Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-26
HOOVER ASKS PACKERS
FOR THEIR OPERATION
Outlines in General Way What Gov
eminent Might Find It Ne
cessary to Do.
IN CONFERENCE AGAIN TO-DAY
Food Administrator Makes Very Fla.
vorable Impression by His Frank
Statement of Plans-Anxious for
Increased Production of Hogs,
IN CONFERENCE AGAIN TO-DAY

CHICAGO. August 25.-Herbert c.
Hoover, national food chief. came to
Chicago to-day from Washington for
his first conference with the packers.
his right-hand man. NJ L Requa. pre-
ceded MIR. Hoover. and had n confer
ence for several hours with the chief
packers. Among those present at the
conference were Charles H. Swift and
T. IL. Ingersen. OF Swift & Co.: Thomas
K. Wilson. Of Wilson & Co.; Nelson
Morris and Edward Morris. Jr.. of Nor
ris & Co.. and Arthur Meeker. Vice
president Of Armour &c Co.
Mr.. Hoover Joined the conference.
later, and will continue It tomorrow.
and he expects to return to washing
ton In tho evening. Clifford Pinchot
and Francis j. Honey, counsel for tho
Federal Trade Commission, were 40.
tive in all the conferences
Mr.. Hoover made an extremely IA.
Eoraoie impression upon the packers,
who found him very modest. simple,
direct apparently absolutely frank as
20 his plans. and very forceful in
speaking. Mr.. Hoover did not come
TO Chicago to fix prices for food. He
told the packers that he knew a great
deal more about a great many SUBJ
)ects than he did about beef and pork.
He said he would outline in a gen.
erai way what the government might
ma 1t necessary to do. He counted
on the cooperation. advice and assist :
ance OF the packers TO accomplish wha
is necessary.
FOOD PRICES REACH
APEX FOR PRESENT
The opinion was expressed at the
conference that food prices have reach
ed the apex for the present, and that
siiGht decline might even be ex-
pected In the near future. But the
government believes 1t will be neces-
sary next year, and probably for sew
eral years TO come, for the government
i'ser to stimulate the production OF
both hogs and cattle. The slaughter
OF hogs for fat in Germany, and OF
cattle In France and the Argentine for
food during the war has been so great
that at least five years of intensive cul.
tivation In the United States will be
required to make up the void THE
means continued high prices for cat
tie and hogs.
The government may extend the
pohcy Oh the price-fxing to cattle and
hoEs. on the farm. and to packers
products. In the cities. next year. But
WIZ not do so this year. 1t Is pos.
siole the government may even forbid
or restrict the killing of hogs and the
sale OF veal in order that more cattle
may beraised. Editors of weekly farm
papers and Of agricultural papers are
to be urged by Mr.. Hoover to spread
broadcast appeals to farmers to raise
more ewes. cows and hogs for breed
ing purposes.
NO QUICK CHANGE,
EVEN IF WAR ENDS
Mr.. Hoover told the packers-and
the packers agreed with him-that the
conditions at present are not temporary
In the sense that they will quickly
change IL the war should end in a few
months. Mr.. Hoover believes whether
the war goes on or not. that the short
age OF food in Europe and the lack OF
shipping to bring food from Argentina
means unprecedented demands upon
the United States for years to come
In Germany. especially. the farms will
have to be practically restocked with
young animals after the war.
Tell everybody to raise a pig who
can do So" said Bfr. Hoover; at will
pay" Along with the stimulation OF
farm production, Mr.. Hoover will de-
velop scheme and a scale Of price
regulation to be, put into effect next
year. Every producer and packer will
have conditions, as far as the govern.
ment can, make them, that will stimu-
late both to the highest production.
In the distribution Of this unprece.
denied production. no inscriptions OF
greedy middleman or Spectator will
be allowed to take unjust toll from the
consumers.
~ Daniels Accepts.
WASHINGTON. August 26-Secre-