The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1904-04-14

things considered, we believe the
profits are little enough.
"In June, 1902, the same class
of beef sold in the Chicago
market at SS1 cents a pound"
the price has been failing steadily
ever since. In January of the
present year it was $40, while it
now Is GA. These figures dis
prove the argument that there has
not been a corresponding decrease
in the selling price of beef during
this period as compared with the
cost of live stock. There has
been no change worth mention.
ing IN price during the last few
weeks. The figures liuctuate
every week, and are bound to do
so. The selling price is governed
entirely by the cost of the cattle
There are several things which
affect the cost of cattle. The law
of supply and demand frequently
causes fluctuations of the market.
Weather conditions affect it, but
the principal factor is the quail
ity of the cattle. We try to get
the best, but are obliged some
times to take what is offered
During the summer of 1902.
when high prices prevailed, the
cost of cattle on the hoof was
from 81 to n cents a pound.
The margin of profit was small at
that. The present wholesale
prices of beef are not abnormally
high. Conditions are normal us
far as the receipts of cattle and
the grade is concerned. We are
getting corn fed cattle now and
we are paying what we consider n
reasonable price.
SPRING ADVANCE Is USUAL.
"There usually is a slight adj
vance in the spring, rs the grade
of cattle is better and we must
pay more for animals on the
he In 1902 the high price Of
beef was occasioned by the eX-
cessive cDst of corn and the scar
city Of cattle on feed. The corn
fed season usually extends from
November to August. In the
latter half of the year we get
grass fed animals, which are not
so desirable and of course sell at
lower price.
Corn fed cattle are better be-
cause corn, by analysis, has been
proved to contain greater
amount of protein than any other
fodder. 1t is that which fattens
the beef and helps to give it
! flavor.
"The selling price of beef is
not governed by any arbitrary
/ fixing of prices. but is arrived at
/ by computing the actual killing
expenses, allowing for shrinkage
between the live and dressed
weight. There is no necessity for
any combination TO regulate sell
/ ing prices, as they are fixed and
based solely on the cost of live
stock. So far as am concerned,
the prevailing prices will stand,
subject, of course, to the usual
slight fluctuations, which are
of weekly occurrence and not
worth commenting upon"
Concerning which the Live
Stock World (Chicago) has this
to say IN reply:
The World prints in it's news
columns today statement by
Louis +. Swift, in which he eX-
presses the opinion that the cost
of beef is not high when COM
pared with the cost Of beef on the
hoof.
Mr.. Swift says: "We are get
ting cornfed cattle now and we
are paying what we consider Il
reasonable price"
On this point the grower and
Mr.. Swift do not agree. The lat.
ter attributes the high price OF
cattle two years ago largely to the
scarcity and high price of corn at
that period. The feeders expert
ence of the past winter has CON
WINGED them that there is a close
similarity between the cost OF
corn then and now.
1t is significant that the gross
disparity between the cost of cat
tie on the boot and beef to the
consumer has not yet been eX'
planned with any degree Of lucid
ity. The consumer is still pay
ing somebody eXorbitant profit:
and under the circumstances this
Is curtalling consumption.
In an interview with Chicago