The Washington herald., 1910-02-09
SECOND FOOD RISE
ALARMS CONGRESS
Action May Follow Challenge
of Beef BarOnS.
TRUST FIGHTER GIVES VIEWS
Vice President YeagIe, OF National
Association, Declares People Are
on Verge of Big Demonstration to
show whether IL Has Power of
seIf-controI-TO Educate Public.

Members OF Congress yesterday showed
a deep interest in the reports from Chi
cago and New York Of the advance in the
price of meat,
The attitude OF the packers OccasiOned
some surprise, for this IS the second time
within month that the beef barons have
deliberately antagOnized public opinion.
The former occasion was when the heads
Of the big packing houses gave out In
terv!ews declaring their indifference TO
the boycotts then spreading throughout
the country
Congressman are better politicians than
are the packers, and the present is con-
s!dored a poor time further 10 arouse SEN
timent already strong against the men
who control one Of the cHief food staples.
President Taft will soon take hand in
the crusade for more reasonable prices. as
II viii become q serious political question.
If the tactics Of the millionaire packers
does not radically change.
The number OF cattle received at the
big packing houses has shown but a
slight falling of. while it IS known that
the consumption Of meat has fallen or
fully % or 30 per cent Hence the only
inference is that the cold storage houses
are being filed in anticipation Of an in
creased demand after the agitation dies
down
But for the packers to raise the price
while the public Is still in an aroused state
of mind will not be conducive to a greater
demand. The condition which now exists
viii make for unrest.
YeagIe Gives Views.
Speaking OF the Increased price. J. Lynn
Yeagle, chairman OF the board Of directors
Of the National Ant-Food Trust League,
last night said:
This nation has passed beyond the
stage where the public be ID atti-
tude will win. Such q defiance Of public
opinion as is shown by the packers viii
arouse a sentiment that will crush out
all opposition, be it intrenched behind
millions as the packers are. or behind
the strongest political power in the land.
II the beef barons wish to throw down
the gauntlet 10 the American people,
they will find the people prepared. Con-
ISress is already in alarm. and the force
Of public indignation which is sure to
sweep over the land viii result in prompt
and radical action.
The National Anti-FOOd Trust League
is fighting the battle for the masses.
With the hOusehOlder5 Of the nation be-
hind il there is no question Of the out
come. The packers are adopting a policy
which in the end viii prove beneficial
to the consumers.
THE placing in COld-storage Of millions
Of pounds Of beef in the expectation Of
disposing Of it at advanced prices later
is a poor political and commercial move
This act demonstrates the necessity for
protection such as the league offers.
THE league Is carrying on a campaign
OF education. 1t IS sending out literature
on foods and their preparation. It is get
ting ready price lists showing the rela-
tive value Of various foods at present
market prices. In these lists meat does
not take first place.
"Abstaining from meat as thousands
are doing is OF great educational value.
It makes converts TO the vegetarian
ranks, It teaches Americans TO be moro
economical Less meat per capita IS
being consumed than ten years ago. and
the people are no worse off.
Congress must face the problem Of the
high cost Of living. The fact that a
Congressional election is approaching
may result in the delay Of the report OF
the investigation in that body until next
November, so as not 70 affect the No
vember results IN the meantime the
packers will have eight or ten months to
outline their campaign. But against an
aroused public they will not be able 70
adopt the same tactics which proved
successful in dealing with legislators.
"A bold front by the packers will not
have the desired result They are whis-
ting TO keep up their courage, but they
Will change their tactics ere long. Prices
viii be more reasonable and avarice will
have proved its own undolng"
Local directors Of the Anti-Food Trust
League are being named in scores of
cities and towns The campaign for food
at a reasonable price is making Roadway
in every State IN the Union. Senator
Hepburn yesterday criticised the position
Of the league. taking the view that the
league is organized TO advocate the cause
or pure food. There are laws that pro
tect the consumer against impure foot
but thus Tar the laws against trade agree
ments when relating 10 food supplies
have had little weight IN the business re-
lations OF the Chicago packers.
DR. Scharfr the president Of the Anti
Food Trust League, addressed the ladies
of the G. a. R., Circle No. ], last evening.
He pointed out the necessity for organiza-
ton in the effort to obtain reasonable
prices. Great interest was manifested in
his remarks