El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-06
MEN Of
n. NJ. ORGANIZE
Form Association for Pro
lection of Sheep Indus
try of the State.

/ VI VI b44C OIC5DOs
ships, which in my Judgment, is the
neck of the bottle to our great task
| of winning this war, we now are in
a position to ship meat in greatly in
| creased quantities to Europe, for the
reason not only that food ships are
| given priority but that large num-
Der Of English ships engaged in NOV
/ ing meat and products from Argen-
| tine to Europe have been transferred
for the use of moving American food
/ products. Therefore, the question
confronting US is, how to encourage
and stimulate beef production
| I'm a statement which a number
| Of US, representing livestock produc-
ers, presented to president Wilson on
he very courteously granted US, the
following occurs:
ave recognize that it is the clear
duty Of the livestock producers OF
this nation to give their fun share
of loyal service in supplying the
rapidly increasing needs of our allies
for meat products. as well as the
demands of our own civilian popula-
ton You will appreciate that, how
ever patriotic the livestock producer
may be, he cannot continue his bust
ness in his industry unless he re-
ceived fair prices He cannot con
tinue his business at a loss. He does
not desire abnormal war profits, but
willingly accepts your recent defini-
ton OF fair price.
The present conditions confront
ing the livestock industry, particu-
larry those engaged in producing beef
and mutton, are most unsa satisfactory.
There has been an abnormal increase
in the price of the primary feeds for
crease in the price Of the finished
animals. the prices of the former be-
ing determined by the law OF supply
and demand, while the price Of the
latter is largely controlled by the food
administration In the interest OF the
consumer. There also exists de-
plorable shortage in transportation
facilities, a lack of farm labor. and
q material Increase in the cost of
such labor as is available
Ask Constructive Remedies
''The situation is resulting in a
growing feeling of discomfort. lack
Of confidence, and apprehension as to
the future. and we believe that unless
practical, constructive remedies are
promptly adopted. that decreased
our Judgment, would be a national
disaster.
The handling Of the livestock
problem without due regard to the
cost Of production and the drawing Of
a hard and fast line between produc-
ton and distribution, and treating
them as separate problems instead
of one, are partially responsible for
the present unsatisfactory conditions |
While the meat producer sees his in !
dustry in serious danger as result |
of the conditions mentioned, he finds |
labor amply protected and receiving |
liberal returns. and the meat packers, /
as well as producers OF steel. copper, !
flour. sugar, lumber and many other |
commodities making liberal profits, |
and as a livestock producer, he natur- /
ally feels that he is entitled TO fair /
returns
Opportunity for National Policy.
'sThe war has given US a great op-
portunity to put our house in order. I
and. with fairness to every branch OF I
this great Industry. adopt a construc- /
tive national livestock policy, just /
alike to the producer and consumer.
stimulating production and assuring 4
the consumer of beef prices free from 1
wasteful practices. manipulation and 4
speculation, and based on such sound
economic principles as will put US in L
q position to meet the test OF the
critical readjustment period which Is
great world conflict In developing
such a policy, production and distri-
button should be treated as one great
problem, and the most complete CO.
operation between the department OF
agriculture, in close touch with pro-
duction. and the food administration
which, to a large extent, controls the
distribution of meat products, viii be
essential
View Question without Hysteria.
Under the clear headed admins
tration OF secretary Houston, the de-
partment Of agriculture is proving OF
more and more practical help in as
sisting the producer to solve the prob
lens, while the recently created food
administration under Mr. Hoover has
been of immense benefit
in curbing the extortionate Drofiteers
and outlining ways and means to sup
ply our allies and our own boys at
the front with wholesome meats at
moderate prices A more general rep
resentation of producers on the staff
Of the food administration would be
Of great advantage and bring about
better team play with the producer.
II recognize the exceedingly big
Job confronting Mr. Hoover and the
director of his meat division. Mr.. Cot
ton: appreciate the delicate interna-
tional situation they have to handel
in connection with their control Of
foreign purchases and should like to
be able to offer something of real
constructive value to assist them in
with the department Of
agriculture in accomplishing success
fully the tremendous task We must
view this whole question without hys-
terra and clearly analyze the existing
LdClS- L see AO VI . DCEA
famine, as has been predicted by
some. If we take action promptly and
with common sense. AS a matter OF
fact the official figures of the de-
partment Of agriculture, recently is
sued show a decided gain in cattle in
the United States during the past
year, and the following figures are
Total cattle on farms and
ranges OF the United States January
l, 1913, 65,S30.0OO: total cattle on
farms and ranges in the United States
January !, 1917. 64.5s5,000; or a gain Of
Gain Of 100000.
cot the cattle on hand January I,
1918. 43,546,000 were beef cattle, o.
nearly 1000, 900 more than the pre-
vious year. The foregoing supply is
found despite the enormous shipments
Of cattle to the central markets dur
ing the past year. The official figures
Of the bureau of markets showing
that in 1917 the receipts Of cattle at
the SO central markets exceeded those
Of 1916 by 4,6S7,062 head, or a gain
Of 26l5 percent, the exact figures be-
ing as follows: 1917 cattle receipts
at So central markets, %. 239, 62S: 1916
cattle receipts at SO central markets,
l7.552,566.
Exports Are Increasing.
Nov that the shortage Of ships for I
the movement of food 10 Europe has :
been relieved, our exports Of beef are
increasing immensely. In the first I
ten months of 1917 our total exports
Of fresh beef totaled 194.SS7.512I
pounds, or gain over 1851
Of % percent. whereas, our ship