The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-02-03
MORE LIVE STOCK NOW
THAN A YEAR AGO
Government Statistics ContradiCtS
Reports That Prices Will Reach
Unprecedented Figures.

For the first time in many years, in
formation collected by the department
shows that all classes of live stock in
the United States are increasing in
numbers. Thus the real facts contra
dict, absolutely, sensational reports that
prices for meat and shoes would rise to
unprecedented figures in the immediate
future. 1t has even been said that
Government statistician predicted meat
at 90 cents pound and shoes at SO a
pair within the next two years. Such
prediction, the real Government
statisticians say. is quite unwarranted.
On January l, for example. the number
of beef cattle showed an increase of 8. 4
per cent. over the number a year ago,
and an actual increase of !, 212, 600 head.
Hitherto the number of beef cattle in
the United States has declined steadily
since 1910. There are also more mich
cows IN the country than last year, the
increase being % per cent, or in num-
bers 525 COO. Swine, however, showed
the greatest increase of all classes-9.G
per cent. On January l, 1914, there
were only IS, 933, 600 swine in the
country; on January l, 1915, GA, 6lS, 600.
This is accounted for by the fact that
the production of swine can be increased
more rapidly than that Of other classes
of live stock and consequently an en-
larged demand can be met more rapidly.
The prediction of 50-cent meat and
$40 shoes was accompanied by the
declaration that France alone has taken
from America nearly 300 600 horses
within the last five months and that the
other countries at war have drawn upon
our resources in the same proportion.
The facts are that more horses were on
the farms of the United States on Janu-
airy l, 1915, than there We're year be-
fore, the increase being 233, 900 head,
or IL per cent. So far from France
alone having taken 800, 900 horses from
us, the total exports since the war be-
gan have certainly been much less than
100, COO and very likely not over Is, 900
Since there are approximately 25,OO0,-
900 horses altogether in the United
States, the drain on account Of the war
is scarcely alarming.
1t is, in fact. pointed out by Govern
ment statisticians that the market
value of farm horses has actually de-
clined TO such an extent that the aver
age is now about Sc head less than a
year ago. This decline is most notice
able In the cotton States and in those
States which make business of breed
horses for sale in other sections. Mules
have declined even more than horses,
their value being now $1150 per head
less than.a year ago. The explanation
IS to be found in the depression on ac-
count OF the cotton situation in the
South, which is the great market for
mules. An improvement in this re-
spect will do much to restore the de-
mand for horses, so that Government
specialists, while ridlculing the nation
of horse famine, are convinced that
farmers Will find it profitable to use
good work mares for breeding more
stock.
AS tor hides, the situation is not quite
so clear, but even here there has been
much gross eXaggeration. From two
tifths to less than one-half of the
leather used In this country is imported.
about % per cent Of the foreign hides
coming from Argentina, Is per cent
from Canada, II per cent from Mexico,
81 per cent from European Russia. and
u per cent from France. Since the
outbreak of the war importations have
showed certain falling off, those for
September, 1914, for example. being
only "a, 900, 900 pounds, instead of As
600, 900 pounds the year previous.
There is, however, little reason to
suppose that this decrease will be per-
manent or of sufficient Importance to
create any real scarcity. Since the
great bulk of the imported hides comes
from countries that are not at war.
shipments are not lnterferred with in |
any way, and the only new factor to be |
considered is the possibility of an in
creased demand by the warning
countries.
1t is believed, however, that the
United States is now in better condi- |
ton to face such situation than for |
years past. The tide, it seems, has
turned. Instead of live stock steadily |
decreasing year after year, this year
for the first time, as has been said, all
classes show an appreciate increase.
Including horses, mules, mich cows,
beef cattle, sheep and swine. there were
on January l, 1915, Z, ZIP, 900 more farm
animals in the United States than on
January l, 1914. The increase in the
total value was $78, 024, 900. or 1.3 per
cent. 1t is quit. true that this increase
IN population, which issoo we increase
per cent; but the fact thai Sl .-iIil"!ely
:.ouooea that the tide SppmS'StS - dH