The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1910-11-23
LOWER PRICES
OF MEATS.
DR.. Wiley Says lis Merely a De-
Iiberate Manipulation of
the Market.

Washington, Nov. 10. 3D. DR.. Harvey
w. Wiley, pure food expert of the De-
partment of Agriculture, is pessimistic
about the outlook for lower prices in
food supplies Said he today when
questioned in regard to the present fall
in the wholesale quotations of beef
and other meats:
1.-THE interests which manipulated
the prices upward have temporarily
released their hold on our Threats for
the purpose of getting fresh grip.
This so-called reduction in price of
meats is merely deliberate manipu-
lation Of the market, just as the in
crease IN prices was unjust, unreason-
able and uncalled for by conditions
prevailing throughout the country.
The prices were fictitious when they
reached the top notch because they
were forced to that high level arbitra-
rily by the interests. The alleged re-
duction also is fictitious because it is
not reduction in fact. but mere mar
ket manipulation deliberately planned
to meet the selfish ends of the interests
who have dominated the markets for
years.
'If you do not believe that the So
called reduction is fictitious go into the
markets and try to buy a pound of
beef. Developments will show that
the Interests are after some one. There
may be some independent movement
they hope to drive from cover or take
into camp. The hands Of the interests
at our threats simply got tired of hold
ing on. They have relaxed their
holding temp Jrarlly so that they may
get better and fresher grip"
Secretary OF Agriculture Wilson had
this to say in regard to the announced
reductions by the packers:
The farmer with cattle on his hands
must pay $50 a ton for his hay instead
OF $50, the price OF year ago, and
rather than do this he is sending his
cattle to market. This has caused a
flood of cattle in the Chicago market
and accounts for the sudden tumble in
prices. This tumble is abnormal and
will not be permanent. However, a
plentiful corn crop and plenty of grain
vii enable the farmer to feed freely
and we should get lower level of
prices. Lower prices are certain to
come provided that somewhere between
the farmer and the consumer there is
no combination or agreement to keep
the prices up.
Philadelphia, Nov. Wholesale
meat dealers declared today that there
had been no crease in the price of
! beef. and that there would not be any
in the near future. Most of them en-
phasized this declaration by raising
the price of beef 50 cents hundred
pounds to the retailers this morning.
This, however, did not cause a cores
ponding increase to the consumers.
The wholesalers are angry about the
statements of the packers that the
price of meat is going down, saying
that it hurt their business, while the
retailers are sore because their custo-
mers have demanded lower prices for
meat, while they have to pay more for
it than they did several weeks ago.
Pittsburg, Nov. 6.-The prices of
fres. and smoked meats in Pttsburg
today began decline and this evening
were from 10 to 20 per cent lower than
yesterday. Live hogs today sold in
Pittsburg at S.S5, against $l2 short
time ago.
Kansas City, Nov. 10 Declines of so
cents a hundred pounds in-the prices of
sheep, Is to rs cents in hogs and is to
% cents in cattle took place at the
stockyards today owing to moderately
large receipts and general confidence
that cheap corn will result in largely
increased supplies of fat stock. Buyers
for the packing houses were Indifferent
and bought no more than was needed
| for current orders.