Omaha daily bee., 1917-09-15
PACKING HOUSES
WILL Be LICENSED
Nebraska Live Stock Commit
tee Meets With Hoover to
Consider Increased Produc-
tion and Submits Report.

E. L. Burke, E z. Russell and w.
B. Tagg of Omaha, who were ap-
pointed by Secretary Houston and
Herbert C. Hoover, food administra-
tor as members from Nebraska of the
United States live stock industry COM
mittee, have submitted the following
report OF conditions:
"We attended a meeting of this
committee held in Washington Sep
tember 5, 6 and 7. One hundred
prominent live stock producers from
all parts of the United States were
present
Mr.. Hoover brought pointedly to
the attention of the committee the
fact that there was live stock short
age in the United States, and that the
production of live stock must, if pos
sible, be increased
I'VE must supply our allies with
meat for food. In this respect the
question of hog production IS some
what different from that of cattle and
sheep, for the reason that hog pro-
ducts are used by the armies to a
larger extent than are the other pro-
ducts because they can be more read
lily cured.
Packers Under Federal License.
"Mr. Hoover stated positively that
he had no authority for directly fixing
prices on live stock or meat, and
promised the producers that they
should have more to say regarding
pAces for live stock on the market.
HE has already decided to place
the packing concerns Of the country
under a federal license, so as to con-
troll them both in the interests OF the
producer and the consumer. lie
suggested, however, the advlsability
of in. some way making the price OF
hogs conform to some extent at least
to the price of corn.
"We can say that there is now a
committee at work getting facts and
figures as a basis for calculation. We
Fan assure the live stock producers OF
the country that it is the full intent OF
the administration to stabilize the
markets for live stock so that the pro-
ducer will be assured liberal profit.
Before any definite action is taken the
food administrator will get facts and
figures from producers throughout
the country as to actual cost OF pro-
duction.
To Advise Farmers.
"As soon as definite plans are
worked out, farmers and stock grow
ers will be fully advised. In the mean
time, we want to urge stock growers
to use every effort possible to in
crease production, particularly as
regards the number of hogs to be
grown next year. We feel positive
that live stock growers increasing
their output will be fully justified IN
doing so because of relatively high
prices they will receive for the fin
ished live stock as compared to the
price of feeds necessary to produce it
"Mr Hoover stated that he was
firm believer in high prices for live
stock during the war on account o.
the extraordinary domestic and for,
eign demand for meat products, anc
after the war because Europe woule
require large importation of meat!
during the years of recuperation ane
would also likely have to import large
numbers of breeding animals.
THE committee made it clear tina
the producers of live stock on tht
farms and ranches of the Unitee
States recognize fully the clear cal
of patriotism and indicated their read
mess to bear their full share OF thu
war burden now resting on the ma
ton, and that they realized the i'm
perative need of an immediate ant
extraordinary increase in the produc
ton of live stock in this country, ant