Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-06-05
MEAT CONDITIONS AND PRICES

evidence of educational progress.
MEAT CONDITIONS AND PRICES
The people of Vermont and other
States have been seeking cheaper beef. |
The fact that consumers of meat have |
the control Of the whole situation in
their own hands is doubly manifest at
this particular time. While conditions
in Europe are favorable to large ex-
portation of beef and other meat prod
ucts, with a consequent upward trend
in values. the general movement
throughout the United States to use
substitutes for beef is forcing the
packers to adopt lower prices for that
product in an effort to encourage an in
crease in consumption.
The statement issued by the bureau of !
public relations, American Meat
Packers association, says that while
beef is in reality already cheaper than
pork. poultry and mutton. there will
the next few days. The reasons
advanced for this trend downward are
varied. Cheaper, grass-fed cattle, which |
hitherto have not been plentiful. are now
moving to market Exports of beef from
the United States have practically
ceased. The government has stopped
buying. 1t may take a few days for the
lower price to reach the consumer. APP
probable time elapses between arrival of
cheaper steers at markets and the ap-
pearance of beef from those steers on
the consumers tables The retailer can
not lower his prices until he replenishes
his stock of beef at the reduced figures
expect d.
The statement concludes with this
significant paragraph: From all in
dicatons it seems fairly certain that
although depletion of European herds
and unprecedented demands will hold
meat prices above normal, nevertheless,
a decrease in the wholesale and SUBJ
sequently in the retail price of beef is
Immediately at hand. It is thought that
the consumption Of beef then may be
greatly increased"
Some of the conditions abroad which
would tend to force the prices Of beef
in an upward direction are summarized
by Thomas E. Wilson, just returned
from Europe. The seriousness of the
situation, said Mr.. Wilson, is clearly
shown by the results of superficial
survey Of an area Of 1900 miles in oc-
cupied German territory, regarded as
part Of the best agricultural section of
the country The figures show there are
in that section 100 horses, 900 cattle
and 1,500 hogs-less than one horse. 1 l..
cattle and one hog a square mile.
He shows that the cows are worked in
the fields or on the roads, as we'll as
MIXED. and they cannot be spared for
meat. There is a great shortage of milk
This is an indication of the condition
which exists largely through the Central
Powers. They have not livestock
enough to breed so that they may again
build up their herds even II no cattle
were used for immediate food emergen-
cies.
This same condition exists, of course
to lesser degree. in the allied and
neutral countries. where, because Of the
very high prices realized for fats and
meats and the lack of cattle feeds, their
herds have been reduced to a minimum.
1t will be a long time before thew can
fully supply their own requirements. SO
their suffering neighbors will get little
help from them.
1.-THE problems Of the American people
In this grave situation are many and the
responsibilities are tremendous says Mr.
Wilson" I believe the solution rests
largely with us, No country in the
world to-day is so we'll equipped to meet
the situation. The American farmer
must undertake for humanitys sake the
production of grain and meat animals to
I. civilization and himself The markets of
The world are his IL the situation other
wise is intelligently handled.
MANY of the foreign countries cannot
maintain a good basis. and we must
share in solving this problem Above
oil. America must approach this task
with solid front-the farmer. the
laborer. capital and government, as well
as industry generally. must honestly.