New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1917-09-15
BL.AMES HIGH MEAT COST ON
PROHIBITION.

! Prohibition is held responsible
by some dealers for the newest
wave Of high prices of meats
They maintain that closing down
distilleries has caused the prices
of beef to soar above figures OF
Civil War days.
Cattlemen have always found it
profitable to feed stock on the re-
fuse Of grain and corn furnished
by distilleries and 'breweries. With
the closing of distilleries in the
prohibition States, this source of
food has failed the cattle raisers.
Grain is too expensive to feed be-
cause the farmer can get more
for the grain in the mraket than
he can realize in the slight in-
crease in the value of grain fed
cattle.
Figures show that steer
weighing 600 pounds will weigh
900 pounds when ready for the
market if fed on grain refuse
whereas a steer of the same weight
left to pasture will not weigh
more than 700 to 725 pounds.
Predicts Higher Prices.
This explanation of the beef
situation was advanced yesterday
by Patrick Quinn Foy, publisher
Of the Daily Market Rreport, and
an expert on market prices. He
added:
with the closing of the whis-
key distilleries on September Sta,
the situation will become still
worse, and prices will reach fig
ures heretofore never dreamed
Of"
Dressed beef has gone up two
cents pound since Wednesday
and 4 cents pound since July 16.
all meats are from 6 to
10 cents a pound higher now thaa
at this time a year ago, market
men predict that prices will go
still higher before the middle of
September. They assert that
Of beef will bring
rs cents a pound wholesale. The
retailers add that this means that
sirloin steaks will cost the house
wife 60 cents pound. with porter
house, chuck and round steaks
advancing at proportionate fig
lres.
The only possible relief, say
wholesalers, is in a reduction OF |
grain prices-relief that Herbert
Q. Hoover, national food director,
alone can bring.
Urges Government Action.
Hogs also continue to soar, sci
ing yesterday at $3.50 hundred
pounds, with several shipments at
1875. This is nearly dollar
above the previous high record for
he year. Patrick Kyne, manager
If Murray's Restaurant, said:
"The explanation of the rise in
oeef prices is simple, but | see no
'eason for the advance in hog
prices. The war, the heavy ex-
ports to the allies, and the cessa-
ion Of the Argentine beef ships
nents to the United States, to
ny mind, account for the advance
n beef prices.
with hogs, the situation is
different. / believe that hogs,
which are easily raised, are as
plentiful as ever, and are being
stored by the packers in the Mid
lie West. We must come speed
~ to government control"
Charles Grismer, of Brooklyn,
PRESIDENT Of the United Master
Butchers Association Of Ameri-
"a, ascribe the situation to the
var. He declared yesterday that
'etail butchers were absolutely |
rec from blame, and cited num-
rous recent failures as proof that
nigh prices were forcing retailers
tut of business. Mr.. Grismer
added:
"Now that the whole animal in
dressed state sells for 20 cents a
pound, the retailer must get 40
ents a pound for roasts in order
O break even. He should charge
more. The small man is at a
urther disadvantage because the
PEOPLE in hot weather will not
NY soup and stew meat, and corn
,eef, which requires cooking for
lours over a hot fire. To move
his meat at all, the retailer must
.f%o~, coll - a 1occ >,