The Washington herald., 1917-08-26
Will NOT FIX
Price Of MEAT
Tells Packers Government
Wishes to Stabilize In
dustry During War.

chicago, Ill, Aug. 2J-Herbert c.
. Hoover issued the following state
/ ment after meeting the packers and
editors OF FARM papers here today:
Mr.. Hoover wishes to state en-
phaticaly that there is no founda-
ton for any statement that the Food
Administration has any intention to
hN prices OF beef or pork products.
The administration hopes to develop
by discussion with representatives
committees Of the hog producers, the
cattle producers, the commission men
and the packers greater stabilization
OF the industry during the war and
In such a way as to encourage pro-
duction, to eliminate speculative prof
its and risks so far as may be and
by so doing to protect the consumer.
These discussions will take some
time and action will only be taken
after mature consideration and then
only with the cooperation Of all the
groups concerned. No rumOrs or re.
ports to the contrary should be given
the slightest consideration"
Mr.. Hoover came to Chicago to-
day from Washington for his first
conference with the packers. His
risht-hand man, NJ. l.. ReQua, pre-
~StANNA III. LAOON GA anu AAdfA a tOntET-
ence for several hours with the chief
packers. Among those present at the
conference We're Charles II. Swift and
T. H. Insersen, Of Swift x Co:
Thomas L. Wilson. of Wilson & Co;
Nelson Morris and Edward Morris.
Jr.. o. Norris &c Co, and Arthur
Mceker. vice president OF Armour &
Co.
Mr.. Hoover Joined the conference
later and will continue it tomorrow,
and he expects to return to Wash
ingtOn in the evening. Clifford Pin
Chot and Francis J. Henry, counsel
for the Federal Trade Commission,
were active in all the conferences.
Hoover Makes Impression.
Mr.. Hoover made an extremely ia
TorabIe impression upon the packers,
who found him very modest, simple,
direct, apparently absolutely frank
as to mis- plans, and very forceful in
speaking Nr. Hoover did not come
10 Chicago to fix prices for food. He
told the packers that he knew a
great deal more about a great many
subjects than he did about beef and
pork. He said he would outline in |
a general way what the government |
might find it necessary to do. He
counted on the cooperation, advice |
and assistance Of the packers TO ac- !
compllsh what is necessary.
The opinion was expressed at the
that food prices have
reached the apex for the present and |
that a slight decline might even be 4
expected in the near future. But the |
government believes it will be neces-
5ary next year and probably for sew |
'ral years TO come for the government |!
Itself to stimulate the production of |
10th hogs and cattle. The slaughter
IF hogs for fat in Germany and OF
attle in France and the Argentine for
ood during the war has been so great (
hat at least five years of intensive
cultivation in the United States will
'e required to make up the void. This
means continued high prices for cat
le and hogs.
The government may extend the pol
cy Of the pTice-iXing to cattle and
logs on the farm and to packers prod
lets in the cities next year. But it
viii not DO so this year. 1t is posi-
DE the government may even forbid
II restrict the killing OF hogs and the
iale of veal in order that more cattle
nay be raised. Editors Of wceklies
md Of agricultural papers are TO be
IrSeo by Mr.. Hoover to spread broad
asst appeals to farmers to raise more
ives. COWS and hogs for breeding pur-
oses.
Conditions Not Temporary. l.
Mr.. Hoover told the packers and
he packers agreed with him that the
onditions at present are not tenn
'orary, in the sense that they will ;
ulckly change if the war should end
n few months. Mr.. Hoover believes,
neither the war goes on or not, that
he shortage of food in Europe and {
he lack of shipping to bring food I
rom the Argentine means unprece-
ented demands upon the United {
tates for years to come. In Ger
laHy especially, the farms will have I
be practically restocked with
oung animals after the war.
Tell everybody to raise a pig who
an do so,' said Mr.. Hoover. 1T will
ay."
Along with the stimulation of farm
reduction Mr.. Hoover will develop
;heme and a scale of Price regula- 6
on TO be put into effect next year.
very producer and packer will have
'nditions as far as the government
an make them that will stimulate =
oth to the highest production. In I
le distribution of this unprecedented a
reduction no INSCRIPTIONS or greedy =