Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-11-14
cAP,TAL,z,hc FOOD CONTROL.

Two weeks ago persistent rumors
began to be foated from Chicago, to
the effect that the government would
fix a price of $1,000 on hogs. 1mme-
diately the daily market reports show
ed q decline in wholesale prices. The
St. Paul market reports ascribed the
decline here to the fact that prices
we're falling in Chicago, and the deal
ers there constantly limited at the
probability of government regulation.
The food manipulators became so
bold as to circulate the report that the
ed in the near future to fix the whole
sale price at $1,000, live weight. Be-
tween the time when these rumors
were first sent out and the time when
the food administration sent out its
denial that it would fix the wholesale
price of pork, there was a drop in
prices from 1880 to $500. This re-
suited In an excess profit Of more than
$150,000 in ten days to the St. Paul
packers alone. The excess to all pack
ers, and the corresponding loss to far
mers, will run into millions.
1t is possible, of course, that the
rumors of pending federal regulation
were not the only Cause of the recent
decline in pork prices. There is al
ways a falling of at this season. Those
who have controlled the live stock
market have always taken advantage
of the fall glut. due to the farmers
necessities. What has just happened
simply shows that the great packing
interests will take advantage of any
sitution to increase their profits.
Neither the retailer nor the consum.
er received any part Of this reduction
in the prices Of hogs. In fact the pric.
es to retailers advanced about one
cent pound during this period, with
a corresponding, increase to the con.
sumner. It is a clear case of big steal
The packers have taken advantage OF
war conditions to increase profits al.
ready enormous.
High prices of food, especially OF
meats, threaten the very life of the
nation. The diet of millions in our
great country is already out to the
verge of starvation. Even without
war 9 condition would have existed
that would have called for the united
and patriotic efforts Of all concerned
with the production and distribution
Of food, in order to guard against un
told suffering and national decline
Now that we are ct war further cut.
ting down Of the food Of those already
under fed millio4k viii be fatal. We
have this year produced enough food
to prevent all want. The problem now
10 how to get It to those who need II
most, 1t prices within their reach. To
this end middlemen's profits should be
cut to the bone. Middlemen who, like
the packers, have already grown rich
should be patriotic enough to do this
themselves. But instead they are
utilizing the country's great need ia
increase their profits. For ye6rs they
have systematically robbed both the
producer and the consumer and now
they are holding up the nations ar
mics on their way to the battle front
OF truth we should "look to the Hun
within our gates" " .+"~- : -
The food barons, In peace times
were organfzed to prey upon the PEG
pie. It has become 10 much q fixed
habit with them that we cannot OK
pect them to adjust to the necessities
Of war. Warehouses. packing plants
and other marketing facilities must b<
taken over by the state and operated
in the interest Of the people. There
IL no other remedy. farmers, FIX /,
with your votes.-Bulletin from Non
fPartisan League Headquarters.