The Washington herald., 1912-06-28
MEATS ARE HIGHER
THAN EVER BEFORE
Dealers Claim sky-hmit Prices Are
Due to Scarcity Of
Cattle. @
EGGS AND BUTTER UP, TOO

Prices Of meats IN the local markets are
higher than they have been in years, and
there Is at present no possibility OF
drop. Wholesalers claim they are hard
.ly paying expenses, and many OF the re-
tail meat dealers declare they are losing
on their sales.
There Is a slim possibility that the
prices will decline slightly during the
latter part Of July, but this drop viii
be only temporary, and shortly after the
prices will again advance. The cause
Of the high prices Is said to be the
scarcity Of cattle. The supply Of beef
the dealers claim is growing smaller
every year.
''whiIe there has been only a slight
advance IN the prices during the last
two weeks" said q well-known dealer
in Center Market yesterday afternoon,
the rates now are unusually high. There
has been q noticeable advance during the
last few months, and the difference be-
tween the prices now and q year ago Is
appalling.
Says Beef Il Scarce.
Every meat dealer Will admit that the
Jump in prices is due to the scarcity Of
beef Farmers no longer ind It profitable
to raise cattle II is more advantageous
to them to raise corn and sell their crops
in the big markets throughout the coun-
try. Besides, the cities are extending
their limits into the rural sections,
causing the price OF land TO advance.
As a result the surplus land which form
erly was used for pastures is now rent
ed for agricultural purposes.
II see no relief in sight. From the
present outlook the prices will not come
down in a hurry. II any change occurs,
It will probably be an advance. The
supply Of beef will probable become
more plentiful during the latter part OF
July, causing a slight decline in prices.
This will be short-lived. however, and
soon the old prices will again go into
effect.
Never So High Before.
I never knew prices TO be so high be-
fore. Last year beef wholesaled at be-
tween and cents a pound. It is SELL
ing now for l3 cents. Wholesalers are
getting 1s1k cents for top cattle
Round steak is retailing for S cents.
The price Of sirloin is fuctuating between
5 and s cents a pound. Ribs OF steak
are so high that but few retail butchers
can afford to sell them. The prices are
In the neighborhood OF IS cents Beef
tongue is selling for IS cents a pound.
The price Of lamb is between % and 3
cents, and mutton Is selling for between
Is and IS cents.
Butchers are asking 3 cents for hind
quarters OF lamb. and porterhouse steak
is being sold at between 30 and 3 cents.
The price Of pork remains about the
same-2O cents a pound. Between 20 and
25 cents is asked for rib roast Loin
chops are bringing between . and 30
cents, and between 30 and IS cents is
being asked for rib chops.
Butter Is Higher.
The price Of butter is about a cent
higher than it was several weeks ago.
II is about ? cents lower, however. than
the price during the corresponding week
last year. Butter Is retailing at between
80 and s. cents a pound, and wholesalers
are asking between Is and . cents for
It The price is not likely to fuctuate
to any extent this summer unless an
abundance OF dry. hot weather is eXpe-
rienced. One dealer said yesterday aft
ernoon that the drop OF cents in the
price Of butter since last year is due
to the plentifulness of grass and milk
in the West.
Many persons can't AFFORD to buy but
ter now" he added. The sales OF but
ter are falling OF gradually, and per
sons are purchasing oleomargarine in
stead. This has been one OF the impor-
tant factors in bringing about a decline
in prices"
Eggs May BE Cheaper.
The price Of eggs Is about the same
as last summer. Eggs have come down
cents in price during the last few
weeks. They were wholesalinE at q
cents. Nineteen cents is now being ask
ed. It is probable that they will come
down another cent within a short time.
after which the price will rise It is
expected that during August the retail
price will reach D cents Eggs are now
retailing at between IS and % cents.