Arizona republican., 1918-02-24
"tenruary F, 1918. Hon. David E. Houston. Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.

Washington, D. C.
 My dear Mir Secretary:
 ''In view of our conference of Feb ruary 9th. in regard to beef produc- ton, prices and distribution, the grow ing discomfort of producers. the need of some prompt constructive action to improve the situation, and in com pliance with the suggestion that put my views in writing, l beg to advise you as follows:
 As you are aware, l am in a posi- ton to view this question from sev eral aspects-that of a member of the Advisory Beef Committee of the Food Administration; of one who has been in close touch with the work of the Market Committee of the American National Live Stock As sociation; as a producer of both ami maj feeds and live stock; while as chairman of our Arizona State Coun- cil of Defense. I am closely in touch with many of the problems of our | producers.
 "I recognize the exceedingly diff l ficult problems confronting MT. Hoover i and MT. Cotton. appreciate the dell- l cate international situation they have l to handle in connection with their l control of foreign purchases, and hope 1 I may be able to offer something of real constructive value to assist them l in cooperation with your department in accomplishing successfully their 1 tremendous task.
 Tn my judgment. we need defi nite national program, covering the production and distribution of live stock and it's products. In consid ering such a program. several things seem to be fundamentally necessary:
 "'Our duty as nation to sup
 ply the rapidly increasing needs
 of our allies for beef and other
 live stock products, as well as the
 needs of our Army and Navy,
 and the per capita demands of our
 own civilian population, which MT.
 Hoover advises me are increasing.
 "'That the producer should ap-
 preach this whole question in a
 determined effort to be of na-
 tional service to the country in
 doing his full share to win this
 war.
 "The need of the early develop
 ment of some thoroughly prac-
 tical plan by which beef feeders,
 whose operations are conducted
 with good judgment and effi-
 ciency, can be assured of a req
 sonable profit.
 "'Such a policy, in my judgment should be built up by combining the fine spirit of patriotic service on the part of the producer with sound knowledge of the economic conditions affecting the industry. However patriotic the producer may be. he cannot continue in business unless his operation shows a reasonable profit, and in speaking of a profit, do not have in mind an abnormal war profit, but am convinced the pro- ducer will willingly accept President Wilson's recent definition of profits from a war standpoint.
 "Tn considering such a national policy. it would seem necessary tc first recognize certain important facts as to the unsatisfactory situation now existing These facts appear to me as follows:
 "'1. The producer of beef in the feeding districts of this country, at the present market prices and with the present abnormal costs of feeds and labor. is in many cases losing money on his operations. There is grow ing feeling of dissatisfaction among | Deel leeutIS Iilcy oiN oPpi NAANii'f' of the future, and unless definite con strlictive remedies are promptly taker this apprehension and lack of confi- dence will result in a steady decrease in beef production, which, in my Judg- ment. would be most disastrous.
 2. The existence throughout thu country of abnormally high prices ol feeds without any proportional in crease in the price of the finished product.
 3. The difficulty in obtaining eX perienced farm labor, largely caused b. the unscientific application of the draf last year. which situation promises t' become more acute. by further opera tion of the draft, and the increasin. cost of such labor as is available. A. The suspension of the normal op eration of the law of supply and de mand by the unusual conditions ere ated by the war.
 }. The Food Administration, througl its control of the purchase of eXpor beef. coupled with it's power over tn packers through the licensing provi sion and control of their profits, is in directly fixing livestock prices toda, l which in many cases are unremunera l tvie to the beef feeder and producer. G. Lack of definite knowledge on tn part of the government of the cost o