The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-18
JOKER IN FREELIsT
PACKERS
Farmers Will Resent Provision
Which Gives Permission To Import
Beef and Control Prices.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 1S.-
Willingly or unwittingly, the Demo-
Gratis of the house have placed joker
in the farmers free list they propose
to pass this week which is giving Pres
ident Taft good deal of concern and
which will be resented by farmers
from Ohio TO Colorado when they un-
derstand the situation, says John Cal
Ian OLoughlin In a dispatch TO the
Chicago Tribune.
Believing II would be popular
move, Congressman Underwood, chair
man OF the ways and means committee,
and his associates included among the
articles to be admitted free OF duty the
following:
Beef, veal, mutton, lamb, pork and
meats of all kinds, fresh, salted, pick
led, dried, smoked, dressed or undress-
ed prepared or preserved In any man
ner; bacon, hams, shoulders, lard, lard
compounds and lard substitutes, and
sausage and sausage meats"
At first blush this provision would
seem to strike a heavy blow at the
beef trust, since 1t would throw open
the doors OF the United States to for
eign meats and assure reasonable
prices at home to the consumer.
AS matter of fact, investigation
has established that the provision is
really in the interest of the packers
and will do considerable damage to
the farmers. II will enable the pack
ers TO import carcasses from Argen-
tina, Australia, and New Zealand, and
thus control the prices they pay for
American steers, lambs, and muttons.
The consumer Wilt enjoy no reduction
In price from the admission of meats
free of duty, while the farmer, who
constitutes the backbone of the pros
perity of the country, may find himself
forced 10 sell to the packers at what
ever price they may choose to give.
AS Is we'll known, the packers are in
dependent OF the tariff They ceased
some years ago to hope for reciprocity
treaties and devoted themselves TO
the establishment of plants abroad
After invading England they found
their investment imperiled as a result
of Argentine competition and TO Offset
ii they acquired plants in the South
American republic
Consequently II free meat be author
lied they will be able to ship directly
from Argentina to the United States,
and the only cost involved in the trans
action will be the cost of transporta-
ton.
Water Haul Not So Expensive.
Because Of the long distance the
general impression prevails that ocean
freights would make such action pro-
hibitive. AS matter of fact, the
water haul from Buenos Aires to New
York would not be anything like as
expensive as rail rates from the west
to New York and Boston.
Several cargoes of frozen mutton
were shipped several months ago from
Argentina into New York, paying the
duty. The margin OF profit was close
on account of the duty and the ship
ments were not extended. But the ex-
pertinent demonstrated that the pack
ers have a satisfactory base of opera
tions in the South American country
for use in case the cost OF corn
should force them to pay high price
for American meat animals.
AS q result OF the action Of the gov
ernment in importing first class breed
ing stock Argentina Is producing as
fine cattle as are raised in the United
States. Argentina has climate and
soil similar to those OF this country
and will be our principal competitor In
agricultural products. Consequently 1t
would be the principal beneficiary OF
free meats.
At the same time the price Of cattle
to the packers is low because OF cheap
corn. When there was 60 and rs cent