The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-25
TUESDAY, APRIL y. 1902.
THE PRESSING HEAVY RISE IN
MEATS.

II is possible, perhaps PROBABLE, that
Ehe meat trust fellows will fail in the
end. AS suggested before the people
have it in their own power TO defy and
destroy this rescalIy meat trust assault
upon empty and hungry stomachs-by
simply refusing, as in war times, to buy
from the enemy and prosecutor. 1t has
been suggested that a cure can be
found another way, by putting import
ed cattle and meats en- the free list
opening the ports to all foreign meat
producers. The Philadel 2hia Ledger
doubts as to this last suggestion work
ing out with entire satisfaction. 1t says
that this might not afford full relief,
owing to possible conditions in Canada
and Mexico. but it would undoubtedly
stimulate the imports of animal food
stuffs and provide competition for mo
nopoly. During the fiscal year of 1901
the United States imported cattle, sheep
and hogs to the value of sS.167,710 and
meats to the value of s461.67O. During
the same period our exports of cattle,
hogs and sheep were valued at $39, 49,
AS. The exports Of beef products
amounted to $44, 225, 319. of which no less
than SCI, S51,361 represented fresh beef,
while the value OF hog products export
ed was S119, 961, 500. Under ordinary cir
c~umstances, the NINA foodstuffs of
this country reuire little or no protec-
-tion. since the United States is Il seller
rather than a buyer"
But it is perhaps true that already
meats have reached the highest point,
and that there is at nand a break in the
excessive prices. In Wilmington and
elsewhere, the butcher were prompt to
put up prices, perhaps three cents a
pound, more or less. 1t is stated by the
Philadelphia Record that such a trick
as that played by the beef magnates
is not new. 1t states that Its history
and methods were investigated by a
federal senate committee twelve years
ago, and this committee reported that
under the Influence of the combination
the price OF cattle had been greatly re-
>duced. and that "a combination exists
at Chicago between the principal dress
ed beef and packing-houses which con-
trolls the market and fixes the price of
beef OF course the combination has
not been standing still for a dozen years
past"
The methods of control We're present.
ed them as now described to be the
driving local butchers out of business:
establishing in it's own interests a COM
,law cycfano IF fra;Cbt rahafoS and die
ordinations; taking practical posses
sion of the business of general meat
and provision supply throughout the
country; securing favoring legislation
from congress in the way OF tariff rates
and accommodating an enormous capital
FUND to be used at Will whenever and
wherever it's business interests-that
as. it's control of foodstuff supply-might
he threatened by competition or by
hostile legislation"
Let the people resoIve-"we will eat
no more meat" SO long as life lasts I'M
der such hateful, unjust conditions.
Let no one buy from the blood-suckers
i pound of meat of any kind. The Rec
ord, the first to suggest rigid absti-
hence Us 10 lhe meat hlIquIlS, says IhdI
the American people have found it an
easy matter to practice Il virtue OF
partial abstinence. Life nay be sus-
tanned without meat; but a Beef Trust
cannot exist without meat sales of
normal and assured volume. A mere
passing demonstration of the willing
ness and ability of meat consumers to
curtail domestic supplies of this form of
diet would be sufficient at any time to
shatter the cherished Trust notion that
extortion might he safely practiced be-
cause organized resistance would be i'm
possible. AS a matter of economic fact
and principle there can be no absolute