New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-02
FOR CHEAPER FOOD
Grand Jury Blames Cold Stor-
are for High Prices.

Gold storage plants are the means where
bv large corporate Interests control the
market and dictate prices" was one of the
declarations OF the Hudson County Grand
jury IN the presentment handed to Judge
Blair a. the courthouse, Jersey City, yes
terday afternoon.
This ia the grand jury that indicted the
National Packing Company and the sub
sdiary companies and the directors OF
each. Its term has almost expired, and IL
urges that the succeeding grand jury shall
continue the investigation. The presentTuent
recommends drastic legislation to prevent
the exaction OF exorbitant prices for food
stuffs. The presentment says:
at the present time there are no laws
reasonably regulating the cold storage Of
food products. As a result. these products
can be and are kept in cold storage for
an indefinite length OF time. irrespective
of the effect of such storing upon the arti-
Giles as foodstufs. This is one feature Of
cold storage methods which demands i'm
mediate correction
Cold storage plants are the means
whereby large corporate interests control
the market and dictate prices. If the pub
lie will not pay the prices asked the food
is kept in cold storage until the market is
depleted and the public must then pay the
price demanded or go without eggs, meat
and poultry
This condition can be remedied By laws
which will restrict the time for which these
food products may be kept in cold storage.
The result would be that instead of keep
ing those products stored away. and thus
depicting the market and enhancing the
price they would be put into the market.
and as consequence prices would be
lower
There may be considerable divergence OF
opinion as to the effect of cold storage
upon meats and poultry from the health
point Of view, but we are convinced that
the practice of freezing these foodstufs, par
ticuary poultry, Withdrawing them from
cold storage for sale. with its incident
thawing process and then, upon failure Of
a market, returning them to cold storage
for later use is fraught witt the grayest
public danger.
This feature of cold storage methods
requires serious attention because OF it's
extensive bearing upon the health Of our
citizens.
LAS the inexperienced purchaser is often
unable to detect the difference between
fresh poultry and the cold storage article
by mere inspection, he is not made &C
quainted with what is undeniabIy a fact.
that in buying the cold storage product he
is paying for from to IA per cent OF
water. This condition results from the
thawing process accomplished by INNER
sion in water.
1T is therefore respectfully suggested
that law compelling the vendors of all
food products coming from cold storage
plants plainly and clearly 20 label them
such would at least apprise the pub
lie OF the character of the goods urder con-
tenplated purchase or offered for sale. In
addition to this the date of placing or re-
placing such products in cold storage
should be indicated in the mos: practicable
manner.
1.-The practical effect of such a law, we
are convinced. would be to materially
lower the price of cold storage articles in
the market and have a tendency to lessen
In storage.
we have also been engaged In thor
ough investigation of the conditions under
which meat is shipped to. stored and sold
in this county, but have been hampered
in cur investigation and unable TO complete
the same by reason Of the refusal of GER
tain corporations to produce for our inspec-
ton books and records pertaining to the
matter.
I'VE therefore recommend that this in
Yestigatfon. which We deem of pressing i'm
pcrtance TO the public. be continued by
the incoming grand jury