The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-10
SOME OFFSET IN
THE MEAT TRADE
Recent Exposures Stimulate the
Poultry and Fish Business
LIVELY DEMAND FOR EGGS
Market Men, Commission Merchants
and Agents of the Chicago Pack
Ing Houses Talk About the
Local Situation.
LIVELY DEMAND FOR EGGS

Concerning the effect of the report of
the President to investigate conditions in
the Chicago packing houses. a number of
local retail dealers in fresh meats were
interviewed yesterday The coneensus of
opinion among them seems to be that
while at present there is not a very no
ticeable decrease in Birminghams con-
sumption of meat that later on 1t will be
more marked Present conditions, 1t Is
pointed out will inure to the benefit of
local packers.
Some of the dealers in poultry report
that their stocks are in greater demand
and they argue from this that the public
is experiencing a change of heart toward
their old friends the cows and pigs, Of
western origin. owing to the foul condi-
ton of packing houses as set forth in the
commissioners report, and are conse-
quently switching off to chickens
Fish dealers say that their offerings are
also coming in for share of popular
favor. They say that the imagination ex
ercises great influence over the whims of
appetite, and for this reason they claim
fish should have the call.
When asked In regard TO the matter
yesterday, City Meat Inspector E. NJ. Dun
can said that so far as he could judge
from a somewhat hurried consideration,
the exposures have not affected the con-
sumption of western meats In the Bir-
mingham market. AS to what effect they
would have If kept up, he stated that 1t
might have a tendency to cause the peo-
pie TO demand more Of the home-raised
meats.
All the meat that comes to the Birming
ham markets. either the home product or
the western brands, is inspected by the
city authorities before 1t is allowed to be
offered to the retail trade. Mr.. Duncan
reports that there is comparatively little
of the product condemned, and that when
1t is, 1t has been usually that which has
met with wreck ON the way or has
been in some manner unduly exposed al
home.
Mr. Duncan believes that the principal
falling off in the meat trade here will be
noted in the canned goods.
H. Siegal, butcher, said: THE local
market has certainly been affected. 1 am
satisfied that sales of sausage and the
canned meats have greatly decreased.
Even fresh meat is not in nearly SO great
demand"
George w. Merrill of the Central mar
ket said: II think the report about the
packing houses has had a bad effect on
our business At any rate it has been
a little quiet of late
H. Goodwin, fish dealer in the Central
market: There has not been any APP
preciable change in my business
Benton Bros. butchers. Central mar
ket: "our business is as good as ever. I
attention to the stories about the pack
ing houses"
The Hotel Supply company, Central
market 1--WE don't believe the sale of
fresh meats will be affected at all be-
cause we get only meat that has passed
the United States inspector. But this Is
not the case with canned goods. These
often pass without any inspection. The
reading public knows this"
The Consumers Meat company, Central
market 1.-THE report makes a difference
in the canned goods trade and also as
to the sale of sausages, but I don't think
the sales of bulk meat will be curtailed
to great extent. though they have fall
len off somewhat"
John e. Hill, Central market: MY sales
have not decreased. The butcher that han
dies high grade meat has no complaint
to make. Occasionally customer refers
to the exposures. but says he eats the
meat just the same"
J. j. Platten of the Central market: 81
notice that my sales are lighter since the
packing house exposures Customers who
used to order every day now order only
about twice week. This is principally
among the meter class of the trade. those
who read the papers"
C. II. Whttieman & Co: 81 have sold
more sausage this Saturday than l did
any day few weeks ago. My general
trade has not decreased at ALL"
Sig. Levy: MY business has shown no
decrease except the usual falling off at
this time of the year, due to fresh vege-
tables coming on the market"
Armour g. Co.'s local agency: I'VE ex-
pect our business to fall off some in the
near future as a consequence of the re-
port the minds of some, but as yet
there has been no loss in volume"
Swift & Co.: There has been no fall
ing off In our sales We invite inspec-
ton of our packing houses. That is our
best advertisement"
Smith Bros. grocers: There may be
some decrease in the sales of canned
meats, but the standard brands are and
have been SO well known and used for
years, that we don't look for much
change"
In connection with the discussion as to
the probable effect of the Packngtown ex-
posures on the Birmingham meat market.
S. p. Fowlkes states that so far the sales
of canned meats have not been apprecla-
bly, disturbed. He says that while he
thinks the trade will be affected before
the matter has been finally cleared up. the
market at the present time shows no
noticeable falling off in the sale of these
canned goods nor In an increase in the
sales of foods that may be regarded az
serving as the equivalents of meats.
l.. A. Townley, one OF the oldest and
most prominent commission merchants on
Morris avenue. said that the demand for
eggs and chickens had materially in
creased on account OF the exposures OF
packing house methods. 81 estimate"
said Mr. Townley. that twenty-five per