The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-13
Retailers Stocks Low.

4uQulIy dfIlo1iS the fIGLdlls meat SHOPS
shows they have little. meat on hand
and are depending on the big pack
inghouses to buy their supplies from
day to day. In the winter, the small
shops buy much meat ahead because
they are able to hang 1t up in the open
markets and the cold weather keeps
1T. But in summer. the retailers have
only small coolingrooms in which to
store meat and prefer to make their
purchases in small lots.
There seems to be considerable of
sentiment among retail meat dealers
that altho the strike may continues for
some time, it will not force them to
close. They argue that the strike, if
continued, will mean that every little
once begin to operate, securing its
supply Of beef and pork from the
farmers. All admit that these
sources will be insufficient to meet the
whole demand, but assert they would
furnish sufficient to enable the meat
ted that such meat would be very
Slaughtered would simply be those
the farmers could make no other use
of than selling for beef. At this
time Of the year 1T Is good deal
good cattle than to slaughter them.
South st. Paul Conditions.
According to NJ. D. Flower. presi-
dent Of the South st. Paul Stock
yards, fifty carloads Of cattle were
received in South st. Paul to-day and
taken care of by the half dozen
operating, and by butchers Of the
Assistant Manager lewis Of the
Swift plant at South st. Paul, says
their plant Is at standstill, being
entirely cleaned out. So far as they
are concerned, the situation Is now
entirely goyerned ,, by the G Ghieago
packers are doing business as usual.
Local Union Is Interested.
George Kissinger, Jr., president OF
the Minneapolis Butchers union,
says that SO far their union has not
the Chicago strikers; that all they
know Of the situation is what they
have read in the local papers.
"Our union will hold meeting this
evening" said Mr.. Kissinger. to The
Journal, land it is possible by that
from Chicago, but know Of none
such coming. Our cooperation has
not been asked to aid the strikers In
any way, and I doubt If it will be
cept in an extremity.
LAS far as I can see, the strike is
mainly a question Of a slight increase
in wages and I can see no reason why
it should not be settled within a short
time. OF course it Is possible that
eventually our union might receive a
request, in event that nonunton meat
Is generally distributed, not to handle
it. If we did, and the dealers at
tempted to force us to handle such
meat, I suppose we would all walk
out to a man. But should hate to
seen such contingency"
Meat Substitutes Are Plenty.
Dealers who handle what might be
termed "meat substitutes" are all
ready arranging where possible, to In
crease their business and landings
along these lines. These substitutes
include poultry, eggs, fish, cheese and
mushrooms.
About 100000 pounds of poultry are
consumed each month in Minneapolis.
Perhaps the largest individual firm
handling this commodity is the Booth
Packing company, which dresses some
5000 pounds Of poultry a week. Of
ficials of this company this morning
ers are now paying 9 and 10 cents a
pound alive for hens, and at that cam
not get an amount equal to the de-
mand. In other words, this is the time
Of year farmers are refusing to sell
poultry in quantity, and Minneapolis
poultry dealers are unable to get the