The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-26
BEEF PRICES ARE ABOUT TIE SAME
 AS 4 YEAR AGO Wholesale Price Has Advanced But Retail Men Have Re- tained Same Figures PORK IS MUCH HIGHER
 BECAUSE OF SCARCITY Market Men Think Stock Laws Have Had Effect in curtailine Supply
 of Locally Killed Hogs
 and Cattle.

<ACCOIuiuS lO liiC ltldii liidl hcl liltD OL Birmingham beef and it's products are selling at the same price now that they were 12 months ago and even earlier. The wholesale price is a shade higher but the price to the consumer has not been changed. Profits are simply smaller.
 Pork prices havs advanced about 20 per cent. This advance is both in wholesale and retail prices. Eggs, butter, lard, cheese and mutton have advanced. Poul- try is selling at the same price as a year ago.
 The advance in the price of pork and it's products is explained by the fact that hogs in the western markets are selling at $25O to B per 100 pounds gross more than a year ago. In Birmingham there Is practically no local supply of hogs or beef. It is claimed by some that the introduction of stock law has had con- siderable to do with the lack of local sup ply, in that the law closes the public domain to the grazing of stock and that the farmers are not yet prepared to fence enough lands for the purpose of raising stock and also that they are unable to grow the necessary feed in the immedi- ate Birmingham district.
 Still there Is a steady increase in the number of cattle, hogs and sneep brought into the markets of Birmingham every year. The total number for the year 1908 was 17,1OS. The total number in 1909 was 1972o, showing an increase of 2612. A decrease is shown In the num- Der of sheep and kids received last year over the year before, of something near 100 head of each.
 In discussing the meat situation Charles S. Baer, manager for the Holzer meat market, said: During the past F months there has been a stiff advance in the price of pork and its products such as lard, bacon, pork cuts and ham.
 ''As to beef, we are selling it and all it's products at about the same price as one year ago and even earlier. We have always charged good prices for best cuts in beef. We are charging the same prices now that we always asked. Staple beef cuts are being sold now just as they have been selling for year or more. It is true we pay some more in the whole sale market for beef, but we cannot change the price to our customers, at least until there is still further ad- vance in the wholesale price,
 J. J. Platten in the new city market said: 'I am selling beef at about the same price as a year ago. Pork pro ducts have advanced from 20 to 25 per cent in the past year. In my opinion there is more than one reason for the steady advance in the cost of living. It costs us more to do business than formerly. Rents are higher. taxes are higher, license is higher and the peo- ple expect more and better service than they used to. The people are sohools ing themselves in extravaganza and are trying to throw the responsibility for the cost on the dealers who supply them with the necessaries of life. It is true that many things are much higher than they were a year ago, but the retail dealer is not responsible. Besides his increasing necessary expenses he is re- ouired to deliver goods long distances. This is expensive and should be taken into consideration
 "The introduction of stock law has had A bad effect on the raising of meat in this section"
 w. J. Pondee, manager for Hackney & Boggan, said: We are selling beer at the same prices as year ago. For many years up to short time ago l was in the market business at Annis- ton. We were able there to get all our fresh meats from stock raisers In Cal houn and adjoining counties. We had sheep, hogs and cattle in plenty to sup ply the demand until the introduction or the stock law. Then there was a suooen cessation of the supply and three or the large packing houses have established branch houses in Anniston This was Ave years ago. Up to that time there was only one agency for & packing house in the city and that was supplied on snecial order from Birmingham. The in- troduction of the no-fence law and the high cost of feed for stock Is larsely responsible for the present high cost or living. The United States is receiving thousands of immigrants every year pe- sides the natural increase in populatlon' A great majority of this increase )oihs the ranks of the consumers. They are not producers. We must have an in crease in the production of food stuHs in this country before we may nope TOT cheaper prices"
 George w. Merritt, in the old city mar ket. expressed about the same views as the others, declaring that he is selling beef at about the same price as year ago.