The Washington times., 1902-08-20
MR.. SHAW'S STAND
ON TARIFF STATED

does afford shelter to monopoly, but
there would be no difference of opinion
about removing it if it did afford such
shelter.
Differences of Opinion.
"A few days ago. in convention as
scmbIed, the butchers declared in favor
OF abolishing the tariff on cattle and
meat to the end that this supposed
shelter for the alleged meat trust might
be removed; but am disposed TO think
the good farmers of my State will vote
quite unanimously against such an ex-
pertinent By the trend of the speeches
made at the butchers convention. dis
cover a sentiment well nigh universally
expressed there that meat is being
monopolized by the great packers. But
happen to have tenant out in Iowa who
has fine bunch of fat cattle, on which
no packer holds a lien of any kind, and
he writes me that he is willing to sell
them to the butchers if they will pay as
much as the packers offer.
Il am quite sure the people would
quite as soon buy this meat from the
butchers as from the packers. Thus there
is afforded a splendid opportunity for
anyone to make all kinds of money If
he will but give the farmer as much
money for his beeves and give the people
as much beef for their money.
But suppose we take the tariff off
beef and then suppose the herds of cattle
from Mexico and South America are
brought in by the hundred thousand
They will find their way TO the stock
yards and the butchers will be compelled
to bid against the packers then as now.
No; the removal of the tariff on live
stock and meat would not restore the
butchers TO business.
''It might ruin the farmers, but the
packers could stand 1t: for nothing less
than organized capital could enter the
import meat business with packing
houses in for0>Sn countries, refrigerat-
ing ships and other expensive equipment.
l happen to know that at least one. and
understand two, of the big packing
houses have had men looking into the
South American field for more than two
years. The farmer. as it Is, has ample
reason to be apprehensive.
Other Reasons Found.
Il have taken occasion to look this
matter up since reading of these reso-
lutions. and | think | can find reasons
for the present price of meat other than
the protective tariff. / find that there
were received at the stock yards in
Chicago in the one month of July, 1902,
$1,000 less beeves and 10000 less hogs
than in the same month one year ago.
That means 1000 less animals per day.
The %" road alone, during the entire
month, brought from the Southwest,
where the corn crop was a failure last
year, 900 less fat steers per day this
year than last.
Let no one understand this to be a
defense of the packers or an extenua-
tion of their offenses. suit is now
pending against them, and If the allega-
tions OF the petition are sustained land
that seems probable). they are going to
have trouble, and it will take very
much more acute form than it would to
say to the farmers of the United States
that their industry shall be opened to
competition from the unlimited ranges
of South America.
THE senior Phil Armour told me that
he got rich. while young man, by
watching the iron and coal miners. He
said: Whenever these men were at work
/ used to pack every ham could get my
hands on and my old partner would say.
Phil, you will break us up" | would
answer, No, these fellows are working"
But when the coal and iron workers
were idle, used TO sell everything |
could dispose Of.
n