Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-01-27
HUNDREDS SIGN
PLEDGE TO BAR
H|GH-PR|CEO MEAT
Factory Workers Wax Enthusi-
astic Over Boycott and Flock
to Join Abstainers.

Names by the hundreds are being
signed to the petitions asking for Il
boycott on meat, which are being cir
culated through the factories. This un
official boycott is spreading like wild
fire and promises to accomplish as
much, or more, Than the labor organi-
cation might have done with an official
boycott.
In every factory where the petitions
made their appearance today workmen
eagerly signed them, and the percent
age of those who refused was always a
very small one. 1t is said proprietors
and foremen in the shops seemed to be
as enthusiastic over the movement as
were the rest of the men, and gladly
permitted the circulation of the petit
tons.
The petitions read; 1--WE, the under
signed, vigorously protest against the
enforced high prices of food commodi-
ties, particularly meat, and we hereby
pledge ourselves to abstain from at
ing meat for thirty days or more, or
until such tirpe as the price of meat
ecomes normal again."
The indignation of consumer and re-
tail dealers alike seems to be focused
IN those interests which are enabled
to hold foodstuffs in the cold storage
houses until the highest market price
is reached.
Declaring that the situation is be-
coming acute. meat dealers throughout
the city are prompt to admit that
the continual refusal to buy on the
part of h public must eventually
lead to a big drop in prices. Although
several wholesale houses have reduced
their prices a few cents, the retailers
still continue to sell at high prices.
They give as an explanation that the
wholesalers are reducing their prices
simply because of the popular indigna-
ton, n say that when the movement
subsidies they will again jump their
prices to the old figures.
Calls Association n Trust.
In speaking of the high prices of
other staple goods IA local man long
identified with the wholesale grocery
business threw some light on the cause
Of the continued high prices OF gro
c~eries, butter. Eggs and other staples.
He characterized the National Whole
sale Dealers Association as a trust.
Just as illegal as any other trust ever
dared to be- He outlined in detail
the methods by which the association
maintains and boosts the price of gro
ceries.
over so per cent. of the general out
put in this country is controlled direct
]y by the members of the National
Wholesale Groeers' Association" he
said. a n they manipulate the prices
OF the various f~oodstuffs to suit them
selves. They have gotten their system
down so fine that producers and manu-
facturers are to follow their dictates.
With eggs and butter and other neces-
stiles this combine or trust has all but
cornered the supply.
They sell to the retailer on his
pledge that he will sell for a certain
price.
IF, when he receives his order. he
cuts his prices below those set by the
association he is placed on what is
known as the black list n he IAN
not buy again from members of the as
ISOLATION.
1T is not the retailers that are get
ting the enormous profits that are now
being gained. but this combine, which
is generally known as the Grocery
Trust "
Labor Men Give Views.
Terrence j.. Kennedy, of the National
Steam Filters Union No. 40, said: 1.-THE
only solution that l can see for the
high prices of f~oodstuffs. is a law that
will prohibit the storing OF foodstuffs
in cold storage houses for more than
sixty days. That will, in my opinion,
prevent the cornering of the market
in foodstuffs."
William II. Wylie, of the Painters
Union, said Anything in the way of
stopping the storing of foodstuffs in
the cold storage houses will go a long
way to solve the high prices for the
necessities of life. A law enacted to
prohibit the storing Of foodstuffs more
than ninety days would, l believe. put
a stop to the high prices. OF course,
the cold storage people and those who
are making thousands of dollars by the
storing of goods would fight the mat
ter, but 1t would be a reasonable law,
as it would give those concerned a
chance to get a fair return for the
money that they invested. abe or
CARNATIONS should lead the way in this
matter, because it is a question that
every member of them is interested in.
las well as every person who is affecte l
by the high prices of foodstuffs."
William ]. Brennan. of the Stationary
Firemen's Union, said that while he
did not believe that much good results
would be obtained in boycotting meat,
yet the plan to restrict the storing of
foodstuffs for more than sixty or nine
" days would be of a great benefit, as
it would cheaper prices of foodstuffs
without delay and put an end to the
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