The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-29
225,ooo,oo0 Lbs.
In Foreign Orders
Packers and Producers Meet
With Food Administration
and Agree on Prices for
Hogs.

Washington, Jan. 2s.--That close
association of packers and livestock
producer may result from their JOINT
meetings with the food admtnistra
ton was the statement of Thomas +
Wilson in approving the refixing of
the price of hogs at $3.50 at the join
meeting of representatives OF the
packers and livestock men, food ad-
IN inistration and the agricultural adj
yisory committee today.
The Joint action extends the presen
price on hogs to the farmer through
February. The packers agree to pa,
that price. This means there will b
no break in the price of pork pro-
ducts, no matter how heavy the move
ment to markets.
There was no suggestion that the
consumer should have voice in the
new understanding between the
packer and the livestock producer
and with the food administration
going out OF business on the deciara-
ton OF peace and the control of the
margin of profit the packer can make
on food products passing out with the
administration, the only control on the
limit which might be asked OF the
consumer would be the extreme
amount ne might be able 10 pay.
LIT makes no difference to the
packer whether he pays IL. IL or 4
cents for his hogs. as he makes the
same margin on profit no matter
what the price. But II is of impor-
lance TO the farmer and livestock
producer" said r. S. Snyder, head of
the meat division OF the food admin
istration. who presided at the con-
ference today.
Suggestion for another and differ
ent agreement TO stabilize the mar
ket and keep prices from breaking
was made by Mr.. snyder.
I'D suggest that the agricultural
get together to regulate the flow 81
hogs to the market" he urged.
He had pointed out that the use
of the railroad embargo and the
"whole-car" shipment plan had
operated to keep the market at an,
given point from being gutted and
prices during the period of food ad-
miniStration control. Some such
scheme worked out by the producers
and packers might help stabilize
prices. he thought.
I'VE arc Allocating the purchases
of the allies and handling the relief
should the allies continue their unified
buying and America go back to diver
sifed ceiling. the foreign centralized
buyer could dominate the American
market" -
When tho pacNers asked today be.
fore the flnal agreement to the $17. 50
price for definite information regard
ing foreign orders. because OF the big
stocks on hand. Mr.. Snyder told them
the food administration had total or
ders on hand for c25.00o.0 900 pounds
This apparently satisfied them
though they said through Mr.. Wilson
that their orders had been less than
they had been led to expect by the
food administration.
The orders now In hand include
l so, 900. 900 pounds for the relief oil
neutrals. s0,000.000 for Belgium. five
ship loads now loading for France
and five for Italy. French and Swiss
orders are temporarily tied up. while
large order from England Is ex.
pected II a big supply Of meat thai
Is too heavily salted for the English
taste, but is now in storage In Eng
, land. Is transferred to Southern
Europe. Seventy thousand tons 8
month Is to be allotted Germany, and
packers who can consign direct t.
their own agents in Europe and sci
their products direct will be AFFORDED
additional tonnage.