Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-11-21

executive committee or the bft! PACK
for pork products and with the Insmb<
foreign pork purchases
The conclusions OF the conferences
The entire marketing situation has
% changed since the September 5oint
conference as 70 necsss1tate al entire
alteration In the plans OF price stabi
hEation The current peace taik has
alarmed the holders Of sorn, and there
has been a price decline OF rom -
cents 20 20 cents per bushel. The fact
that the unulations OF low priced
corn IN the Argentine and South Afri-
~ would upon the advent OF peace
and liberated shipping, become avail
able To the European market has Gre
ated a great deal OF apprehension on
the part OF corn holders. This decline
has spread fear among swine growers
that similar reduction In the prices
Of hogs would naturally follow. More
over, the lower range Of corn prices
would. II incorporated In l3-to-l ra-
ito, obviously result In continuously
failing price for live hogs. In view
OF these changed conditions many
swine producers anticipated lower
prices and as result rushed their
hogs 10 market IN large numbers, and
this overshipment has added TO and
aggravated the decline
The information OF the Department
OF Agriculture indicates that the sup
ply Of hogs has Increased about 8 per
cent, while the highest unofficial est
mate does not exceed Is per cent in
creased production over last year. on
the other hand. the arrival Of hogs
during the last three weeks In the
seven great markets has been r. per
cent more than last year. during the
corresponding period, demonstrating
the unusually heavy marketing OF the
available supply. In the face OF the
excessive receipts some packers huVe
not maintained the price agreed last
month. On the other hand many
~ the packers have paid over the
price offered 10 them In an endcavor
10 maintain the agreed price. The re-
suit In any event has been a failure
TO maintain the October price basis
determined upon at the September con
ference and undertaken by the pack
crs Another factor contributing to
the break In prices during the month
ltas been the Influenza epidemic II
has sharply curtailed consumption OF /
pork products and temporarily de-
creased the labor staff OF the packers |
about - per cent
The exports OF l30O0O,O 900 pounds
OF pork products for October com
pared with about $1,000 600 pounds
IN October year ago. and the
export orders placeable by the Food
Administration for November, amount
TO 100000 pounds a. contrast
ed with the lesser exports OF
rs. OoOO for November. 1917. The
increased demands OF tbs allies are
and are IL themselves
proof OF the necessity for the large
production for which the Food Admin
strstion asked. The Increase In ex-
sufficient TO take up the Increase In
Dog production. hut unfavornhle mar
1et conditions existing In October af-
'ord no fair index OF the aggregate
Tupply and demand.
II must be evident that the enor.
nous shortage In fats In the Central
Empires and neutral countries would
upon peace result In ad-
litional demands for pork products ,
which, on top OF the heavy shipments
o the Allies, would tend materially ,
o increase the American exports, In
.smuch as no considerable reservoir OF ,
upplies exists outside OF the United
states. II seems probable that the ,
resent prospective supplies would be T
Inadequate 10 meet this world demand :
With the return TO peace. So far as II q
: possible 10 interpret this fact. IL ap- |
ears that there should be even a :
tronger demand for pork products 9
Z hog producers as TO the effect OF e
eace is unwarran,ed by the outlook.
In the light OF these circumstances =
IL the conclusion OF the conference n
hat attempts to hold the price Of hogs Q
D the price of corn may work out 10 g
he disadvantage OF pork producers q
! is the conclusion that any interpre- I
alton OF the formula should be II
road gagged policy applied over h
ing period. IL is the opinion OF the G.
difference that In substitution OF the @
revious plans OF sterilization the
I've Stock Subcommittee Of the Agri- n
lltural Advisory Board, together with n,
10 specially invited swioe representa- :,
yes, should accept the invitation Of ri
10 Food Administration - JOIN with n
ie Administration and the packers In nj
stermlning the prices at which con I'm
oiled export orders are to be placed p,
his will be regularly done. The in n
lence OF these orders will be directed =,
the maintenance OF the common ob.
ct-nnmely. the stabilization OF tho ?,
lice OF live hogs SO rs To secure ~ FAR M
) II Ii possible fair returns TO the by