The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-02
No Money in Feeding at Present
Prices Of Grain, They Say.
BLAME THE PACKERS.
Stock Will Be Allowed to Re-
main in the Feed Lots.
Ask for Thorough Investigation
by Agricultural Department.


of this district. which was generally
attended the following resolutions
condemning the meat boycott were
unanimously adopted:
That there is but living profit in
the present business of feeding cattle
and hogs at their present prices. Most
of the feeders of stock in this county
are purchasers of corn and hay, and
therefore feeding must be considered
from the standard of the present
prices. With the prices of corn at
60 to 20 cents per bushel and nav at
SIS to 81 per ton, which are the pre-
vailing prices here, we can not add to
the original carcass of a beef for less
than $12 per hundred and that ex-
elusive of the work in caring for such
stock.
It has long been principle of feed
ers of hogs that it must be an ex-
tremely thrifty bunch of hogs and
favorable weather to add ten pounds
of flesh to the original carcass OF a
hog for every -bushel of corn con-
sumed. Taking into consideration the
keeping of the producing stock, such
as the males and females which must
be considered in the production of the
young which falls far below. it is a
fully demonstrated fact that not more
than eight pounds of flesh can be pro-
duced on hogs per bushel Of corn, and
where this rate has been extended by
colleges and experimental stations they
have had the best of pastures and
have given greater care than the or
binary feeder and stock man can give.
Breeders Enter Protest.
We therefore condemn those that
have entered into a boycott in the
eastern part of the state. joining
unions, resolving not to eat meat. I'M
less they never expect to be able to
eat meat again, until they have found
and determined the cause of the pres
ant oh nf hnltaU0
that those who Join such unions
should first find out where the injus-
tice lies. if any, and strike first at the
offenders.
There are some who are not able
to eat meat at its present prices. and
to those we extend our sympathy, but
believe they will ultimately lessen the
production of meats to such an ex-
tent that it is a grave question if the
time will ever come when the pro-
Queer will produce the beef and pork
for the market again in sufficient
quantity to supply the demand with
the unfair treatment of those in fault.
Blame Railroads and Packers.
If there is a wrong in the transport
tation of the cattle and hogs and
their products to the consumer, or I'M
| fair profits taken by the packing
houses or retailers, those things should
| be adjusted, but under their present
form the effect must fall either on
| int CONSUMER OF upon the
as the feeder and stock man is en-
| tirely at the mercy of the packing
house companies at the markets. while
the consumers are at the mercy of the
retailers. We must have profits on our
production or we must curtail our pro-
auctions to our own consumption. If
| that latter time ever comes we deplore
the sad condition that men, women
and children who desire meat can not
have it.
| If q "a No Wi Ha cd
to send to market the stock that is
now in the feed lots and take our loss
| if prices are reduced by the present
| boycott.
StOclmen and Farmers Liberal Buyers.
| We fully realize that the Kansas
| farmers and stockmen are the most
| liberal purchasers of manufactured
| articles together with the Iuxuries and
| necessaries of life when they are allow
| ed to reap the reward of their toll but
remove from them the legitimate fruits
| of their efforts, their purchasing ability
must and will be limited to only the
minimum things of their needs
We therefore resolve that we will
curtail the production of both beef and
pork all that it is within our power so
to do, until the present boycott has
| been fully settled. And that we will
not place any more cattle in our feed
lots until prices will warrant a small
profit on the matured product as modi-
we fully realize that those most
| vitality interested in this subject are
the producers and the consumers and
| therefore join in the demand with the
consumer, for thorough investigation
of the present high price of meat, by a
national committee, under the super
vision of the secretaries of agriculture
| and commerce and labor. That Justice
may prevail this investigation should
cover a period of five or more years, the
transportation of stock to the market
and the products to the consumer, the
packing houses and prices fixed By
| them, the retail dealer and his means
of competition in prices.
Claim That Packers Are Unfair
And we further ask that a law be
passed preventing packing house COM
panies from discriminating in favor If
or against different points in the United
States, in prices charged for their pro-
ducts. whereby an honest competition
in retail prices may be had. Meat
should be sold by the packers at the
States plus the freight added at the
same price. This would prevent the
packers from destroying the Compel
ton Of local butchers. Thousands d
local retailers have been forced out 81
business in the last few years by the
packers by an unfair discrimination III
prices until they have obtained full con
troll of the market of a certain point
and the consumers of that point are
forced to make up the prices being sac
| rificed at other competing points.
We therefore resolve, that a copy ot
these demands and resolutions be for
| warded to Charles F. Scott, chairman
of the committee on agriculture in con-
gress. asking that he act in accordance