The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-09-20

At a meeting called in Washington by
Secretary of Agriculture Houston Of the
United States live stock industry COM
mittee, the following resolutions and
means of pushing and increasing beef
and pork in this country were adopted
by the meeting:
Whereas, Hon. David r. Houston, Sec
rotary of Agriculture, and Hon. Herbert
c. Hoover, food administrator, have
called us to Washington to consider GER
tain problems of live stock production
vital to the national welfare, and have
requested from US suggestions upon such
problems and especially those relating
to the production and marketing of live
stock and live stock products; therefore,
be it
Resolved, That as result of our con-
ference here we submit the following
statement for the consideration of those
government officials named above:
1. We are impressed with the serious
ness of the war situation and of the OBJ
legation which rests upon all citizens to
serve the common good. And for our
selves and for the sincerely patriotic
live stock producers whom we represent
we hereby pledge to the President Of
the United States and to his administra-
tive officers our loyal cooperation in
carrying out such measures as they may
consider necessary to the successful pros
ecution of this great war for worldwide
democracy.
2. We approve the efforts which have
been made under the leadership of the
department OF agriculture to encourage
live stock production, and we believe
that in this work the department should
have the liberal support of federal and
state authorities.
g. The live stock business is no different
from all other business, In that it is
governed by economic laws Produc-
ton in large way increases or decreases
as the cost OF production and the price
of the finished product rise and fall.
When the margin of profit is replaced by
a positive loss the length of time the
live stock producer can continue in BUSH
ness is measured solely by his financial
condition.
e. If there has been a reduction in
live stock in proportion to the needs of
the country the cause must be sought
in the unremunerative prices which the
live stock producer has received in re-
cent years. A continuation of prices
which are below the cost of production
will intensity the shortage.
S. The live stock producers will loyalty
acquiesce in whatever measures the gov
eminent may find necessary to adopt and
will cheerfu1ly and as speedily as pos
sibIe adjust their business to the con-
ditions brought about by such meas
ures We suggest to those who must
bear the heavy burden of responsibility
that while liquidation of live stock can
take place very rapidly, as shown by
the experience of the past year, the re-
establishment of the herds and flocks is
matter of years If, therefore it seems
desirable to hasten an increase in our
live stock production definite policies
looking to that end should be adopted
and made known at the earliest possible
date Even with normal conditions the
production and feeding of live stock is
carried on under uncertainties which do
not prevail with other kinds Of busi
ness. The cost of the raw material is
determined largely by the sunshine and
the rain and cannot be known in adj
vance The price Of the finished prod
uct is subject to the most violent fluctu-
ations, caused not only by rapidly chang
ing business conditions, but by sys-
tenn Of marketing in which the seller
has no voice as to the prices which shall
be paid for his finished product. Under
war conditions live stock market uncer-
tafnties are intensified and the cost OF
production is very greatly increased.
Therefore, in the absence of reasonable
assurance Of prices which will cover
the cost of production, decrease in live
stock seems inevitable.
6. If in the present emergency the par
amount consideration is an increase in
production, We feel the government
should announce and adhere to the pol
icy that in the huge purchases of meats
and other live stock products which are
to be made through common purchase