The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-06-01
MUST WE NOW BID
FAREWELL TO MEAT

NtPcldltGllS nave always DtCli TAI
in the United States People have
taken it for granted that in India
or in China a meat diet was out Of
the question - but in the United
State-have not our ancestors eaten
meat from a time whereof the mem
DRY of man runneth not to the con-
trary? True enough, but our de
scendants must stop it.
From 1860 to 1917 the popula-
tion of the United States increased a
little more than three-fold, and from
1880 TO 1917 it doubled almost ex-
actly. Contrast with this increase
in population the increase in the
production of meat, for which the
workingman spends one-third of his
food budget. The meat supply is
absolutely limited by the number
of meat animals in a community.
The figures showing the number Of
live meat animals in the United
States indicate an alarming failure
Of the meat supplies to keep pace
with the increasing population. Be
tween 1860 and 1917 the number of
cattle in the United States more
than doubled In 1860 there were
25,O000,000 cattle and in 1917 there
were 63,000,0 900. From 1880 to 1917
there was an increase Of 81 per cent
in the number Of cattle in the Unit
ed States. The increase in the num-
Der of people in the United States
is therefore more rapid than the
increase in the potential supply Of
beef. Bearing in mind the fact that
dairying has increased very rapidly
during the period under considera-
ton, it becomes evident that beef de-
mand has increased entirely out of
proportion to the beef supply. Dur-
ing the so years from 1860 to 1917
while the population more than treb-
led the supply of cattle merely doub-
led, Practically the same thing is
true of sheep and swine, the two 9th
er principal sources of meat supply.
There were twenty-five million sheep
in the United States in 1850, forty
two million in 1880 and forty-eight
million in 1917 The swine in 1860
numbered thirty-three million; in
1880 forty-nine million, and in 1917
siXty-seven million, showing a slight
progressive increase. In no one
Of these cases, however, has the in
crease in the number Of animals
corresponded with the increase ir
the population.
I As for meat prices, Of course they
are high, and unless the ratio be-
tween the number of meat animals
and the number of people in the
country tan be radically changed, OF
coure meat prices will be higher. The
increase in the land values; the
disappearance of great unclaimed
stretches of free grazing land, anC
the growing conviction that money
can be made in forms of agriculture
other than stick-farming are al
playing a part, and the America,
meat supply is diminishing.
Two-t thirds of the people of the
world are vegetarians. The pro
portional decrease in the number Of
available meat animals, with the
consequent increase in the price Of
meat products means vegetarianisn
for the low-paid American wage
earners. The rich and well-to-dC
will continue to be meat eaters, but
those who DO the bulk of the WORK
in the United States must abandon
a meat diet. The next generation
will see a growing line of distinction
between those who eat meat and those
who do not eat it.
Smoke Chas. Sheets CHALLENGE