The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-23
THE MEAT BOYCOTT.

If the quick spread of a movement
were the guarantee of its success, the
meat boycott would be won before
next Sunday. The boycottfis spread
ing at q most amazing rate. The for
nal resolution of some thousands of
Cleveland people to eat no meat so
long as the prices stand has been ta-
ken UP elsewhere with wonderful en-
thusiasm. Already the idea has been
approved in thirteen States; about So
600 butchers looked in disnay at their
tills last night; about 100000 peo-
pie will sit down to meatless dinners
to-day. And still the movement goes
on. No man can predict where it will
end.
| Every meat-eater wants this COM
modify for himself and for the gen
| eral public at as low rate as posi-
! BILE. While he enjoys u Juicy, rare
| well-browned outlet, or choice French
| chops, or, best of all, the unexcellable
Joys of a Smithfeld ham. naturally
enough he does not wish to so into
bankruptcy to get it or to SEQ his
follows so there. Hence the cry is
Godspeed to the boycotters and a
hearty Amen to their resolutions.
But it cannot be denied that there
arc serious difficulties in their way.
There arc at least three mountains
between the hardy boycotters and the
and pork can be had for little more
than the asking. The, chances are that
the boycottors will DO winded in
crossing these mountains.
The old question of supply and de-
mand cannot be gotten rid OF, no mat
ter how great the enthusiasm of the
meatless. AS every ono Knows the
breaking UP of the Western ranges IN
1906 and, the high price of corn have
seriously reduced the available sup
ply of meat. If this is really respon-
sible for the situation, it will require
such boycott as has never been seer
to bring down prices. IT, on the Other
hand, the greed of the monopolies anc
the limited capacity of the retrigerat
Ing plants is to blame for high meat
rates, something may be accomplished
The second difficulty to the success:
of the boycott is the absence Of an,
| unifying force. All the previous Anne
| rican boycotts, from the old Colonia
| non-importation agreements to ths
anti-Northern boycott OF 1860 have
| failed for this very reason. We note
! however, that organized labor Is en-
] listing. If the unions generally VII
take up the plan, the boycott will re
4 celve definite scope and a powe
that may enable it to break the mar
ket.
4 But the third difficulty is even NOR
perplexing Suppose the boycotter
!. stop eating meat. What then? Ne
!, turally. since they must eat, they wi
h look for the best substitutes. Bean
peas, soups. eggs and honey will
, In great demand. Before many day
- =
the demand for these~staples will e:
, coed the available supply. and tbs
too will soar. OF course, If some Ell
terprising soul comes along, and give
, us a substitute that can be had
plenty. chances of the boycott wi
j greatly improve. Otherwise the Agl
will be long one. Many a man vi
grow hungry for steak before It
r won.
HIGHER FEES FOR LIQUOR DEAL
u ERS.
y The Timcs-Dispatch is glad to g
20 that, the Senate Finance Commit
o. has acted tavorahly on the Holt bi
Which proposes to raise the licen
sll taxes OF various CLASSES of liquor DEF
er ersMttroughout the State, With t
-r- comparative details of the business
of these various classes we do not pi
IN n tnp,a rl,e 49,.