The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
MONDAY, DECEMBER ss. isss.
MAX nE A BLESSING.

t The Kansas City Journal holds that present high prices of beef and pork may really prove a. blessing in dis guise, In that it may induce at least part of the American people to con sune less meat than formerly. It has many times been charged that we Americans eat too much meat, and the argument is used that if we would eat much less of that diet and much more vegetable and cereal food we would not only live more economical Iy but would be the better for the change.
 There may be something in the con fention. As general thing meats have been cheap in this country. We have at most periods had plenty and have used 1t perhaps too lavishiy for our own good. Attention is frequent iy directed to the Japanese, Chinese ana other Eastern people who eat very little meat and yet are able to accomplish . great deal. both men tally and physically. They are not as robust. but they do things. Perhaps It would require generations for the American to reach the point where he could live and do his work we'll on a very limited meat diet. but we sup pose 1t could be done in time.
 But the main argument just now is the saving of money that would re- suit from a material cutting down of the meat ration. and that is an im- portant item to people of limited re- sources. It matters little what causes are operating or combining to pro- duce high prices. for the result is the same. so far as the consumer Is con- cerned; he is paying more for the meat he buys than many are able to afford. It is a condition the people have to deal with, not theory. and 1t looks as though the only way to deal with 1t is to cut out part of the meat ration and substitute some of the cereals and vegetables that can be produced at smaller expense. Ob- servation and experience have shown that this can be done, not only as an economic solution of a serious prob- lem but with actual benefit, and 1t seems to be the only way to circum- vent high prices. and it may be the best way to do the job effectually.
 A good deal of experimenting has been done at various times and by va- rious people to prove that 1t is not only practicable. but beneficial to live entirely without meat of any kind. In most eases these have been only ex- periments which few would care to follow. but in our time we have known more than one man who never touch ed animal food of any description. and who were fine specimens of both men, tai and physical manhood. It is nat ural to suppose that if this is true In some instances 1t may be true in oth- CTS, and for that reason 1t seems H. logical to contend that regular and profuse meat diet is essential to hu- man life and strength of mind and body.
 Ours is great vegetable and grain country. and the production of all va rieties of cereal food is within easy reach. The Advertiser has frequently urged upon its readers the need of raising and fattening more hogs, and we shall continue to do so as long as profuse meat eating is looked On as an essential part of daily life. for thus only can we hope to reduce prices, unless some way can be found that will convince people that less meat will be better for them. both physically and financially.