The Washington times., 1919-08-14
MEAT PROFITS
SMALL, SAYS
MARKET HEAD

Abnormal food prices do not neces-
sarily spell great proAts to the dealer.
wholesaler or packer. Joseph A. Whit
field, OF the Old Dutc. Market, yester.
day told the Senate district subcom.
nittee investigating the high cost OF
living here.
Basic prices Of raw materials at the
{ source are the cause of the high prices
Of foodstuffs, and lower prices are de-
pendent on lower source prices. which,
IN turn, are dependent on greatly in
creased world production. he said.
The world has less food on hand
and produced less in 1913. IL is
claimed, than the pre-wsr normal.
With this shortage in food, the ex-
Z ports Of pork from this country al
most tripled in the years 1878. The
price of top hogs. consequently, rose
from $3.50 per cwt. in 1914 to S23. so
. per cwt. in 1919. The exports of beef
{ have increased from $4,000, 900 pounds
in 1913 to 700, 0Oo. 900 pounds in 1918.
The imitation of the currency, the
growing value of lands. the Increased
. cost Of transportation. taxes on agri-
/. cultural machinery, productive land
and foods, IL is claimed. have all
tended TO boost the prices OF food
Washingtonians cat cheap beef
when they can't afford to cultivate a
taste for portefhouse steaks
This is the latest discovery by the
senate District subcommittee through
the testimony Of retailers who ought
to know.
In fact It appears now that wash
lngtonians are very much like Balti-
moreans in their tastes, despite for
mer testimony that the reason food
Prices are 50 high IN the National
SapttE4sslmply is because the average
Washingtenian scorns sausages and
spends NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the choicest
steaks.
The subcommittee learned that
people who live in abroEnstope
fronts" certainly do prefer steaks to
pate beef. But all the houses in
washington are not ''brownstone
fronts, and there are quite a lot of
people who welcome theaahance TO
Z 1aIEsr-a hing at 10 or IS cent beef.
$3.50 sen Both Kinda, they say,
= AR. Joseph A. WHITEHEAD. and Frank |
kidWelL proprietor of I'VE meat mar !
ketss say Washingfonians eat both |
expensive and cheap meats.
In the opinion OF Mr.. WhiteheId, |
while IL Is true Washingtoniars buy
more expensive cuts in comparison |
with most cities, It all depends on the !
kind Of. trade 10 which the butcher
caters. II his market is on Connecti- |
cut avenue, be is quite sure OF selling
more steaks than plain beef If he |
caters TO other sections OF. the city. he
win sell much cheaper beef and very
few steaks.
Accept Us As Normal.
So the subcomnittes.- was prepared !
20 proceed today With the understand
ing that the washingtonian, at heart
ana at pockeIbeok, is quite a normal /
person.
These are the .retailers who win T
testify this Afternoon: e G. Konker 4
Sanitary Grocery Company; Charles
r. Kengls. jr.. Shirley Market; George
c. Altemus. Knickerbocker: sam /
Kiafta, White House Market, and w.
r de Graffe4nreid, White Front
Market.
The committee today intends to ex.
pedite the hearings and make an
early report An array Of council +
win assist in cross-examination.
Senator Townsend. chairman OF the
Senate Interstate Commerce subcom-
mittee appointed to report out legis-
lative remedies 70 reduce food prices
Is prepared to cooperate today with
the District subcommittee. c. r. Por-
ter, chief counsel OF the Federal Trade
and former Congressman
Miller OF Delaware are others who
viii assist the committee.
Witnesses are being put under oath.
Mr.. Whiteheld, OF the Old Dutch /
Market. which operates thirty-odd