Gilpin observer., 1910-01-27
THE MEAT BOYCOTT.
Local Butchers Interviewed and op-
inions Received Relative to the
Effect Strike Will Have on the
Price Of This Commodity.

Price Of This Commodity.
or course, the principal topic of
Is the boycott which has been insti-
tuted against the meat combine,
and which is rapidly spreading to all
quarters OF the continent. The Obser-
yer, in keeping with the newspapers
throughout the country, interviewed
the local butchers to get their opin-
ions as to who is responsible for the
high prices being charged for meats.
To them the price received for their
product does not seem high in COM
parison to what meat sold for in Gil
pin county decade or two ago. But
the present prevailing prices they at
tribute to the farmer, whose grain
and feed is worth considerably more
than it was some years ago. The
local butchers also contend that the
! tastes in the meat line than they
were several years ago and require
the choicest Of cuts. They claim the
demand for meat far exceeds the pro-
duction and that while the consump-
tion is growing every year, the num-
Der of cattle raised is getting less.
This they say is not only due to the
high price of grain, but can be at
| tributed to the rapid settling up of
land that was formerly used as
ranges.
AS to the effect of the boycott, the
Central butchers say that while it
doubtless will put a crimp into the
| retailer and may cause a temporary
reduction of price in meats, an ad-
vance in price must follow. One ?
cleaver knight sees the probability
Of the local butchers being benefited
should the boycott become effective
! here. He says the ab3tinence from
meat eating a month or two would
! give patrons Of the local shops an
opportunity to catch up on their
/ back accounts. q,
! Another dealer who was interview.
ed proved a ready talker in discus
sing the meat situation. He said:
| THE exuberance of press agitation
and sensational articles about exor-
bitant prices Of meats appear ridicu-
lous and void of veracity to the OPT
nion of men who profess to know.
! Figures and facts show that meats
necessaries of life have; all farm
products are bringing enhanced prices
and especially has the demand
increased for the choicest qualities.
1t is manifest to the observer that
the demand for fancy priced cuts Of
meat has increased, 3ence, increas-
ed in price; and the prices on cheap
er cuts remain unchanged and the de-
mand proportionately decreasedJwhile
the bovine carcass is slightly higher
to the retailer.
1T has become necessary that all
retailers do larger volume of busi-
ness to realize a profit sufficient to
exist and larger capital to make
the same profit that was formerly
accomplished to smaller volume of
business.
'It is an incontrovertible fact that
the public regardless of their capabi-
lity and income satiate their many
desires and will purchase the highest
priced cuts of meats, notwithstanding
the fact that the cheaper cuts are
Of equal quality in lusciousness and
even more succulent If properly cook
ed and prepared.
People are not content with the
common foods that were the whole
some viands universally utilized and
relished a few years ago, when near
ly all edibles were home cookery, the
culinary skill Of the housewife; the
present conveniences of prepared
foodstuffs, food in can and glass
were not in assuetude.
THE belief Is that modern living
is grossly extravagant; the desires,
epicurean appetite and unrestrained
safety are not commensurate with
the purse and good Judgment, the in
dulgent appetite for luxuries and
toothsome dainties is the cause OF
the prevailing increased cost of liv-
ing, our wants and having them
are exceeding the possibilities of the
pocket book.
Modern habits with the many in
novations OF amusements. the fashion
able dress with the frequence of new
styles, the beautiful homes, a piano,
luxuriantly furnished. modernly
equipped is quite contrast to the