The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-24
BRISTOW'Si VOICE
Is Raised in Opposition to the
High Price of Meat.
He Declares That Revolutions
Have Started for Less.
THE PACKERS REPLY.
Say That Expensive Feed Causes
the Trouble.
In the Meantime Consumption
Has Fallen Off.
THE PACKERS REPLY.

washington, Jan. A-"ReVolutions
lave been started by less than the
American people are suffering now"
says Senator Jos. L. Bristow, of Kan
Sas.
Meats foots up to a quarter OF the
average household expenses, and 1t
ought to be cheaper today instead Oh
dearer than it was % years ago. be-
cause of the greater economy IN IT'S
preparation and sale. When 1 was
10y 20 per cent of the carcasses went
to waste. Now nothing goes to waste
not even the blood"
Senator BristCWs words crystalllz7
the sentiment of protest in all parts
of the country against the higher cost
of living Thus far the movement
which first took form In an actual boy
COtt at Cleveland has met with most
success in the west. The east has been
slower to follow. Influenced perhaps by
. widespread feeling among small
0ealers and in the labor unions. that
III iVersal boycott, though eftectlVe as
protest would play into the hands OF
the packers who with their control OF
cold storage houses. and refrigerator
lines could carry their product through
a prolonged boycott though 80 days
cessation of trade would put the small
independents out of business.
Against public clamor. the packers
attributable to the high prices of corn,
and advocate that the poor be educa-
ted to eat cheaper cuts.
These cuts are just as good and
says Harold Swift of Swift & Co..
prices are very high, but there is ev-
cry indication that they will go high
err
Actual consumption of meat is re-
ported by retail dealers everywhere TO
have dropped sharply.
Government Gets Busy.
Chicago, Jan. 24.-The work of pre-
pairing the cause of the government
against the big meat packing concerns
of this city to ascertain whether they
have operated to control the prices of
fresh meats has begun in earnest in
the United States district court before
Judge Lands.
A special venire of jurors appeared
before Judge Lands and % men were
that is to hear the evidence and de-
eide whether indictments shall be re-
turned against the packers.
The firms against which the govern
ment will proceed are Swift & Co, Ar
mour & Co. and Morris & Co., who it
is alleged control the National Pack
ing company eor their common benefit
Early today deputy United States
marshals were started out with more
than a score of subpoenas and writs
ployes and books of the concerns in
volved.
Grand Jury in New York.
New York, Jan. 24.-New York to-
day is in the thick of the fray for the
reduction in the cost of living.
grand jury investigation into the meat
question is pending, a prosecutors in
quiry into the cold storage situation
has begun, meetings in protest against
high prices for food products have
been called and pledges of abstention
from meat are being numerously
The move to refrain from meat eat
ing while playing a considerable part
in the local campaign, is not deemed
so important in many quarters as
against high prices Considerable
stress is being laid upon the investi
cation of the relation of cold storage
to increased cost Of food products to
the consumer, while probing into the
alleged meat combine is expected to
develop interesting and probably help
full data for remedial action.
Inquiry to determine whether New
Workers are paying nine cents quart
for milk because the price was arbi-
trariIv fixed at that figure by a COM
bine gree6y for bigger, profits was be-
gun by the grand jury today.
In addition there have been recent
complaints that a quart milk bottle is
that IN name only anu HOl III 1dCl III
MANY instances. This is expected to
play a considerable part in the in
uuiry now beginning.
Favor Removing the Tariff.
Los Angeles, Cal, Jan. 24.-Believ-
ing that a meat boycott can only in
lure the retail dealer, the Los Angeles
Liberal club last night issued a call
inviting all American civic organiza-
tions to join in a movement towards
inducing congress to reduce the tariff
on meat
According to restaurant proprietors
their patrons are rapidly becoming
abstainers from meat. One asserts
that in lunch places where working
men and clerks eat, meat orders have
fallen off 30 per cent in less than a
week.