The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-22
BUTCHERS REFUSE
TO LIMIT PROFITS
List of Margins Offered by
U. S. Administrator Stirs
Storm of Protest.
GROCERS ACCEPT RATES
Master Bakers Say They Can
not Bake Bread at Nine
Cents a Pound.
GRoCERS ACCEPT RATES

A committee OF retail grocers repre-
senting more than 1000 dealers in this
city agreed yesterday TO accept a sched-
ule Of marginal prices suggested by Ar
thur Williams, Federal Food Admins
traitor. with view to putting a tenn
porary check upon retail profteering.
A committee of butchers representing
the Ave borougns merely looked at a
similar profit cutting schedule and emit
ted a long wall OF protest. The butchers
wouldn't accede TO Mr.. Williams's sug-
gestion at all, and although they prom
ised to take the matter up and try and
arrange some schedule which will meet
his approval. they told reporters after
leaving his Office that they had no love
whatever for the idea.
A committee Of master bakers also
called Upon Mr.. Williams and amour ced
that they cannot continue making bread
at cents pound because of the present
high cost of material.
The butchers voiced their woes thus
The war IL over and we are entitled
to make what we can. There should
be no restrictions whatever placed upon
US"
The suggestion of Mr.. williams was
the adoption Of certain fixed margtnals
ranging from FIVE cents a pound on
! smoked shoulders Of pork to twenty-five
| cents a pound on cut cross ribs OF beef
| and covering such meats as are not
officially classified as luxurles. Although
mention was made at the conference
that the butcher makes a profit Of
more than four hundred per cent. or
hlet OF beef and a good substantial
/ rakeo6 on porterhouse. II was stated
| that these articles would not be included
| In any schedule.
| Split on PROFIT Question.
The butchers started on Mr.. Will
iams's list. and before they had gone
half way a storm broke over the ques
ton OF what should be a fair profit
August F. Grimm. president OF tn,
East Side branch Of the butchers or
ganization, said that they might wranglt
for a year over the question OF faii
maryinals, and Mr.. williams told hin
that the public would not care to wat
| a year. He suggested that they be fxeC
at once and the wrangling done after
ward.
To this the butchers objected upor
the ground that FIRST Impressions ar,
very lasting" and that II the publ
| were to get meat at too reasonable 1
rate at present. II would be difficult u
elevate the price 70 scale just and faiI
to the butchers at later date.
| Chagrin broke loose when Mr.. Grimm
accused Charles Grismer, national anC
State president Of the organization, o
whispering with Mr.. Williams. and de
manded that everything be done "upoI
and above board"
Mr. GrisrAr retorted that the remarl
was uncalled for, and said: Il saic
nothing to Mr. Williams that was So
cret. He merely asked to be enlightened
on some points pertaining 20 our buI
ness" The butchers finally agreed 4
have a committee call upon Mr.. William!
en- Tuesday for the purpose OF rear
hanging his marginal schedule.
Margin for Grocers.
The butchers expressed the Opinion
that they could hardly do more thai
give the public a 2-cent reduction OIL
the average article, and that II thi
is done II will deprive them OF thei