The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-06-20
F Finance, ,Real Estate and Insurance

beef prices are CD the increase in the discontinuance of the outlets that were formerly provided by supplying the United States Government and Allies, and CD a decrease in domestic demanG as an outgrowth of conservation pro- paganda.
 Considera ble quantities of the beef from cattle slaughtered during the first few months of 1918 were frozen for shipment overseas, or chilled for the cantonments in the United States, and commencing about May, 1918, and continuing monthly throughout the year, the United States Food Admin istration placed orders with American packers for from 6O,000,0OO to 1OO,- 00O,000 pounds of beef per. month which was shipped for the use of the United States and the Allies.
 But owing to the ending of the war, practically all dressed beef from this years killing has been sold on the dom estic market, resulting, so far as Swift and Company is concerned, in approximately 20,000,000 pounds more beef to be sold through domestic channels during May this year than last. Taking all packers this would probably amount to 60,O00,O00 to 1O0,-
 
 for May this year for domestic con sumption.
 Prospects for June are about the same. Therefore until the domestic demand can be increased, there will be a surplus of dressed beef on the United States market.
 Voluntary conservation of meat and other food products, which became a patriotic duty during the war, has to
 l.. pecially among the trade accustomed to choice beef. We think the people of this country are still conserving in the use of beef for three reasons:
 First, because the wartime propa- ganda, urging conservation of food stuffs, has never officially been can celled.
 Second, because wartime prices made it necessary for many families to economize. This meant in many cases material decrease in the de- mand for beef at previous prices.
 Third, because apparently many people believe that by abstaining from beef now, supply will be made avail able which is sore1y need by European countries.
 The last we think is wrong con- ception, because very few refrigerated boats are available to transport this beef to Europe. The refrigerated boats, which, during the war, were carrying beef from the United States to England and the Continent, were boats brought into this service from South American and Australian trade. These have returned, generally speak ing, to their regular routes, and there is, therefore, very limited space in which to ship befe from the United State to Europe. This does not apply to pork, which is cured and does not require refrigerated space. For sev- eral years prior to the war the United States was not considered a beef ex- porting country.
 During each of the five months from January through May, Swift & Companys business on dressed beef shows substantial losses. Live cattle have been bringing relatively such high prices that in order to sch the dressed beef it had to be sold on market at a loss to the packer, after giving full In other words, the market price for to give Swift & Comanyp a profit even on their beef business.
 The government report of May 31, mentioned above. also states that cur rent prices for packer hides at Chi-H cago average about 38 cents per pound for cows, and Al cents for steers, representing an increase of about 14 and Il scenta respectively over April Swift q Companyss rec .drda. conf lrm this statement. ( ZHi4 21lnk G(zxo h 3Zo qi5(1 =r< sSz 7 t' 5S zs, Z slSzft55z