Evening star., 1920-03-08
WAR ON EXPENSIVE
CUTS Of MEAT MAY
LOWER FOOD COST
Department of Justice TAX
inq Concrete Action to
! Aid Consumer.

in the Department of Justices cam
paign to lower the high cost of living
was launched today. when it was an
nounced that within a few weeks an
intensive educational campaign to
materially lower the consuming pub
lies meat bill will begin.
The Department of Justice has test
ed the plan in several places in order
that its economic soundness might be
demonstrated Cooperation of retail
meat dealers throughout the country.
as well as the assistance OF the en-
tire packing industry. is expected by
the department.
The consumer will be acquainted
with the advantage of turning away
.rS- -Ha high-prIced cuts Of meat,
where li;S demand is now conccntrat-
ed. to the less costly cuts. which con-
stitute the bulk of the meat animal.
and which, when correctly prepared.
domestic science experts say, are OF
high nutritive value.
Purposes of Campaign.
The following statement explaining
the purposes of the campaign was
made public today by Howard Figg.
special assistant to the Attorney Cen
eral, in charge OF the government 5
anti-high- price crusade:
THE economic theory upon which
the department is proceeding has been
corroborated by other governmental
agencies in close touch with market
ing conditions. After an investiga-
tion of these conditions and expert
ments in limited localities. the De-
partment of Justice finds this situa-
tion existing with reference to the
purchase of meats at retail:
Those cuts of meat which are in
heaviest demand-so-called choice
steaks and rib roasts-constitute less
than one-fourth of the steer. This
concentration of demand on the por-
tionS which are available in the least
quantity has driven up the price of
the very cuts which are most popular.
Failure to take advantage of the
less costly cuts seems due to two
factors; lack of knowledge concern
ing the preparation of the inexpen-
sive pieces. and lack of information
ard Indifference on the part of the
housek eeper as to the high nutritive
value and palatability of such por-
tions.
Good Meat on Market.
LAS a consequence good meat at low
prices is dragging in the market.
while meat from the same animal
which is no more nourishins but is
mand. For example. recent wholesale
quotations from the western market
show that the best grade short ioins
(whence come fine SteakS) have been
selling wholesale as high as 50 cents
a pound: while the b.st s,rade Oh ,.rs
from the identical steer have been
selling at Is cents. The chuck por-
tion was raised on the same feed as
the loin portion. 1t would yield nu
tritious steaks. tasty roasts. pot
roasts. stews and corned beef.
liable d'hote luncheon menus very
clearly show that the metropolitan
hotels have learned the advantage of
using inexpensive cuts. The great
majority of the meat dishes in the
table d'hote luncheons OF many Well
known hotels and restaurants are
made from inexpensive cuts. Hus-
bands order and enjoy at luncheon
portions of meat which their wives
rarely or never buy for the home
table.
The housewife holds in her own
hand the remedy for very high meat
prices. By turning away from the ex-
pensive to the inexpensive cuts she
hot only will lower her own meat
bills, but will drive down the price
of the choice cuts; furthermore. she
will make it possible for meat to be
lmerchandised more economically. With
the present unequal demand for the
verted to other than its natural
uses and other meat is wasted. This
loss is ultimately borne by the con-
sumer.
Would Correct Situation.
The Department of Justice pur-
poses with the aid of the consumer
to correct this situation. Fair price
commissioners in every state will be
asked to direct and take part in the
campaign of education The matter
will be brought to the attention of
civic clubs and women's organiza-
tions Retailers, wholesalers and
packing companies throughout the
country will be asked to appoint con-
ference committees to cooperate
with the fair price commiss ioners.
Recipes. charts and posters will be
prepared and distributed widely. Spe-
cific weeks will be desi snated in va
rious parts of the country for fea-
turing the inexpensive cuts.
THE Department of Justice Will
keep a close eye on market condi-
tions to make sure that the consumer
receives good meat at low prices,
and that, if the consumer turns TO
the cheaper cuts, no Illicit profit shall
be taken thereon. Equalization OF de-
mand should make for better mer-
chandising and lower level of
prices At the present time hindquar-
ters of beef are selling for 10 cents
a pound more than forequarters OF
beef. Many persons seem to want the
meat which which can be prepared
uh1a-raQardloSS OF