The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-26
Wholesalers SAY
DECLINE IN PORK
Retailers Invited to Meeting Of Fair
Price Committee Remain Away
Without Explanation

Retailers Invited to Meeting Of Fair
Price Committee Remain Away
Without Explanation
Wholesale meat dealers told the
fatr-pricc committee yesterday that
there had been a decline of from If
Teen to eighteen per cent in the price
OF pork and pork products within the
past thirty days. The only retailer
present. S, l. Eichei, was not uueried
on this point. He testified that all
grades OF beef had declined on an
average of two cents a pound.
The packers stated that they were
selling pure and compound lard at a
loss OF several cents per pound as a
result of the rapid decline in the mar
Ket. Prices quoted by the various
representatives varied several cents
on lard and other pork products.
Armour's price on bacon being from
~ to ~ cents; Swift's from 80 to AZ
cents and wilson's from SO to as
cents. This was attributed to the diff
terence in quality.
Although every wholesaler invited
was present, only one OF the six re-
failers invited was In attendance.
Baker Bros, the Sanitary Market, the
west End market, Leighton's mar
ket and w. III. Heibig and Son had no
representatives at the conference and
sent no explanation OF their absence.
Henry n. McVey. OF Kinghan and
Co., told the committee that prices
on meats were fixed according to local
competition. with an eye kept on the
COST All Of the packers denied
knowledge OF any agreement to AK
prices on any product A. d. Watson.
or Wilson and Co., said that COM
pound lard that cost 81 to IS cents
was selling at present for rs cents.
due to the decline in pork.
Kingan, Morris, Wilson. Forbes,
swift and Armour had representatives
at the conference. When the ques-
lion OF standardizing meat products
was introduced by Acting Chairman
Morton II met with an obvious lack
OF enthusiasm. Neither the whole
salers nor the one retailer present
felt that 1t could be done O. II.
Landrum. of Armour and Co, said that
prices on all meat products had in
creased from to 20 cents during the
war.
Acting Chairman Morton endeavor-
ed TO solve some of the vaunted
mysteries of the meat business by
querying Mr., Eichei on the subject OF
beef, but Mr.. Eichel was unable to
enlighten him. He said that a side
OF beef weighed 800 pounds that it
was hard to tell what percentage of
II would bring top prices and that he
was sure no one could be found who
could tell him.
The committee was trying to recon
cile the wholesale quotation of twenty
ono to twenty-five cents with the price
OF ffty-fve cents charged for the best
beef. Mr.. Morton tried to get at the
average price by inquiring what per-
centage of 1t sold for the much men,
toned eight and nine cents, but finally
gave 1t up as bad job
Only three members OF the commit
tee were present, these being Acting
Chairman Morton, r. w. Merchant and
Mrs Stuart Michaux. Hugh Antrim,
who Is said to have resigned, did not
inform the committee that he would
either be present or absent. Four other
members were unaceounted for.
The next meeting of the committee
VIII be held at noon Saturday. Mr.
Marion stated yesterday that the COM
nlttee's energy would be concentrated
on food and fuel for the present, al
though other comm ODDITIES would be
dealt with In time. He made the
following statement TO the committee
"Pph taNNhtN hitt tHdiT
TN assuming the temporary chair
manship of this committee I am inn
pressed with the Importance OF the
work before US and with the necessity
of rapid, though careful. procedure.
While every line of business should be
investigated and those found guilty
OF exacting excessive profits. through
combination or otherwise, should be
prosecuted and exposed 1t is my idea
fret "A -
Vestigate the high cost of food and fuel
Some things we can do without, but
the necessities OF life we must have
every day and with the cost of food
going higher every month while wage
carners. asking fer Increase 10 meet the
prices are trying TO await the time
until the country can adjust itself to a
normal basis. there is no. wonder at the
Industrial unrest 40 evident on all
sides
since. my connection with this com
mittee I have been informed by some
local authorities that there are sew
eral avenues by which we can reach
the protitecrs and. II the laws arc not
far-reaching enough TO secure that re-
suit, they should be changed 70 meet
the present-day conditions Every man
in business should be allowed to make
reasonable profit and in turn. should
be willing to give information con-
corning his business TO a committee
duly authorized and representing the
public with whom he deals.
with the thoughts just expressed
in mind. have notified representatives
of dealers in meats. both wholesale and
retail to attend this meeting and to
make a statement for the information
of this committee. and I trust this ac-
ton meets with your approval"