The Corpus Christi caller. [volume] (Corpus Christi, Tex.) 1918-1987, 1919-08-09

f,ople ~ Eurone cnn secure hog pro-
ducta and that is largely the reason WHY
hog prices continued 20 climb even
while hoef WAS falling OF n few woekn
tEo This drup Boz prices $50 alarmed
he heof producers that they iraugu-
ated am advertising campaign to in
'fease tho use of beef and lamb. and
hiH campaign. together with the dis
appearance of surplus beef stuckH has
iuged demand 10 again catch up with
production and FOR week or more past
he packers have had Co engage actively
% buying beef cattle 90 fill orders
and tho result has been stronger prices
% the cattle market
with respect TO the shipment or
breeding animals tc Europe, Europe has
iord for f. considerable number. II
ieems 10 me. but not enough have been
cont or are in prospect ~ being Gent
% make such expectations an import.
mt factor in the present price"
Answers Recent Charges.
Mr. Armour paused leaned forward
10 his chair. and began what might be-
termed his answer 20 the recent charges
IT the food administration that the
Big Five" control food prices
n Just want 90 seize this Opportunity
% say few words about the legislation
fhnt has been proposed al Washington. q"
aid the legislation which its ndvo-
'ates promise the consumer viii lower
ho price 90 meat and which they prom
see the producer viii make his live
dock worth more II becomes appar-
nt to any one who studies the situa
ion that in the very nature Of things
come one is being fooled-the i.G per
'ent profit on volume which the food
administration showed the packers
made last year ana which is about the
usual rate. cannot De- Ho divided be-
ween the producer and the consumer
hat 10 lH going tu mean anything TO
ither of them.
yet because prices arc high certain
rifles of the big packers are seeking
10 enact laws that will cripple packer
activities. want tn say that the laws
which have been proposed cannot do
ithcr than lessen the efficiency ~ the
Yig packers and any lesaeued efficiency
means higher rather than lower prices
ID the consumer
I hope the Trlbuno'q readers wili n-
tcrest themselves in this whole matter
to the extent of finding out what the
FACTS really are
Meat prices are high as compared
% the priccs that ruled before the war
bat they are low as compared with the
levels that other basic foods have al
nincd. and they are low compared to
the prices which would ln an likelihood
NifNNN ~ iNv fiINltntN OF int present
packing industry Us ruined hy legisla-
lion based on misunderstanding. mis-
apprehension. ana ungrounded prelu-
lice Ion the theory that the price ~
meat can bee reduced ahd the price OF
meat animals raised by one and the
same law
Requires Twofoid Action.
The remedy for the present high
prices requires twnfold action First
nd foremost, world production OF food
md is going To- make some tremendous
Nertions Go get production there back
90 IL normal basis. They need money 10
rehuhilitatr the farms and factories and
aplenish the meat herds The people
u tais country have great share OF
he worlds gold, and Il is incumbent
upon American business men aud the
government Of the United States 20 ar
range long term credits. $50 that Europe
VIII have the money IL needs iu grt
.hings going again.
SECONDLY the arbitrary fixing OF
prices and conditions iH an lines Of bus
mess during the war hY oar govern
mcut WAS essentially necessary. Pro
ductiun, regardless ~ price, was the AN
Important object The war han ter
minated ana tho sooner the goNernmenl
rclnQuishra arbitrary power over al
lines uf human ondeuyor other than
those purely governmental in func
lion the sooner viii our country be ou
ts way back To- normal conditions
whore the old economic law at suppls
| ana demand VIII govern and equaliz,
] tu tine satisfaction and Coutcntmcut Ol
| 1ur 10000. Uuu people"