The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-07-16
HIGH BEEF PROTESTS
HASTEN j. S. PROBE
Complaints Reveal Inquiry Into
Cattle Situation Has Been
in Progress Six Months.

The food Of protests pouring into the
o partment of Agriculture from all
be is of the country against the extraor-
BIZ AIRY advances in beef prices will hast
In the departments investigation Of the
|hisn cost of beef and bring a report
b. the probing committee soon, officials
81 led today.
The meat situation presents such a
bo1lplicated problem that Secretary of
agriculture Houston declined to express
n opinion as to the probable cause of
he recent soaring of beef prices until
he probing committees report has been
|nade.
Probe Begun Six Months Ago.
The investigation has been conducted
|uIetly in every part Of the country for
bout six months. The probers are
|ormer Assistant Secretary OF Ag-icul-
|ure 2. T. Galloway, DR.. H. J. Waters,
PRESIDENT Of the Kansas State Agricul-
|ural College; Prof. c. F. Curtis, dean
IL the Iowa State College; H w. Mum
lord, professor of animal husbandy, Uni
|hlef of the Bureau of Animal Industry
|f the Department of Agriculture, and
Or. 7. y. Carver, director Of the Rural
Organization Service Of the Department.
fhey are trying to get at the funda-
mental causes OF the beef shortage and
Viii reconmend a course of action for
|oiution of the problem
\ Among the reasons for the cattle
Ihortage, the probers will report that
he drought in the southwest has been
! rong factor. Last year when the corn
brcp didn't look good the farmers un-
|oa ded their cattle. The scarcity caused
by this condition vas increased by a
Der dency on the part Of farmers to
hold their cattle this year with the
BORN crop prospects so bright.
Argentine Beef Restriction.
Many kilograms have been received
It the Agriculture Department during
FEDERAL restrictions on the sale of Ar
ger tine beef in the United States. The
bepartment is replying to all these
|eleg rams that the only restriction ii
imposes is an inspection under the pro-
Fisions of the pure food act.
Argentine beef, on the free list now,
Is Il was expected. One of the reasons
8 that American packers, such as Ar
noIr & Swift, control large portion
bf the production and shipments to
he United States, the Department of
agriculture says. England takes a
arge supply from Argentina. Another
reason is the inadequacy of shipping
"a c!lities and the lack of American
Dc nks in South America The United
States imports about 10000 pounds
d beef monthly from Argentina, but
tbs is only a bite" for its hungry
lit ens-
Fewer Cattle In United States.
Agricultural Department statistics
show that the ratio of animals to
population in the United States has de-
.lined from ST of one, animal per
a pita in 1900 to sc Of one animal per
.apita in 1914. In the face of this the
Iyerage person eats three pounds more
If beef a year now than in 1900, the
annual per capita consumption being
o2
me Department Of Agriculture, after
he probing committee makes II report,
WI inaugurate a national campaign to
II courage the raising Of beef cattle.
A. effort will be made to induce farm
" in many Eastern States to turn to
"a tie raising. With sugar no longer a
age source OF profit to Louisiana, the
r. 0artment expects planters and farm
IL there TO turn their attention to beef
production.
Beef prices will be the subject of
r .ormal discussion at meeting of
Re cooperative committee Of the local
Z cusekeepers' Alliance today. accord
Il 10 Mrs. F. L. Ransome, chairman.