Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-24
WHY THE PRICE OF AMERICAN
BEEF is SO HIGH At HOME

The manager of Atlanta hotel points out the
interesting fact that in London the highest quota
tons for dressed beef are thirty per cent cheaper
than in home markets. This circumstance be-
doubly surprising when it is remembered that
England produces little no beef but imports the
bulk of it's supply from the United States
and the Argentine Republic. And have this
anomalous situation: The London consumer gets
steak, cut from COW raised in this country, far
cheaply than the man who breakfasts or
dimes in America.
The hotel men have rightly concluded that in
such state of affairs there is something radically
unjust and they have hit upon the one practical
means of relief by urging that the high tariff beef
be removed
The International Stewards Association after
thorough inquiry, declares that the present high
prices of beef due not to any natural laws of sup
ply and demand, but chiefly to manipulation of the
market by special interests More cattle was raised
in the United States last year than before The
farmers and stockmen made no more profit, than in
gone by. IT, then, there is beef available
and if the producers prices practically un-
changed, how does it happen that the cost to the
consumer is so exorbitantly high?
An answer is found in the fact that the packing
combines are today selling American beef in Lon
don in competition with the comparatively low prices
which there prevail. If they can pay the ocean
freights and then compete with the English
dealer what logical excuse remains for the excess
of thirty per cent which the American buyer must
pay?
England gets cheap beef, despite the fact that it
does not produce it's supply simply because it is
free from the tariff wall that hens in the United
States
If our own ports were open, as England's are, to
the producers of the world, we should enjoy an
equal advantage with British cousins.
If the unfair protection" which the Government
now throws around the beef trusts were abolished,
this item in the high of living would certain
ly be reduced.
If the Interests that now sell their products in
London at London prices, were taken from under
the Governments patronage and placed upon the
square basis of competition in this country they
are abroad, they could longer juggle markets
to suit themselves. ..1s ..-.
The effects of the tariff on beef are typical Of
the high tariff as a whole The average family and
the average individual are taxed upon hundreds Of
articles of daily for the benefit of giant combina
TONS This is a matter that comes home to mems
business and bosoms" It is this that render harder
and harder for the people as a whole to make their
earnings and their common necessities meet. And
it is a nationwide recognition Of this evil that is
turning the American public to the Democratic party
as the one hope of relief from excessive tarin
burdens.
The Republican party stands where 1t has always
stood this dominant issue; it would continue its
policy of protecting special interests that they
may go manipulating prices they choose.
The Third party would go further still and legal
ize the monopolies that already exist.
The Democratic party stands squarely for tarir
revision that shall be, Woodrow Wilson expressed
it, steadily and unhesitatingy downward"