The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-12-10
JBg RAIsERs
WANT RETURNS
Price Must Have a Ratio in
Proportion to Corn,
From rLs otlaAona F.rm.r-Stoekman

frOm The OkiAhoma fermeT-otoekmAn
Aehort time ago committee Of hog
men was appointed by Herbert Hoover
to investigate prices OF ioss and to pre-
sent some plan for stimulating the hog
industry II was felt that some action
should be taken that would insure the
grower OF hogs a fair profit for his
work This committee presented, in
part, the following plan to Mr. Hoover
we believe that definite. stimulapyc
actipn'is Immediately nsfessay If the
pork supply OF the nation and the ma
tions allies is TO be sufficient 10 meet
demands.
There is a marked feeling OF un,.r-
tainty evident on the part OF the pro-
duocr. This is manifest In the large
number OF unfinished hogs now gong to
market There is big tendency to mar
kct potential breeding stock-breedng
stock that is Nessential to further m
crease. The feeling and unrest and un-
Certainty on the part OF tho producer
Is further sccentuated by the recent
marked drop in the price OF hogsjf'lrN
and above all. confidence should be in
stilled so tina, the producers will feel
that when their hogs are finished for
market, they will sell at fair price
at less sufficient to cover the cost Of
production and fair profit
"In all OF our deliberations we have
borne steadfastly in mind the world
wide problems Of supplying ourselves
and our allies with meats and fats and
particularly have we kept uppermo't IN
our thoughts the consumer The con-
sumer's and the Producers interests in
these United States rest on a common
foundation OF laws, fustoms economic
relationship and SOCIAL life
Producers Opposed to Proiiteering.
I'VE believe that the sentiment Of the
swine producer is overwhelmingly op-
posed to any unjust or profiteering ar
fangement that will be hurtful TO the
great rank and file OF consuming inter
ests. Aud further, that all the producer
asks is a sensibly sound, economic ar
ranscment wlHeby he may secure for
his efforts expended in ths production
of pork simply the cost q production
plus a fair profit. In other words, a
price for his hogs that shall meet our
Presidents definition OF just price
I'VE believe that upder normal con
ditions, the ordinary laws Of supply and
demand should rule, but in this emer-
gency situation the results desired come
too slowly. and may be out Of proportion
TO the urgent demands OF the moment
Therefore, definite, artificial stimulu
and regulation are necessary inorder t
secure the products needed and to in
sure a fair and just relationship anon
producers, packers and consumers.
Corn Ratio to Hog Prices,
"The commission finds that the ap
/ proximate, equivalent value of II bush
els of No. 2 corn is necessary TO pro
duce 100 pounds OF average live hos
under average fam conditions
while hog production for the II
years ending 1916 han been maintained
on a ratio of li.6 bushels OF corn Il
100 pounds OF hog. we believe, when al
the losses are taken into account. tina
J Il is doubtful whether there has been
profit on the business with this rati'
on the average,
"The normal number Of hogs in III
United States is approximately oSWO
900 as eontrasted with the present SUI
ply of not more than 6O!OmW !
bring swine production back to norma
the commission believes that It will r'
uuire a stimulative market which W,
pay at least the equivalent value OF Is
bushels of corn for 100 pounds Of ave
age hog,
"We further believe that the equiva
ent value OF at least l43 pounds OF col
must be paid for 700 pounds of averat
hog in order that production may
stimulated IS percent above the norma
Minimum Price for Immediate Futur
The best emergency method OF ST
bili,ing the market and preventing Il
premature marketing Of light unfit
ishcd pigs and breeding stock, we firn
" believe, is TO establish immediate
minimum emergency price for goo
TO select butcher hogs Of $40 per hui
dred pounds on the Chicago mark'
For the purpose OF Immediately Stlna
latng production of swine TO: the nc
year. we recommend that a tato
Immediately established and announce
at once, Same TO 90 into effect Feb.
1918. Steps should also be taken
prevent, as far as possible, any lar
or sudden change in prices when III
70 from the minimum basis to the ra
bash, This minimum price should a
apply to other markets and to ot'
laSses OF market hogs with the usr
)r normal diiiercntials
I'VE recommend that the question
price range between the various mar
classes and grades OF hogs should
determined by suitable committee
representative packers, livestock &C
mission men and representatives OF I
commission, the same to be appoin
oy Mr.. Hoover.