The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1907-10-15
ANOTHER ANSWER TO THE MEAT PACKERS

In the last issue of The Ranch there appeared
the testimony of one cattle grower of the north
west, in answer to the meat packers contention
that they are paying better prices for beef to
the farmers of the northwest than the packers
of the middle west are paying the growers of that
region The Ranch contends that the farmers of
the Pacific northwest are being imposed upon by
the meat packers of Seattle, Tacoma and Port
land; that they receiving little more than half
the price that is being paid by the packers in the
Mississippi valley, and yet, on the other hand,
meat is selling in those cities at prices consider
ably in advance of those prevailing in middle
western cities. The meat packers have replied
in interviews in the daily papers to the effect that
the allegations made by The Ranch are without
foundation that they are paying good prices Tor
beef in California Montana and even as far east
as Omaha and that the growers nearer home are
getting even greater advantage on account OF
their proximity to the markets.
The Ranch does not doubt that the packers are
paying good prices in Montana and Omaha, where
they come in direct competition with the larger
packers of Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City and st.
Joseph for they placed in a position where
they must do it if they get the beef, and they
must have beef from these because the
production of the Pacific northwest is not suf-
fcient to supply their demand. But when it
comes to buying the beef of the ranchers of the
Pacific northwest it is different. Here there is
no competition, and instead of the farmers of this
section getting the advantages of a strong mar
ket which cannot be supplied without importing
from elsewhere, they receiving prices which
makes the business of raising cattle for the mar
ket Improbable, and a result many of the cat
tlemen have been forced out of business
If the packers only knew it, they are doing
themselves more harm than good. BY killing the
cattle industry in this part of the country, they
are Gripping their packing industry. If they
are always going to be compelled to go to Mon
clxo for thpir oatt 10 hQ ing
business on the coast will never obtain to the
proportions which it might if well supported
and perfectly logical cattle raising industry should
grow up the ranges of the Pacific northwest
The farmers of the Pacific northwest do not want
unreasonable prices for their beef. They only
want price that will enable them to do business
proftably. They believe that if the packers can
sell their meat in this country at higher price
than the packers of the middle west can get then
they afford to at least pay as much to the
farmers for the beef on the hoof
AS further testimony in reputation OF the
claims made by Charles Frye of Frye-Bruhn Co..
Seattle published in last issue, submit
herewith a letter from one of the best known
cattle raisers in the northwest. He writes under
the name of ACORN" title he always in
numerous contributions to the farm papers, but
if the meat packers any of our readers desire
to know who he u.s. his name will be readily dis
closed in answer to a communication. The letter
follows:
Editor The Ranch: Prices for good live beef
cattle in the Pacific northwest low the past
three years to drive most of the old feeders
out of the business and most of the growers say
they barely get half the cost of production.
| to Chehalis, Wash, in 1873 and have
been here great part of the time since and am
among the stockmen of Washington, Oregon and
Idaho each year good deal, and everywhere the
cost of pasture, feed and grain is far in excess
of the price of good beef Most of the feeding is
being done by the big saughterers and deal
ers that control the northwest market and set the
price to both producer and consumer. The pro-
ducers only remedy seems to be to quit. For
tunately other ways are open to him to make
good living these busy times. good six months
old colt will buy three 3-yearold steers or four
stock cows dozen calves. A man with