The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-20
new MARKET PLAN
Kansas Livestock Men Organ
lze To Stabilize Prices.
Eliminate Fluctuation Between
Shipping and Selling Dates.

Kansas livestock men have Joined
in an interstate movement, the pur-
pose of which is to stabilize the mar
ket prices of livestock and to protect
the producers of meat animals against
sudden fluctuations in the market,
which often mean financial loss or
ruin to men dealing in livestock on a
large scale. The livestock men desire
TO reach a mutual understanding with
the packers whereby market prices
will not operate radically and unex-
pectedly against the interests of the
producers.
1t was with this end in view that a
delegation of Kansas livestock men re-
Gently went to Chicago and met a
dozen of the leading packers of the
country. along with delegations from
other states of the central west, and
draw up plan for permanent or
ganization. J. H. Mercer, secretary of
the Kansas Livestock association and
state livestock sanitary commissioner.
will call a meeting of the Kansas
stockmen soon for the purpose of Sc
lecting three delegates from this state
to a general session of livestock men
of the central west. This latter meet
ten men who will represent the pro-
ducers on the central committee
This permanent committee will COM
prise besides the ten delegates of the
4. producers, representative
federal bureau of markets, two mem
bers of the National Livestock ex-
change. representing the commission
men, and ten packers total OF
twentysthree. Under the plan adopt
ed at the recent Chicago meeting, this
committee of twenty-three will meet
in Chicago once a month or oftener
Keep in Touch With Packers.
The direct aims of this central com
mittee, as announced by Commissioner
E Mercer are far reaching in effect, anC
plainly outline the plans of the pro-
ducer-thru this committee-to keeI
very closely in touch with the pack
e ers, big and small. Commissioner
Mercer made the following statement
The livestock producer lives il
constant dread of a market fluctua-
ton. OF late a drop of from a dollar
Z to a dollar and half hundred be-
. tween the time he ships his cattle an(
the time they aressold on the market
has not been uncommon. Such a con
dition, considering the high price o
feed and the large amount of capita
at stake, is a handicap to and ever
cripples the industry. On the othel
hand, when such fluctuations occur
one is not able to see where the con
sumner gets the benefit of the de
creased price. We are not makint
any rash predictions as to how sue
cessfully this plan will work out, blu
we hope ultimately to explore thorol.
the zone between the producer AM
the consumer to the benefit of boil
of them"
Draft a Shay Market Plan.
As to a method of stabilizing mar
ket prices, the report of the recen
Chicago meeting drafted q plan for
five-day market. The permanent com
mittee will solicit information con
corning livestock and feeding condi
lions. as well as grievances pertaining
to shipment and marketing. Sub
committee will be maintained at tn
large market centers for the immedi
ate adjustment of any grievances, sue
as dilatoTy handling of receipts, lat
buying, delayed weighing and tn
avoidancy of excessive varia tions i
the purchase price for the same grad
of livestock on the same day"
The Kansas delegation that met tn