Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-22
LOCALPRICES AFFECTED
RENEWED STRIKE OF BUTCHERS
MAKES MEAT COSTLY.
Beef Jumps "a Cents a Pound-May
Have Local Strike-Mer-
chants Worried.

The greatest interest in the strike situa-
ton was manifested this morning by local
meat merchants. wholesalers and retailers,
when the news Of the renewal OF the Dig
strike was brought to them by the report
ers. This was the first they had heard OF
it, and at once they began to figure on
prices for this afternoon and tomorrow.
Wholesalers Immediately raised the prices
until they reached figures nearly as large
as those of several days ago, when the
strike at its height.
Those who were feeling downcast because
of the slump of yesterday and the day be-
fore, which would cause them to lose
money on large quantities of stock secured
at high prices In anticipation of a prolonged
strike were made to rejoice; and all were
thrown into state of nervousness.
Good beef was being sold at wholesale
early this morning for and 9 cents
pound but when the renewed strike was
announced the price was raised to 101s
cents. This quality of meat brought II
cents while the strike was at its height
last week Pork leins went up a cent i'm
mediately, and an increase was contem-
plated for all other meats.
Nave Have Local Strike.
The possibilities of local strike are re-
newed. Martin Helmuth. secretary-treas-
urer of the local union. was notified of the
order from headquarters and Immediately
telegraphed to ascertain what position it
was desired the butcher workers here
should take. He and his fellow workmen
are awaiting the reply with anxiety. When
asked by a Star reporter what the union
men in tits city thought ABOUT the new
situation, lie said:
I'VE will stand by our rights" He re-
fused to say anything more.
A rumor was current about noon that the
(. ANT eli tor
had already struck 1t was passed from
mouth to mouth in the meat market and
caused no little excitement. The most re-
liable information. however, dispelled all
alarm. There appears to have been no
foundation for the report.
The local union men are much concerned
over the unsatisfactory way they think
their fellows in the west have been treated
by the packers. and await but the order
from headquarters to walk out. But since
the slaughter houses here are not operated
by men in the so-called beef trust. the
probabilities that the officials Of the
organization will not see fit to complicate
matters here. 1t is expected that some
union official will soon come to this city to
look over the situation.
Supply Getting Low.
Michael Keane of Keane & Co. said there
was.a good deal of beef on hand here, but
that if the strike continued longer the con-
ditons would be worse than ever. The
wholesalers. he said, have been buying up
cattle in the neighboring states until the
supply on the hoof has begun to get low.
Raisers of cattle have sold stock that erdi-
narily would not have left the fields until
August, and consequently in a few weeks
the August supply will be found wanting
This. he said. would be unfortunate con-
dition of affairs.
Nevertheless a famine is not feared for
many reasons. 1t is expected there will
be a few cattle to kill here right along
and also that a few shipments from the
west and from New York will be made
These sources. however, may become very
uncertain. Thus far, meat merchants say,
the east can take care of itself" But
they may have to change their tune.
The consumption Of meat in this city has
fallen off about % per cent since the be-
ginning of the strike, and may be expected
row to fall off still more An agent of a
Baltimore meat-selling firm was in town
this afternoon, and in conversation with
The Stars representative said the consump-
ton In the monumental city had fallen off
fully 30 per cent. People are willing to do
without meat even at only a slight advance
in prices. preferring to eat vegetables, fish
and eggs.