Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-31
|SEYEN-CENT DROP
NBUTTER PRICE
Philadelphia Produce Market
Shows Further
Break -.

Philadelphia, Jan. 31.-Butter
prices yesterday recorded a seven
cent break, droppin to IS cents, and
indications are said to favor a
further decline. Heavy holdings be-
ing forced on the market through
the breaking of the European prices
under Australian shipments, dealers
say, is the cause directly back of
the big decline that started, more
than week ago. -,
Although the slump in the butter
price to consumers was effective be-
fore noon, the egg market remained
fairly rfirm until e-shading
started in the afternoon. Prices
continued to vary in different sec
tions. EGGS sold anywhere from 4s
cents to, 60 cents dozen. 1t is said,
however, that cheaper eggs are ine-
Vitable and that the drop in price
VIII be continuous until the normal
retail price, regulated by supply and
demand, is reached.
Meat dealers here yesterday in
sisted that the retail price of meat
Is the result of quiet combination
among the merchants to continue
the high-rice average. Middlemen
said that it explained the attitude
or the packers as expressed by the
big men dn the trade in Washington
this week, who, according to the
local dealers, have fallen in with the
governments demands and may be
expected to take advantage of the
situation created by the retail
dealers OF establish, under govern
ment supervision, chain meat mar
kets in all of hte larger cities.
Packers Urging Decrease
According to Information reach
ing here in meat trade circles. the
packers are urging decline In meat
prices, but have been unable TO
secure the cooperation of the retail
dealers and cooperation of the re-
tail dealers and this will be used by
the big interests to induce the gov
ernment to authorize a chain of re-
tail meat markets operated by the
packers .
Locally the purpose of the pack
ers, 1T is. said, will be to eliminate
the wholesale meat dealers. which
In turn would result in the elimina-
ton of the smaller retail dealers
to establish. under government su-
perVision, chai nmeat markets in all
or the larger cities. i
Packers Urging Decrease
according to information reach
ing here in meat trade circles. the
packers are urging a decline in meat
prices, but have been unable to
secure the cooperation of the re-
tai dealers and this will be used
py the big interests to induce the
to authorize chain of
retail meat markets operated by the
packers.
Locailyithe purpose of the packers
IL is said, will be to eliminate the
wholesale meat dealers, which in
turn would result in the elimination
oL the smaller retail dealers unless
tne atter came to an agreement
win the packers combination. The
meat situation here, 1t is said. is 4
paralelied all over the country by
similar situations, although in some
cities the retail dealers have seen
me handwriting on the wall and
nave refused to play the packers |
same as consistently as it has been
uone mere by maintaining wartime |
ket.
vegetables are scheduled, accord
ing to market factors, to join other
tooos on the toboggan slide. Potatoes
II Is SAID, will show drop of from
10 10 cents bushel within the
immediate future. Western mar
kets were reported here yesterday as
having already broken on potatoes
whlie other vegetables were, showing
wabbling disposition.