Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-05
Money, Bacon and
Packers Profits

Chicago, Oct. ITO the Editor
Of The Bee: We have noticed in
The Bee Of September 10 communi-
cations which are printed under the
line about the Cost Of Living"
The Bee correspondent, who signs
himself 81. Phillipson, 1919 Daven-
port Street." finds fault with the
contention that there Is an over
abundance of money in the country,
and therefore that the 100-cent dol
lar is worth only about so per cent
in purchasing value. This idea, he
says, is probably the creation OF
some of our wise students in
economy and high financiering. Yet.
Mr.. Phillipson says, I'VE will admit
that money is plentiful; does--the
laborer and layman derive any
benefit from 1t at prevailing prices
Of necessities? No."
On his own statement, we believe
Mr.. Phillipson has demonstrated
cohvincingly the truth Of the asser-
ton which he denies. If, as he
says, there Is more money, yet no
more benefit from it, then 1t is
clearly shown that the purchasing
value of a dollar is diminishing.
MIR. Phillipson continues in the
discussion of cold STORAGE, which
he says makes for boarding. He
believes that perishable goods
should be sold direct to the con-
sumner from the producer In the
age should be done away with, Mr..
Phillipson makes no provision for
the scant season. If butter, eggs,
fruit and other commodities were
sold to consumers during the few
months of the year in which they
are plentifully produced, what
would be the situation during the
scant months when production falls
far below normal? Man is unable
to hibernate and we believe storage
of foodstuffs during times of plenty
is absolutely necessary to tide him
over times in the year when there
is scarcity of supply.
Mr.. Phillipson mentions some
army bacon which he purchased in
the Auditorium, paying "a or IS
cents a pound. when I got it
home" he says, II discovered that
it was nothing but half-cured SOW
belly, all fat, dear at Is cents a
pound, at today's prices 1 merely
mention this instance to show how
the combination of packers robbed
the government, and the govern
ment. to my understanding, is the
people, who eventually have to foot
the bills"
The facts about army bacon are
these: During war times. fats were
as badly needed as meat all over
the world, and particularly abroad
by our troops and by allied troops.
The food administration advocated
the raising of heavy hogs in order
to make up the necessary amount
OF fats. The product, which Mr..
Phillipson describes, was raised in
accordance with the food admins
tration's request, was accepted by
the government inspectors as pack
ed. The point which he makes
merely illustrates that army meats
were prepared for a necessary inn
portant purpose-for an emergency
and were carefully suited to the
demands They were in every
respect high grade products made
| of the best obtainable raw material.
ana cured under government speci-
flea lions.
y Mr.. Phillipson says: sect the
profiteers! Kill them or put them
| for life in the penitentiary and there
will be an end to profiteering."
AS a matter of fact, the packers
profits on all products, including by
products, average only a fraction of
a cent per pound sold. This is
proved by figures which have been
subject to audit by the Federal
Trade commission.
II there are any questions which
nave not been answered or any
points which have not been made
clear, the packers will welcome fur
tner inquiry. The packing Industry
as now organized will stand the
acid test of service and public de-
mand. and the packers desire the
fullest publicity on all it's phases.
w. w. WOODS.
Associate Director Bureau of Pub
| lie Relations, American y Meat
| Packers Association.