Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-10-31
uPHAT the present beef shortage is

Hogs and sheep are also cor
respondingly diminishing in num-
bers on the farms Of this country.
This situation has taken place dur
ing the past few years in the face
Of constantly rising prices for cat
tie, hogs and sheep on foot. Only
q few years ago beef cattle COM
manded only and cents a pound
and hogs only and cents a
pound, the latter frequently falling
near the Scent line, Lambs then
at certain seasons sold for only
$3.50 apiece.
But why should farmers in gem
eral abandon beef, hog and sheep
raising when every year they re-
ceived higher prices for them?
There are fewer enthusiastic stock
men today, with beef cattle around
and 10 cents a pound, hogs hover
ing close around the Scent mark
continually and lambs bringing
about cents on an average for all
seasons of the year. 1t would seem
that with the present better prices
there would be heavy stimulus to
the stock raising business and that
farmers would turn all their efforts
to growing meat animals for the
hungry markets. Such, however, is
not the case.
Meat and Business.
Business generally over the Unit
ed States Is good, from reports and
appearances, but business would be
much better II more meat animals
were grown and marketed. High
priced meats do not mean more
profits to farmers, packers and re-
tailers. Packers make their big
money an big volume Of business,
and their volume Of business is very
small at present. Stockyards COM
panies likewise are prosperous when
they handle heavy car loads and
train loads OF market animals, which
they are not doing at present, Pack
ers, live stock commission firms and
stock yards firms are. experiencing
as hard times right now, owing tc
curtailed trading, as farmers In
drought-striclen areas. They have
reduced operations considerably by
cutting down their working forces
and many are ready to abandon
their business for other lines wher'
trade 10 more enterprising,
Live stock yards, live stock com
mission firms and packing firms rep
resent total Of an immense bust
moss capitalization in this country
When these firms are doing larg
business. money clrculates NOR
freely through many hands, Thel
employees number up into tho ten
of thousands when business IS good
but when bushes is bad, as Il Is q
present, large share Of these EN-
ployes are out Of employment,
Mutual Prosperity.
or all tho evil things that hav
been said about packers, their pros
perlty and the prosperity OF farm
ors and stocltmen ia mutual. II th
one succeeds, the other is bound I
share In the success They can nj
Eot rich in handling few animals
neither can the farmer. Businel
must bo done on large scale
make profits attractive,
Tho present scarcity OF meat an
malls Ia the cause OF almost unproc
dented prices OF retail meats,
packers and dealers must ask mo
for the finished product in order
remain in business and live, Co
mmera Of meats and meat amin
products have reduced their pu
Chases to tho lowest minimum, bu
ing other food substitutes, wi
many being compelled TO do wit
out. when meat and lard 20 Nbo
q certain price, q large share
consumers can not afford TO bt
Thoy must cat cheaper and co
moner foods In order TO mako tn
incomes meet all necessary llvi
enda. All these things tend TO sti
nate general prosperity both In
ties and In the country,
Good Cattle Scarce
SO scarce are good beef cat
and 30 high the price that one