The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-04-05
BEEF TRUST HAS new RIVAL

06k INV bwsuu I'll
San Francisco Examiner Millions of pounds of Australian
beef, mutton, pork and butter shipped to the United States in re-
figerator steamships are soon to food the markets Of this and other
American cities and lower and present high prices of meats to the
consumer.
The Union Steamship Company has announced that an order
has just been placed in England for the construction of four large
refrigerator carriers which are to be used for transporting frozen
meats from Australia to San Francisco.
Louis Schweitzer of Schweitzer & Company of this city sailed
for Sydney on the liner Tahiti four weeks ago and is now in Aus
traia endeavoring to close a contract for all of the available re-
frigerating space on the three liners of the Union Company now
operating to this city.
According to advoes received from Sydney yesterday, Sch
weitzer expects to bring into San Francisco an enormous amount OF
meats, especially mutton, which. is to be supplied not only to the
local consumers, but also to many other parts of the State.
Others Preparing to Ship
Expecting at least a lowering of the present tariff on meats ad-
mitted into this country, Swift, Armour q Company are now prepar-
ing for the construction of a mammoth slaughter house and freezing
plant at Brisbane, Australia, from which they will ship to the United
States thousands of frozen sheep. hogs and cattle weekly
In addition to the meats, the American Company also will
handle butter, which has been shipped to the markets of Great
Britain for many years and has recently practically driven out the
popular Danish commodity as a competitor.
According to P. E. Quinn, special representative of the govern
ment of New South Wales in this city, hundreds of the cattle kings
of Texas and other Southern and Western States have signifed
their intention of going to northern Australia and going into the
cattle business upon a bigger scale than ever before attempted.
Government to Take Charge
Already concessions have been arranged for the taking over of
vast portions of the more than 10000 square miles Of virgin ter
rtory which is adapted to the raising of millions of sheep and cattle
annually.
To prevent the possibility of the meat trust taking over the
vast production of meats and butter of Australia and charging the
consumer high prices and paying the producer low prices, the com
monwealth is arranging to take charge of the Strengthening, freezing
and sale of these products upon a national scope and keep prices
upon al even basis.
The largest killing, freezing and packing plant in the world
will soon be in course of construction at one of the seaports OF
northern Australia. in which sheep, hogs and cattle will be handled
for the markets of the world.
GAIL of this is made possible on account of a recent ruling is
sued from Washington" said Quinn. "The United States Depart
ment of Agriculture has decided that the inspection stamp placed
upon meats by the inspectors of Australia may be admitted into the
United States.
Meat Buyers Are Eager
1.-THE effect of this has proved quite satisfactory, for we have
learned that the American meateaters are ready and anxious to
purchase the meats of Australia. Every vessel of the Union line
arriving here has brought consignments of meats, which are being
eaten right here in San Francisco by persons who doubtless believe
they are partaking of the American product.
ga consignment of mutton and lamb shipped in on the Moana
was sold Wholesale at the rate of 7 IL cents a pound, this after
payment of duty. Some of this lamb sold to the consumer for
80 cents a pound. This proves that somebody is charging a big
profit.
"One hundred and fifty ships of the refrigerator type are taking
frozen meats from Australia. Many of these soon will begin to
land their cargoes here at San Francisco. This should result in a
lowering of the price.
"When the Panama canal is opened for commerce you may ex-
pect a big population from Europe, and if nothing is done about
the meat situation the price would go so high that but few persons
could afford the luxury.
Others May Follow Example
"Mr. Schweitzer understood the situation when he left for Aus
tralia, and his action will result in many others following his ex-
ample.
"The government estimates show that there are in Australia at
this time over 100000, 900 sheep and a large number of cattle and
hogs The number is being increased rapidly, and there will be
little limit to the efforts of the farmers to increase the number when
the new markets are opened.
"Australia is feeding the American soldiers both in the Philip