain open to natural and healthfui
competition. A trust" may control at
will the output of a single range OF one
hundred thousand cattle. 1t cannot so
easily control the output of one thou
sand separate farms, each with one
hundred head. But if there be any
permanent increase in meat prices, that
will mean not increased dividends Tor
some huge corporation, such as the
present increase is assumed to mean, but
rather increased profits and prosperity
for vast number of members of the
community, in whose gain there will be
gain for all.-Tribune Farmer.