The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-20
NO BOOST In MEAT,
THREE PACKERS SAY
Oscar s. Straus as Public's
Representative, Wins Com
panies' Promise.
SIX REFUSE GUARANTEE
All Wholesale Dealers VIII
Open Their Books for Com
mittee's Inspection.


difficult JOB as the public's representa-
| tive on the wholesale meat dealers com
mittee of the Fair Price Committee by
sitting with the members Of the COM
mittee. nearly all Of whom are connected
with concerns Identified with the big
packing interests, popularity known as
"the Big Five"
Every wholesaler expressed desire
TO cooperate to the limit with Mr.. Straus
and Arthur Williams, Federal Food Ad-
ministrator for this city, in the present
food campaign now being directed by
A. Mitchell Palmer. Attorney-General OF
the United States. Each told Mr.. Straus
that his particular company now is and
| long has been losing money on the
wholesaling Of meats in this city. All
| agreed to open the books of their con-
Germs here for examination By any expert
| public accountant Mr.. Straus may name,
| in order that their statements NAV be
verified. Several said the sooner the ex-
animation starts the better they will
| like It.
| In the early part OF the unique pro-
ceedings Mr.. Straus wanted the whole
| saiers to agree not to increase meat
prices pending the determination of his
| investigation. Three promised, as far as
there would be no advances until Mr..
| Straus felt that increases in wholesale
| prices were justified.
The remaining six members of the
committee explained they were in no
posit on to enter into any such agree
ment, several saying the law OF supply
| and demand had to settle the question
of prices
strou. Il. paIn,arss NJouthnfece
Mr.. williams, in introducing the pub
| lies representative to his fellow com
mitteemen, said Mr.. Straus Is ''in n
sense the mouthplece Of the Attorney
, General in reference to fair practices
and fair prices"
without consulting with the mem
bers OF our committee" said w. II.
Noyes. vice-president Of Swift & Co.,
chairman OF the wholesale meat dealers
committee" and at the suggestion OF
Mr.. Williams. I believed 1t would be
splendid thing to have Mr.. Straus sit
| in and find out what we are doing.
Whatever we can do to keep meat prices
within reason we shall do.
II arm speaking for Swift & Co. of the
| cattle. sheep, lambs, &C., slaughtered
here" Mr. Moves continued. THE bust
ness has been very Improbable for sew
eral months. 1t has shown a loss Our
books are open to you, Mr.. Straus, for
any inspection you wish to make. I am
sure We all stand ready to cooperate to
the fullest extent with you and Mr.
Williams"
rs 1t correct that you wish me to rep
resent the general public?" asked Mr..
| Straus
st is," all hands replied In chorus
Mr.. Straus said that bread is the
stat OF life," but he thought that meats
are the two legs on which lie rests"
IF you came here for the purpose of
reducing meat prices" he went on. ~
| could, as the representative OF the public
accept all the reductions you would
make. II, on the other hand, you came
| forward with a request to raise prices
the responsibility would be grave
should have to certify your figures. There
ought not to be any changes In increasing
prices pending the investigation of your
/ figures"
| There is not AMMAN in this conference
| who isn't most anxious to stand better
with the public" Mr. Noyes said. Gov
eminent agencies have accused packers
OF unfair practices, with profiteering.
and Of being combinations In restraint
! OF trade, and of course they stand in
an unfavorable light with the public
| Speaking for Swift & Co., we do
think you should verify the statement
have made that our business for the
last few months has been unprofta BILE
I'll say so far as Swift & Co. is con-
| cerned We will not raise prices until
| you feel convinced we should get a bet
ter price than we are getting to-day
Leo Joseph, vice-president OF the New
York Dressed Beef Company a subsid-
| larry of Armour & Co, and Irving Blu
menthal, treasurer OF the United Dressed
Beef Co, subsidiary of Swift & Co.,
declared they were In accord with Mr.
| Noyes's statement and his promise OF
no increase In prices pending Mr.. Strauss
| investigation. The other members OF the
committee, however. while confirming the
| statement that their companies are losing
money, explained they could not go so
far as to guarantee not TO increase
| prices. They were: A. II. Van Pelt
representing Armour Co. in the opera
ton OF its Western branch houses, metro
politan section; I, Stiefel. representing
Wilson & Co.'S branch houses; A. f.
| Glasgow. Indianapolis Abattoir, Com
pany; F. l.. Bisbee. president OF Joseph
Stems Sons Morris & Coz ; Charles
]. Higgins, Morris & Co, Western branch
houses, metropolitan district; George ],
Edwards. Swift & Co. Western branch
! houses, metropolitan district.
Declare Business Is bad.
Each man had his say as TO poor
business conditions and open competition
! in the wholesale meat market. and Mr.
Straus made everybody laugh by saying
that as long as prices were down he
wouldn't bother anybody.
81 appeal to you, and through you to
your parent companies" Mr.. Straus said
mot to make further advances till the
reconstruction period Is over, and help
us stabilize matters as much as you can,
The fact that you are here willing TO
help Mr.. Williams shows that you are
patriotic. But the vicious circle. in
creased wages, increased prices, is the
danger that confronts the country. Even
II there IL a little loss take It back to
the time large profits were made. Don't
rock the boat until things get stabilized.
Things will adjust themselves In the
United States quicker than in any other
country, I appeal to you TO help us"
Mr. Straus proposes TO start his an
spection OF the local packing house books
as soon as possible.
The retail price OF Jewish bread viii
not be raised. 1t will remain at . cents
a pound. This fact was announced last
evening by Administrator Williams. fol-
lowing the submission Of a report OF the
subcommittee OF the Fair Price Com.
mlttee, Louis Marshall chairman. which
made an exhaustive investigation.
The request that representatives OF
tail price for Jewish bread came from
! Bakers. The master bakers set up the
| I1..rN n