Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-10

WASHINGTON, %. C., January q
IN ,t;+t'ndinS characteristics Of the
prcSca' prosperity is that nearly
every ono claimS not TO DC getting !,
very large share of il except those
engaged in manufacturing line: that
have been directly benefited by tho
""i Thus farmers and dairNnicu Will
tell YOU that feed anG machinery have.
RISEN in pric" so much that there
profits are seriously affected TN.
SaEtricd man. even though he has, had
raise. nndS it more ctfiirult than cycr
I" save anything.
Ono Individual who cannot disciaim
al unusual prosperity is the retailer of
rood products. There seems to hc u,.
doubt but that he is getting a good
share OF the high prices paid for ncccs-
Sitics For this Inc is not to be blamed :
IL is SIMPLY that circumstances have
been largely in his favor.
Take. for example. tho price OF meat
the rise Of tho retail price OF which
in recent years has attracted more at =
tcution than any other ono phase of
tho high cost OF living. Perhaps the
mos! general popular belief is that :,
largo share OF tho growing price o.
occfsteaN is SoinE into the hands Of
The ;;r"at packing and cold storage in
tcrests Of the United Statcz OF course
II ~ recognized that ueef production
mas bccn falling of in the United
states for more than dccaGc. I;ut
prices Tor beef cattle have been such
~ tho last few years that beef pro-
duciion has been stimulated, and men
competent To judge assert that the
increased number Of cattle marketed
during the las, half OF 1916 is due As
much |" this fact rs 10 the high prices
81 iced livestock producers have
received the highest prices Tor we'll
hilSh'd beef steers that have been
paid in many years. Retail prices are
also high, however. and it is clear that
some onr must 10 ting n good pront
out OF the situation
Now. from tho packer comes a Wig
"rouS disclaimer. The great slaughter
house interests that center III Chicago
point 4" tho wholesale prices of beef
as AN all-sufiicient proof that Their
branch Of the meat industry is no,
making an oXorbitant share Of the
profits.
h"lc-aic Prices No Hrentcr.
Thus il Is pointed out that the
Wholesale price o! hcef in November
1919. IN New York was sllS3 hun
bred: in November 1915. i, was sllo3
hundred. and in November. 1915. it
WAS 'loSa. The prices in the other
principal cities OF tn. United states
were about the same.
one Of thc largest Chicago com
p.ntcs made :: profit III 1919 Of one
eighth OF a cent per pound. live wcie ht,
on beef hiies ana by-productS. The
pIoht on dressed beef was ono fourth
OF :, cen, q pound and tho profit per
dcll." q: sales Was IS cents on all
products.
The .roat packing concerns point
ont WIKI scnc reason that thcs" are
pcrceutaees OF pront dp"H which
smaller concerns could not operate.
and That they "rc able - pcrror'1 ;hcIr
junction 81 preparing ANA distributing
ito meat suppl! Of The tAitcd states
=, remarkably low cost TO the con
'umcr because OF Ia" great efficiency
al their ORGANIZATIONS. the enormous
N"iuU" OF their business. ana their
utilization o; every par: OF IN. IA NAL
~ their 10y -pruuC"tS.
The amount OF bccf SOLE ~ a singh
great packing company during the
D"at year was over 5000. "Ou. O6o pouEd.
Tho plant and equipment OF tEis con-
rcrn - worth 'ncrc than $3.50, 600 o0o
md besides this investment, an inn
mcnso amount Of capital l. necessary
to bu! beef on the hocf.
The utilization, Of Gerry scrap Of tho
animal in tho great packing houses
has been carried 10 an almost incrcd.
iblc degree o. perfection More than
30 articles arc now made FROM animal