The sun., 1919-07-08
CHARGES ALL MEAT
BUYERS ARE ROBBED
Ousley Asks Federal Action
to End Profiteering Between
Producer and Consumer. y
BIG DROP IN BEEF PRICES
Acting Head Of Agriculture
; Department Gives Figures
to Show Need Of Control.
Special Despatch TO tn, SUE.

WASHINGTON, July THE American
public is being robbed on practically all
OF its purchases Of meats. according to
an Official statement from the Depart
ment Of Agriculture. This statement
over the signature of Acting Secretary
Clarence Ousley, tends to show gross
profteering in meats at the expense OF
both the producers and the consumers
Prices are quoted which show prohteer-
ing somewhere between the wholesalers
and the retailers.
The Department makes a clear case
in that live stock prices have dropped as
much as IS per cent. while retail prices
in the cities OF the country have re-
mained about the same and in some
Instances have even gone higher in the
last few months.
Acting Secretary Ousley says the sit
uation is n grave one and he asks for
Federal. State and municipal control OF
the industry as affording the only rem
edy and protection for the public and
producers. His arraignment OF the meat
handling industry Is a strong one and
one that is likely to start another Con-
sress investigation Of meat products.
The Department of Agriculture state
ment In part follows:
SO high that he is denying himself and
with the prices for live stock, especially
beef and lambs SO low TO the producer
that he is actually losing money, the ma
ton Is confronted with grave problem
which requires solution IL we are not
to suffer a decline in the live stock in
dustry.
At is an anomalous situation. The
Department had endeavored to inform
an hn alt nd ~
ference with Senators and members of
the House who represent live stock pro-
ducing regions and who also feel deep
concern for the welfare of consumers
deems 1t important to give to the public
certain outstanding facts which may be
summarized as follows:
There is no longer need for meat
conservation. The supply is plentiful and
patriotic citizens may freely disregard
the meat saving placards which are still
displayed at many eating places.
Europe needs our surplus pork, but ID
filling its beef requirements by importa.
lions from South America and Australia
Prices of beef cattle have fallen sharply
since March l on account of the stoppagt
OF exports for army use and q slack de.
mand for beef at home, due to continue.
ton of beef conservation under the mis-
taken idea that such conservation IL
osAii hSNtSSdlS " lttu people OF t4u
rope. Beef producers and lamb pro
ducers who sell their products at thi.
time are confronted with the danger o
heavy financial losses. which would tent
to restrict production and cause a Sc
rious shortage in future.
THE United States will never have
satisfactory and permanent solution o
the problem until the manufacture, sail
and distribution of meat products are of
ncially supervised by authorized agent
OF the Government, working in coopera
ton with State and municipal authori
ties, whose only aim Is to serve the pub
lie at large and not any particular class
When the Federal Government is en-
abled by law TO maintain just supervi
sion over the meat producing industr.
that Will prevent unfair dealings. specu
lation and proilteering by furnishing III
public from an unimpea enable source al
the facts with regard to the industry
and when the States and municipalitie
are enabled by law to exercise simila
supervision over intrastate and loca
business, then only can we expect 4
have falN and stable markets in whicl
producer and consumer alike will have .
square deal"