The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-07-08
Federal Supervision, Says De-
partment of Agriculture,
Only Way Open.
THE SUPPLY PLENTIFUL
There is No Need of Conserva-
tiOn But Producers are Los
ing Money and the Consumer
Pays the Price.

Washington, July Federal sup
ervision of the packing, sale and dis
tribution Of meat products was de-
clared by the department Of agricul-
ture to be the only solution for the
present situation in which meat
prices to the consumer are so high
that he is denying himself, and in
which prices for livestock, especially
beef and lambs, are so low that the
producer is losing money.
The department emphasized that
save food" signs should now be dis
carded as to meat. especially beef,
and wheat products. Faced by the
largest wheat crop on record and
with many cattle raised in response
to the demand for meat production
for the army now maturing, the
American people, the department as
serted, must realize that no necessity
for conservation Of such foods any
longer exists.
Prices Not Justified.
A survey of the meat price situa-
ton, the department said, reveals
that the excessive retail prices now
existing are not justified by whole
sale quotations. Prices to the pro-
ducers have declined since the war,
it was said, but prices paid by the
consumer have not materially les
sened. The only solution the de-
partment believes is more strict fed
eral supervision.
The entire meat situation, based
on conferences with senators and
representatives from livestock re-
sions, was summarized by the de-
partment as follows:
There is no longer need for meat
conservation. The supply is plenti-
full. and patriotic citizens may freely
disregard the meat saving placards
which are still displayed at many eat
ing places.
Europe Gets Surplus Pork.
Europe needs our surplus pork
but is filling it's beef requirements by
importations from South America
and Australia. Prices of beef cat
tie have fallen sharply since March
1 on account Of the stoppage OF ex-
ports for army use, and a slack de-
mand for beef at home, due to the
continuation of beef conservation un-
der the mistaken idea that such con-
servation is still necessary to feed
the people of Europe. Beef produc-
ers and lamb producers who sell
their products at this time are con-
fronted with the danger of heavy f.
nancial losses which would tend to
restrict production and cause a seri
Qua shortage in future
Only One Solution.
THE United States will never
have sufficiently permanent solu-
tion OF the problem until the manu-
facturc, sale and distribution of
meat products are officially supervis-
ed by authorized agents OF the gov
ernment, working in cooperation
with state and municipal authorities
whose only aim is TO serve the pub
lie at large and not any particular
class. When the federal government
is enabled by law to maintain just
supervision over the meat producing
industry that will prevent unfair
dealings, speculation and profiteering
by furnishing the public from an un-
impeachable source all the. facts with
regard to the industry and when the
states and municipalities are enabled
by law TO exercise similar supervision
ovver intrastate and local business
then only can we expect to have fair |
and stable markets in which produc-I
er and consumer alike will have a |
square deal"
COL. ROOSEVELT TO RUN.