Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1913-05-13

farmers and ranchmen both in the
corn belt and in the range section of
the west are establishing breeding
herds, generally on a small scale. On
the Chicago market, May 5, 1913, the
highest price paid for beef cattle was
more than 81 less than the highest
price prevailing in September, October
and November, 1912.
The result of the free admission
of meats from other surplus countries
would be, first of all, to discourage
those who have just embarked in the
live stock business or who contemplate
doing So Cows and calves would again
be thrown upon the market from all
parts of the country, and if prices
were forced to the level of Argentina
beef or Australian mutton the business
of stock raising would be so unprofit
able that this country would soon
cease to produce its own meat. The
result of this would be disastrous, not
only as directly diminishing the in
come Of the live stock producer but
indirectly a. destructive of the fertility
of the soil of thousands of stock farms.
Many of the breeders and feeders o.
the corn belt are stocked up with high
priced breeding and feeding stock ana
any pronounced depression in prices
would cause tremendous financial loss
to them.
The American packers. Armour.
Swift and Morris each have large
plants in Argentina. They handle
thirty-nine per cent of the export
trade of South America. Two of them
are building large plants in Urugay
Swift & Co. are now building a plant
in Brisbane, Queensland. There are
now three plants in Canada operated
by these same American packers (see
consular reportS).
In special agents series, No. 43, of
the bureau Of manufacturers of the de-
partment of commerce and labor, De
cember Is. 1910, is stated: Chicago
meat companies entered this field CAR
gentina) only seven years ago, but
have already attained such a position
that they are a decided if not a dom
mating Influence in the progress of the
trade and control of prices
The American packers are the only
concerns which have distributing
agencies in this country and are the
only companies in a position to i'm
port meat. The proposition that to
place meat on the free list would re-
suit in a curbing of the so-called beef
trust is therefore preposterous. The
big packers are Strengthening a less
percentage of the total slaughter in
this country than ten years ago. What
ever control they have over the prices
in this country would be increased in
stead of 1essened by free meats.
1.-The capacity of the United States
for the production of live stock has
not been reached. The present output
could probably be doubled Remunera-
tive prices will bring this about. I'm
profitable prices viii result in a de-
creased production. on the prosper
ity of the agricultural and live stock
Industries depend the real progress and
prosperity of the nation. To transfer
a part of the business of furnishing
meat and other food for this nation to
other countries will seriously injure
our agricultural industry and disturb
not only domestic conditions here but
our international trade balance as
well.
I'VE favor an equal duty on meat
and 1--we stock and that duty should not
be less than fifteen per cent ad val
orem in order to be fair and equitable
;" the live stock ana farming inter
ests of this country"
In conclusion difference is made to
the brief of S. H Cowan, attorney for
the American National Live Stock as
sociation, which was filed with the
ways and means committee of the
house last January.