East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-07-15
HIGH BEEF PRICES IN EAST
CAUSE STOCKMEN TO LOOK
CONTINUED from page one,


900 and the annual profits s3.sOO 900
for the year 1913. The same concern
with capital Of $75,OO0,O0O did
business amounting to 100000. 900,
slaughtering over 100000 head
with net profit Of S9,00O,OOO Cor 80
cents per head. The cry that was
sent broadcast by different writer's on
conditions two years ago. warning
the cattle growers to retain their
COWS and calves on the ranges as they
were facing a beef famine, has had
its telling effect along with the de-
creased consumption lowing princi
pally to the closing down Of the big
lumber Interests and other Ia rye pub
lie works. the importation Of foreign
meats. also the greediness Of the coast
packers to bear down the prices of
the raw products has had a depress-
ing effect on the coast trade.
We can but draw our conclusions
that something is radically wrong |
when this state of affairs is wholly |
| confined to the western coast. for we I
| find the eastern prices on the raw
products are fully 25 per cent higher
than the coast markets. 1t is caus-
ing the western shipper to cast his
| eyes toward the eastern markets, and
they are already making preparations
to route some shipments that way. At
least two train loads will leave here
next week for eastern market points,
and if they prove beneficial other
large shipments will follow.
At present the trend of meat val
ues is upward all the world over.
And a summary of the situation will
give you a more vivid idea why the
varying difference between the cattle
on foot and the meats over the re-
tailers' block. Both in Australia and
!. Argentine cattle values are going up
and since the United States began
y buying the excess supply there this
tendency has been very pronounced
II Geographically the meat situation
/ presents the same world wide insol-
= uble problem. On the one hand retail
e ers and consumers are clamoring for
n lower prices, while the producer is
:. confronted with steadily increasing
n cost of production. While each yeaI
j, the civilized world is calling for more
ie beef, pork and mutton, conditions oi
5, distribution have reached a perma'
nent sphere. The cost of meats oyel
> the retailers counter has lost all con.
: nection with stock yard values on tht
Il livestock The packer has so syste
e matized his business as TO insure
small but certain percentage of profi
II on his daily turnover. He has also
'e established a credit system that al
le most entirely eliminates the deac
rs beat. After the finished produc
'e leaves the packers cooler, costs be
he gin To pile UP in its distribution pro
N cess. In many localities the apprecla
IL tion between the time it leaves th'
"a cooler and the time it passes over IN
II retailers scales to the consumers ]
n A0 TO so per cent. II possibility o
e. reducing these excessive charges eA
H. isted. the problem of cheapenih
meats to the consumer might be sol
luble. The distributive process ma
Undergone a radical change IN IN
mast few years. Instead of a few we
equipped retail shops these placs
I'M have multiplied out of all proporuo
~ to necessity. Go into any city an
YOU will be convinced. Three to fN
extensively equipped shops in a sii
on gle block tells the story. The oWn'
is twenty years ago did his own euttlr
ei ana serving. Now he only deVotes y
nd time TO entertaining his customer
ri, He has meat cutters and helpers g
ur lore on his payroll. whose wages ear
re hours OF labor are fixed by the unio
n His rents have doubled and eV'
Ito ouadrupled in the last decade, Nal
he of them retain a battery OF telephoh
Pr which are essential in the mad ru
he for business. Maintain an operat
and solicitors drum the vicinity I
trade. Deliveries are made by e
pensive motor trucks. And a percei
~ age OF his customers are living .
vond their means and bad debts nv
n be- added on paying customers 4
a. can readily see that the prices OF il
stock on hoof bears no relation wh'
ever TO retail charges for meats. -
there Is no remedy except that 81
gested bv the Master Butchers Ass
~ citation which insists the farmer Is
- blame.