The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-05
U. S. SUPERVISOR OF
MEAT SALES URGED
Department of Agriculture De-
clares It the Only Way to
Help Consumers.
RETAIL PRICE NOT JUST
Statement Says Need for
Economy in Beef and Wheat
No Longer Exists.
RETAIL PRICE NOT JUST

WARRINGTON, July 4.--Federai super
vision of the packing. sale and distribu-
ton of meat products was declared by
the Department OF Agriculture TO be
the only solution for the present situa-
ton, in which meat prices to the con-
sumner are SO high that he is denying
himself and in which prices for live
stock. especially beef and lambs, are so
low that the producer is losing money.
The Department emphasized that save
food" signs should now be disregarded
as TO meat, especially beef and wheat
products. Faced by the largest wheat
crop on record and with many cattle
raised In response TO the demand for
meat production for the army now
maturing the American people. the De-
partment asserted. must realize that no
necessity for conservation OF such foods
any longer exists.
A survey OF the meat price situation,
the Department said, reveals that the eX-
cessive retail prices now existing are
not justified by wholesale quotations.
Consumer Is the Victim.
Prices to the producers have declined
since the war, IL was said, but prices
paid by the consumer have not mate
rally lessened The only solution, the
Department believes, is more strict Fed
eral supervision.
The entire meat situation, based on
conferences with Senators and represen-
tatives from live stock producing regions.
was summarized by the Department as
follows:
There is no longer need for meat
conservation. The supply il plentiful,
and patriotic citizens may freely dis
regard the meat saving placards which
arS still displayed at many eating
places.
Europe needs our surplus pork, but
is filling its beef requirements by i'm
portations from South America and Aus
tralia. Prices of beef cattle have fallen
sharply since March l on account of
the stoppsge Of exports for army use,
and a slack demand for beef at home,
due to the continuation OF beef conser-
walton under the mistaken idea that
such conservation is still necessary 10
feed the people Of Europe. Beef pro-
ducers and lamb producers who sell
their products at this time are con-
fronted with the danger of heavy fnan-
cial losses which would tend TO restrict
production and cause serious short
age in future.
Must Have Supervision.
THE United States will never have a
satisfactory and permanent solution OF
the problem until the manufacture. sale
and distribution of meat products are
officially supervised by authorized agents
of the Government, working in coopera-
ton with State and municipal authori-
ties, whose only aim is to serve the pub
lie at hrge and not any particular class.
when the Federal Government Is en-
abled by law to maintain a just super
vision over the meat producing industry
that will prevent unfair dealings, specu-
lation and protiteering. by furnishing the
public from an unimpeachable source all
the facts with regard TO the industry,
and when the States and municipalities
are enabled by law to exercise similar
supervision over intrastate or local
business, then only can we expect TO
have fair and stable markets in which
producer and consumer alike will have a
square deal"