The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-08

Washington. p. c., July 6.-The de-
;partment of agriculture issues the fol-
lowing statement:
| With meat prices to the consumer SO
high that he is denying himself. and
with the prices for live stock, espe-
lcially beef and lambs. so low to the
producer that he is actually losing
money, the nation is confronted with a
grave problem which requires solution
If we are not to suffer a decline in
the live stock industry.
1t is an anomalous situation. The
department has endcavored to inform
itself on the subject. and after con-
ference with senators and members of
the house who represent livestock pro-
tducing regions and who also feel deep
Econcern for the welfare of consumers.
deems it important to give to the pub
lie certain outstanding facts, which
may be summarized as follows:
/ There is no longer need for meat
iconserya ton. The supply Is plentiful,
and patriotic citizens may freely dis
regard the meat saving placards which.
are still displayed at many eating
places.
/ Europe needs our surplus pork, but
is filing its beef requirements by i'm
! portations from South America and
Australia Prices of beef cattle have
fallen sharply since March ! on ac-
count of the stoppage of exports for
larmy use and a slack demand for beef
i at home due TO the continuation of
beef conservation under the mistaken
idea that such conservation is still ne
lcessary to feed the people of Europe.
Beef producers and lamb producers
who sell their products at this time
are confronted with the danger of
i heavy financial losses which would
tend to restrict production and cause a
serious shortage in future.
7 The United States will never have a
satisfactory and permanent solution of
the problem until the manufacture,
sale and distribution of meat products
are officially supervised by authorized
agents of the government. working in
cooperation with state and municipal
authorities, wtTUsv unfy afTTT rs TO sErvE
I the public at large and not any par
iticular class
When the federal government is en-
lahled by law to maintain Just super
vision over the meat-producing indus
try that will prevent unfair dealings,
speculation and profiteering. by fur
nishing the public from an unimpeach-
able source all the facts with regard to
the industry. and when The states and
MUNICIPALITIES are enabled by law to
exercise similar supervision over intra-
state and local business, then only can
I'VE expect TO have fair and stable mar
kets in which producer and consumer
alike will have square deal
/, Beef Industry Crisis.
/ Some of the particulars of the sit
iuation are as follows:
The beef industry in the United
States faces a most serious crisis For
Ia decade before the outbreak of war
lin Europe farmers and rarchmen ha1
been urged to increase beef cattle pro
sduction because the industry was not
! keeping pace with the growth or pop
Eulation. The lowect ebb in production
was reached in tho fiscal year ended
June 90, 1914. when we practically
ceased to have fresh dressed beef for
export, but began to import II from
the Southern hemisphere.
The campaign for increased produc-
/ ton began to bear fruit with the out
break of the war and beef again gained
volume in our exports. Prices rose
and farmers were encouraged to ex-
raud their heef-making operations
with the entrance of the United
States into the war vigorous ana
successful effort was made to increase
the supply Of meat for our army. espe-
sciafiy beef. by civilian self denial TO-
itels and restaurants, at the request OF
the government, reduced the size OF
their beef portions and regularly left
beef off their menus. Private families
by thousands did likewise,
Farmers and ranchmen exerted
themselves to the utmost at great risk
in order that our soldiers and sailors
could have the best food that skill and
loving care could produce. The result
is history. From an export of beef
and beef products of $4,000, 600
pounds in 1914, we exported 100000
900 pounds OF beef and beef products
I'm l91S--almost equalling the great
surplus OF 1901. when our population
was 35,o00.oo0 people less than now.
The exports OF 1918 were treble the
ithree-year pre-war average.
The war is over.
In a little while the presence OF
American soldiers in Europe will be
a memory of noble sacrifices. We
must not forget that the principal use
for the beef which we shipped over
seas in such quantity was for the men
lin uniform. Europe, short OF food
Though 1t Is, does not need beef from
1.-THE United States so much as 1t needs
Jour pork. The stocks OF cattle in the
lmost of Europe have not suffered serf-
.iously in numbers during the war.
Indeed. outside the areas actually
loverrun by the contending armies, cat
tile stocks have fairly held their own
land in some cases even increased.
IStocks OF hogs and sheep have suffered
much more severely than have cattle.
lit is also well known that Europe
turned to South America and Australia
for beef and lamb as soon as shipping
conditions permitted. England and
Italy are now buying in those mar
ketE-
The United states. however. IL ths
only large pork surplus nation. and
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