Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-21
Frederick Larrabcc's Scheme
For Cooperative Packing
Plant Progressing
MEAT PRODUCERS TAKE IT UP
Iowa Stock Rasers Coming to Realize
Waste of Money in Shipping Cattle
to Chicago to Be Slaughtered and
Then Buying Back Beef Of Their
Own Raising.
Special to Times Republican.

Oft DOQEp. Jan. ill Ilc llIJN
fathered by Frederick Larrabee, of
this city, for the organization of a CO.
operative packing house of Iowa, is
being taken up seriously by the Corn
Belt Meat Producers Association. A
county Is to be held February LIST.
Mr. Larrabee, when interviewed,
stated that as yet the project is theory,
but cannot fail to materialize. He
says it is hoped to begin definite action
by the first of February and that the
length of time that will elapse between
then and the realization of the idea
in actual practice will depend entirely
on the backing and activity placed in
it by those interested.
Mr. Larrabee explained the project
as follows:
1T has always been necessary for
Iowa meat producers to pay freight on
live stock to Chicago and back again.
w IleH llc COSl VI lIleol uSSu ID CSlle
mated to include freight for shipment.
If cooperative plant is instituted in
the state, it will do away with this
expenditure which averages freight for
$50 miles from any part Of the state,
think. That in itself will be a big
gain.
The plan Is to have a big central
plant, located at some convenient
place, and have numerous branch
houses, say one in each county. These
smaller houses can do the ordinary
packing house business and what they
can't handle can be shipped to this
central plant to be utilized. For in
stance this central plant will have the
facilities for making soap, and 50
forth.
'"nhe plan is receiving all kinds of
boosting" continued Mr.. Larrabee. II
have great many letters written me
from all over, expressing the approx
al of many stock men and Offering me
their support. Here's a letter from d
farmer in Nebraska. He wants to take
stock in the concern. Such things as
that indicate that the concern would
not only afford Iowa an excellent OPP
portunity for reduced expenses and
more convenient business, but it
would also bring into this state, bus
mess from states further away from
Chicago, that will find the Iowa con-
Germ nearer for them.
When asked concerning the state
ments making known the idea to es-
tablish the plant at Des Moines, as a
central place, or at Kelley. because OF
it's railroad facilities, and it's nearness
to Ames college. Mr.. Larrabee said:
1T is true that both those places
are being agitated Des Moines be-
cause it has good railroad facilities,
and Kelley, for that reason and be-
cause Of its nearness to Ames where
the college could help it materially. The
idea is even being agitated that Ames
institute department for the teach
ing of such branches as need to be
known by employees in such an in
stitution. This of course would be
big inducement for locating the CEN
trail plant there.
There is no reason why Fort
Dodge ought to have it, tho, If the
people want to hustle for it, l should
certainly favor Fort Dodge. It's CEN
trail and the only, objection would be
lesser railroad facilities. I see no
good reason why Fort Dodge should
not have it, Ames, Boone and Des
Moines are hustling the thing and the
commercial club of these cities are to
hold joint meeting soon concerning
-l,% 10 M r.
ed there, and get her good work in,
too"
According to Mr. Larrabee, the plan
seems as good as realization because
so many willing hands and pocket
books are ready to aid it. Such
company should be tioated in sixty
days, with the right activity. am
sure" said Mr. Larrabee.