New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-11
LINERS SLIP OUT
WITH CITY'S BEEF
Cargoes for Hungry Eu-
rope Blamed for Rise
in Prices of Meats.
DRUG IMPORTERS
BLOCK CORNER"
Refuse to Let MiddIemen Spec
ulate in PrOducts-Print
Cotton Mills Close.

The changes in economic conditions
due TO the European war have been so
sudden and violent that no dealer or
manufacturer is prepared 20 say
whether the outcome will he favorable
TO this country as a whole.
Food prices continue to rise. Fac
tories are closing or threatening TO
close. The opinion prevails that so
far as the necessaries Of life are con-
cerned this country is self-supporting,
and that even If a long war holds up
commerce, delicacies and Injuries,
rather than staples, will show the
changed conditions.
In the unsettled state. il is pointed
out, certain articles have attained a
speculative value which may later
prove fictitious.
The meat situation at present seems
TO be the most serious, though some
dealers believe that within a few weeks
il will right itself. Saturdays trade
in the retail shops was phenomenally
light, but beef quotations yesterday
went up half cent a pound on all
cuts, and pork reached the highest
point in years. Although this is gem
orally regarded as the time to buy
lamb at the lowest price, il is now
quoted higher by 6l2 cents than last
year.
Packing Houses Depleted.
A general depletion Of the packing
houses in New York and a falling off
in the shipments from Chicago are
given as the causes Of the rise in meat
prices. This, il was said, might prove
to be a temporary condition, which
would change for the better with the
development of the war.
Every boat tied up at New York be-
cause of the war and every one of the
big liners which slid out with hidden
lights, laden far beyond the ordinary
waterline, is said to have stocked up TO
the limit with New York meat. As
result the local packing houses have
far less than the usual supply on hand.
AZ one of the largest concerns yes
terday il was said that every bit Of its
Argentine beef was gone and many
frcezers were empty. There is no i'm
mediate prospect of more Argentine
shipments, and the shipments to this
firm from Chicago yesterday were far
below the average.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
are market days. Ordinarily this firm
would have received from $4,000 to
10000 pounds on a Monday. The total
amount received yesterday was about
10000 pounds.
Thomas Mccarthy, treasurer of Aus
tin, Nichols & Co., yesterday said he
believed that as far as foodstuffs were
concerned, with a few exceptions, only
the Injuries would be seriously affect
cd by the war and American manufact-
urers might be the gamers by getting
the market heretofore supplied by Euro
peans.
Coffee and Sugar Threatened.
lava and Mocha coffee, sugar and
perhaps tea were three staples Mr.. Nc
Carthv thought might show a consid-
crable advance. OF the Java and
Mocha-the brands ordinarily bought
in this part of the country-there
might be sixty days supply on hand
lust when the demand for sugar would
attempt to Jump ahead of the American
refners no one could tell. The, whole
sale price went up yesterday to OF
cents.
Mr.. Mccarthy said he believed there
would be little, if any, speculation IN
food products, as the supply was TOO
vast and the farmer was as well IN
formed Of the existence OF the war as
the iobber and dealer. Those who had
large supplies on hand when war broke
out would make a pretty profit, but
they would find it impossible TO repeat
the operation.
In the drug business-a more re-
stricted trade-already attempts have
been made to buy up at the old prices
great quantities of imported drugs.
There are not more than half dozen
or so big importers, however, and IN
dividually they have refused to permit
this speculation.
Importers Block Corner.
Not more than two months supply
Of the coal tar products and other
drug specialties supplied by Germany
is on hand. II. A. Metz, one of the
principal importers, said yesterday
that the price had not been raised on
that account, and probably would not
be. To prevent speculation by middle
men. however, importers have refused
TO sell TO them at any price.
Mr.. Metz is furnishing such drugs
ONLY TO physicians who are giving spe-
c;ai treatments. Immediately upon the
enforcement of the embargo he re-
ceived orders from jobbers for an I'M
usual amount. Double prices were
offered for immediate delivery. The
orders we're refused,
"Some of those fellows set out to
make their everlasting fortunes from
this war" said Mr.. Metz yesterday,
"but if they don't look out they will
find themselves crowded out Of bust
ness entirely"
The dye situation is fully as serious