The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-06-19

patriotic duty during the war, has, to
q certain extent become a habit. es-
pecially among the trade accustomed
to choice beef We think that the
people of this country are still con-
serving beef for three reasons:
First, because OF the wartime prop
uganda.
Second, because wartime prices
made 1t necessary for many families
to economic.
Third, because many people be-
lieve that by abstaining from beef now
q supply will be made available which
is sorely needed by European coun-
tries.
THE last, we think, is wrong con-
ception, because few refrigerator
boats are available to transport beef
to Europe. Owing to the ending of
the war. practically all dressed beef
from this years killing has been sold
on the domestic market, resulting, so
far as Swift & Co. are concerned, In
approximately 100000 pounds more
beef to be sold through domestic chan
nels during May this year than last
Taking all packers into considera-
ton, this would probably amount to
so 200, 900 to 10O,000,000 pounds in
crease in the supply for May this year
for domestic consumption"
If what Mr.. Swift says is the gospel
truth 1t presages serious condition
as to cattle marketing little later,
and has already been reflected IN the
decline in cattle as recently comment
ed upon in this paper. Our readers
will remember our statement as to a
cut in wholesale prices OF all fresh
meats in New York, owing to over-sup-
ply, about ten days ago. But present
| ~ the surplus was cleaned up and
prices advanced more than fifty per-
cent Of the cut, in single day.
| What Mr.. Swift tells us as to scare
/ ity of refrigerator room in outgoing
ships makes no difference as to the
shipment of smoked and picked meats
or lard, for which there is a tremend-
GUS demand abroad. Get up on the
roof and contemplate the wholesale
price of lard, the highest for hog fat
since Noah parked his ship on the
peak of Ararat.
And what of ham and bacon, my
jcountrymen? We might give you the
figures at the packing houses and lard
lrefineries, but what's the use-they
change every market hour. Nor need
we descant on retail prices here at
home. The subject is too painful on
this melting day, and besides you
know all about that end Of the story,
You can tell it even better than we
can.
i In a careful review covering the
past three days, and from every avail
able source of information, we are
fain to admit that there is no material
decline in sight or in prospect, of any
! food product whatsoever. AS to Der
ries and garden vegetables, these are
a matter of daily supply; also as te
the number of home gardens, properly
} planted and cared for. But of the
: things for which we depend upon the
! grocer, nothing seemingly has down
, ward tendency. To the contrary We
may even expect higher prices thi:
: fall than last on some Of the fooC
, staples, and on practically every ar
Iticle consumed in the home. We un
J derstand, however, that we will still
, be able to buy dollar at any banl
for 100 cents, regardless of all othel
, fluctuations in price.
While we find no consolation in TIT
| fact it will nevertheless be interesting
: to state that British food experts tel
us that conditions in regard to sup
plies and prices are now very littl,
; better than they were last summe
: while the war was still raging on ev
cry front. There was some natura
J decline on the signing of the armistic,
, and for some time after, but the Lon
don Times now says that the food pc
sition now lis but little better than i
: was in July last year, at a critica
/, period of the war" 1t is also fearet
that some food staples will be still
higher next winter, thought in whicl
: no one can find comfort.
: We had hoped to have gone int
2 some detail as to prices abroad, b,
l comparison. but space does not nov
5 permit. What has been written is 70
2 the information and benefit of gu
!, readers, for they are entitled to al
2 the facts obtainable on this vastly i'm
portant subject. We wish we nigh
;, have been able to paint a differen
picture but the facts, as we see them
! do not permit of more cheerful CO
a loring.