New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-18
DENIAL BY PACKERS
BLAME THE FARMERS.
Rcpndiatc Responsibility for
High Cost of Meats.
IIrom % Ilrlhune Ilurrsy J

Washington. March 1.-THE special COM
in,tteo ~ tho Sonste which Is investigating
she Increases cost 81 living was assured
to-day that the packers are not RESPONSE
HE for tho high cost OF meats The Wit
nesses Who testified were unable 10 say
aennitely who Is responsible, but they in
timatod that the farmer and the cattle
raiser are sharing the greatest benefits 81
tllc increased prize.
Charles Robe. n New York packer. who
D. president 81 the American Association
NJ Meat Packers. and George L. Mccarthy,
~ 40. il6 Nassau street, New York. secre-
tavy az the association, told the committee
that their organization. which embraces I'm
iis membership over 50 per cent az the
PACKERS of the United States. does not at
tcmpt 10 control prices. They said il rs
nenely sort 81 benevolent society for the
promotion OF mutual trade interests, and
that prices, competition. credits, etc, are
never discussed az the meetings
Mr. Robe was a reluctant witness. lie
volunteered no information whatever. and
most 81 his answers were evasiye or indi-
acct
AIR. Mccarthy was just the opposite lie
falked fully and frankly about the work
az tho association, explaining that he was
responsible for SIS organization, and de-
nate information among the packers Of the
country. 10 the end that the trade in gen
rral may be improved. lie said that the
association held only one meeting an
hually. and this was largely a social af-
Gar which closed with a dinner. The meet
Bugs OF the executive committee OF the
association were open 20 the public and
rNene attended by Representatives az the
s'ross. Mr.. Mccarthy said that all the
isrge packers were members OF the Rsso-
station, but they had no more voice I'm its
shairs than the small ones.
Also Blame Pure Feed Law.
An interesting feature OF Mr.. McCarthy's
sestimony was his statement that the meat
snspectiOn law has been a factor in increas-
ang tho cost % meat. AS a result OF this
Jaw. Mr.. Mccarthy said, about six hundred
hackers have gone out OF the business OF
rlanghtering cattle for sale .n interstate
commerce. They preferred 20 give up their
1nierstate business rather than subject
sheir affairs 10 inspection by government
uficiRls. These concerns are combining
Ehemselves 20 intrastate business. Mr.. Nc
Cnrthy said he thought tie meat inspec-
sion Law had been enacted for political rea-
cons. but Il has proved 20 he IN the public
sntenest There was no doubt. ne said, that
slaughtered by packers who did not do an
snterstate business. and he suggested that
- would he in the public interest II an
packing concerns were required 10 be in
spected by state or federal officials. Ac-
cOrding 10 Mr. Mccarthy, the annual loss
nf cattle condemned under the meat inspec-
zion law is from 10000 10 saO00.eoo. He
bad given this subject careful study, he
tsid, and was convinced that the inspection
Saw increased the cost OF meat products 10
Ehe packers about one-fourth OF cent a
pound. Naturally the packers had added
this cost 10 their fiNcd charges. and the
consumer paid IL. but he was getting more
wholesome article than he was able 10
buy before The law was enacted.
Iu reply 10 q question by Senator Smoot.
the witness said in Is not a fact that Ameri-
.sn meat Is sold abroad al a lower price
shan In this country. The price IS always
lllher En- London than IN Now York. he
said. recent market quotation showed
t.e contrary. but this was due 40 the fact
shat The London price was the wholesale
price. while the figures quoted for New
AorE showed the retail price.
Senator clarke. AZ Arkansas. wanted 10
know if the big packers were not in a
""iubiua ion 10 control prices. Nr Nc
farthy said he felt reasonably sure they
Oore mo-. lfe was convinced. lie said. that
combination ~ thai kind could not live q
N,eek. because Il the competition Of the
smaller packers. TIE said he thought the
NeW Jersey officials were on q wrong track
g. their efforts 10 show combination be-
sveen the biz packers.
ar. Robe said the pa -kers found il hard
g. make any profit on account 81 the high
rost 81 livestock. we have 10 paw the
srioe asked FOR livestock" ne said. and I
shink most of the benefits % the present
high prices ~ meats are derived hv the
farmers"
To reply 10 cues i0n as 10 how no ac-
Eounted FOR the great increase i'm the cost
- pork Mr.. Robe said il was due largely
90 decrease Ia the number ~ hogs raised
snd an increase in the population A wear
$50 tho price OF hogs was s. - p hundred.
- hereas tire present price is SO So This in
srease ~ - per cent made II necessary for
she packers 10 raise their price. and the re-
Eailers had 10 make corresponding raise.