Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-14
BEEF SURPLUS
THREATENSCUT
IN PRICE LIST
Elimination of Meatless Tues
day Is Now Under Con-
Sideration

Washington, March 14.-Throush
curious economic freak the Amer
ican housewife is about to obtain
steaks and rib roasts at much lower
price than war conditions ordinarily
would warrant, and serious consider
alton is being given by the food ad-
ministrator to the elimination of
meatless Tuesdays from their kit
chen calendar.
The only thing to prevent such an
unexpected benefit from war will be
the ability of delegations of cattle
men and packers who came to Wash
ington yesterday to find a solution
of the difficulties arising from an
unprecedented surplus of meat in the
United States.
Fears of a general collapse in beef
prices, resulting in cheaper meat to
the consumer but causing heavy
losses to the farmer and cattle rails
er and probably injuring seriously
next years production, We're express
ed by Representatives of the industry
Meatless Tuesday May Go
1t was learned yesterday that Her
bert c. Hoover, food administrator,
is giving consideration to the propo-
sal of the elimination of meatless
tuesday during a temporary period
affected by surplus supplies on the
market. 1t was stated, however
considered in connection with such a
step and one of the chief points was
observance by the food adminiStra-
ton of the effects of the elimination
of porkless Saturday and the daily
meatlesS meal from the food con-
servation program. Conditions in
some cities are not favorable to sus-
pension of the meatless Tuesday, it
is believed.
Representatives of the meat in
dustry are agreed the present prices
cannot be maintained unless the
government acts. Packers have all
they can handle with the present re-
frigerating facilities and beef is
backing up on the farms.
Impossible to Maintain Prices
Mr.. Hoover is powerless to main
tain prices, and the farmers and
cattlemen have been unable to OBJ
tain much encouragement from
members of Congress in their efforts
TO have minimum market price
fixed.
The situation really is serious. 1t
is understood the meat surplus,
which resulted in the abandonment
for the present of porkless Saturdays
and meatlesS meals except on Tues
days, is such that the food admin
istration was able to offer to the
Allies six months meat supplies on
the scale agreed upon in the current
program. This offer was made, it
was stated yesterday, to dispose of a
part of the surplus in the manner to
do the greatest good, as the swamp
ing the meat market now may mean
a severe scarcity later, especially if
the cattle raiser is forced to take
low price for his present stock.
Allies Unable to Store Supply
1t Is patent the Allies could not
handle six months supplies, as they
could not obtain refrigeration ia
cilities in this country to handle
such an abundance of beef and ship
ping to carry it to Europe is not to
he had. 1t also is understood there
was the difficulty of drawing on their
in this country to such a great eX-
tent.
Scores of cattlemen are urging
Mr.. Hoover to fix a minimum beef
price, but he is without legal author
lty to do so. A price has been fixed
on hogs, but that was possible only
through voluntary agreement with
the industry last fall, and ii is being
maintained only through the strong
est pressure upon the packers by the
food administration.
hlShef Ir1ceS seen Next Fall
Congress could fix such a price by
legislation, but scarcely in time to
accomplish the purpose sought. The
transportation situation prevented
the early marketing of animals. and
those held on the farms and ranches
until recently were fed soft corn,
which farmers were unable to get to
the driers, due also to traffic con-
gestion in the grain centerS. Added
to this was the decreased consump-
ton due to the meatless days of the
food administration.
The situation, while indicating
cheaper meat for the consumer at
this time, means, according to cat
tlemen, high prices and short stocks
may prevail next fall.