Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1910-02-17
High Prices OF Meat.


notice. There is not so much de-
sire, however among them to learn
the true reason for the conditions
now existing, and to correct them
as to figure out some way by which
each one may prove for ITSELF an
alibl, and leave the others to fight
the case or pleade guilty as they
each one see fit.
During this uneasiness among the
animals, the News is receiving much
gratuitous advice, as to the cause of
the high prices and the remedy
therefor. Among the different in
terests so far reporting with advice
there is apparent an undercurrent of
sentiment which points to an effort
to be made to saddle what ever of
loss there may be to follow this agi-
tatior- on to the farmer, the only
class not protected by a trust.
From the Lee Live Stock Commits
sion we received the following sta
tistics showing, shortages, either in
recent receipts for FIVE central re-
ceiving points or for the whole coun-
try. Hogs 1888, 900, cattle 333,
900, sheep ass, 900 to off set it,
leaving a shortage of 800, 900, 900
pounds of meat. In addition they
give the government estimates of
the shortage for the whole country.
The statement is followed by the
enquiry, if this does not show that
the whole is a result OF the we'll
known law of supply and demand.
In letter they ask us to send
them a marked copy of the paper if
we use the statement.
Our opinion is that the high price
Of live stock for slaughter is the re-
suit Of the so called law of supply
and demand. We do not think
that the present prices for products
Of the slaughter house is governed
by that law. TO support that
opinion we will give only one of
many similar cases either coming
under our own observation, or
noticed in the newspapers. A farm
er having fat COW for sale could
get an offer of only $1,000 for her.
He butchered her himself, sold two
thirds of the peef reserving the tai
low and selling the hide. For that
port of the beef sold he received
$3.50. Or this COW brought as a
slaughtered product more than twice
what he was offered for hef on foot,
and the tallow and one-third of the
beef he had to pay dividends on
watered stock on the farm with.
That is not fair sample of the diff
ference of price between the live
animal and the price of the beef in
the market. But the packing hous-
es have an added margin of profit
in the sell of what is now the farmer
offal. If the man with the poll ak
at the packing house makes sure
shot. so that the animal does not
bawl after he strikes there is no loss
Of any thing, hide, hair, hornes,
loofs, tallow intestlnes, all are
worked up into proftrble products.
But the argument is made that the
animal costs certain amount at the
house, therefor the beef
must bring certain price without
'eference to what may be obtained
or the by products.
A few years ago when the beef
rust siezed the whole meat problem
rom the range to the tanned hides,
he southwest was full of cattle,
Vhich it had taken from three to
our years to produce. Settlers
'ere crOwding the ranges. The
rust arguing that for the two potent
easons, to wit that the stock was at I
he age when it must be sold or held I
I q loss and narrowing Of the range,
ccentuated the necessity to sell {
'ut ON the screws. Cattle which by
he price Of beef and finished leather
hould have sold at Kansas City,
or $as 90 to $1,000 per head, sold
less than half that, 50 that Kan I
ls City paper reported that = COW /
q 2 q q