Arizona republican., 1918-02-24
NATIONAL PLAN
 FUR LIVESTOCK STRONGLY URGED

Reference has been made to the reso- lutions adopted by the American Ma tional Livestock association at it's con- vention at Salt Lake and the appoint ment of a committee to present them to the president The resolutions dealt with the relation of the livestock in- dustry to the war.
 The following letter accompanied their presentation to the president
 February 13 1918.
 Washington, b. C., The President,
 The White House.
 Dear MT. President:
 In presenting these constructive res omtions on behalf of the American National Livestock association, we wish to first assure you of the whole hearted support of the livestock pro- ducers in your efforts to win the war, We recognize that it is the clear duty of the livestock producers of this na ton to give their full share of loyal service in supplying the rapidly in- crcasing needs of our allies for meat products as well as the needs of our army and navy and the demands of our own civilian population. You will appreciate that, however patriotic the livestock producer may be, he cannot continue in his industry unless he re- ceiVes fair prices. He cannot continue his business at a loss. He does not de- sire abnormal war profits, but willing ly accepts your recent definition of fair price.
 The present conditions confronting the livestock industry, particularly those engaged in producing beef and mutton, arc most unsatisfactory. There has been an abnormal increase in the price of the primary feeds for live stock, without proportionate increase in the price of the finished animals the prices of the former being deter mined by the law of supply and de- mand, while the price of the latter is largely controlled by the food adminis traitor in the interest of the consumer. There also exists a deplorable shortage in transportation facilities, lack of farm labor, and material increase in the cost of such labor as is available. In the interest of both producers and consumers. we believe it highly im- portant that the statements of the packers covering the first nine weeks of their operations under federal li- tense should be verified immediately bv the food administration.
 The situation is resulting in a grow ing feeling of discomfort lack of con- fidence, and apprehension as to the fu- ture, and we believe that unless prac- tical, constructive remedies are promptly adopted, decreased meat pro- duction will result, which, in our judg- ment, would be a national disaster.
 The handling of the livestock prob lem without due regard to the cost of production and the drawing of a hard and fast line between production and distribution and treating them as sepa- rate problems instead of one, are partly responsible for the present unsatisfac- tory conditions. While the meat pro- duccr sees his industry in serious dan ger as d result of the conditions meu- toned, he finGs 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 naturally feels that he is entitled to fair returns.
 We believe it essential to our na- tional success that a national livestock policy be promptly adopted, just to both the producer and the consumer and based on such sound economic principles as will stimulate production and at the same time put us in a posi- ton to meet the critical readjustment period which is bound to follow the conclusion of this world conflict.
 In developing and putting into exc eution such national livestock policy we believe that production and distri- button should be considered as one problem involving cooperation be- tween the department of agriculture and the food administration. and that joint committee of these two depart. ments should promptly formulate and present to the country their program While the full responsibility must rest with the government, we can assure the disinterested support and assist ance of the nations livestock pro- ducers.
 Respectfully submitted.
 tSished) DWIGHT B. HEARD,
 ED. c. LASATER,
 E. l.. BURKE,
 A. k. MODISETT.
 SYKEC