Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-03-31
Of Cheaper
Meats Cuts Urged
On Housewives

Washington. Mar. s1.-1n response
to inquiries as to whether the am
paign to Save Money on Neat by
utilization Of the less costly cuts. espe-
eially those from the fore-quarter. VIII
have a tendency to raise prices Of suea
cuts. the department OF justice today
issued the following statements
''The effect on retail prices TO the
consumers of the campaign TO save
Money on Meat by utilization Of the
less costly cuts is indicated clearly In
the conclusion reached by the bureau
of markets. United States department.
of agriculture. with its unequalled
knowledge Of marketing problem. that
if people would use more Of the less
costly portions their doing so would re-
duce prices of living and prices Of
meat as a whole would be greatly re-
dueed and would be more stable.
Cheap Cuts Wasted.
''The facts, with reference 10 the ef-
feet of the camapign on prices, ara as
follows:
AT the present time. neglect OF Zine
less costly cuts Of meat. especially
those from the fore-quarter, has re-
tarded the sale and distribution of
these cuts. has thus caused proper
tionately greater s~hrinkage and dimin-
ished volume: has caused some meat
literally to be wasted; has caused nu-
merous retailers to chop and sell to
hotels and others, meat cut $ which
could be used by the consumer to bet
ter advantage in it's u%nchopped form,
and has increased the retailers over
head.
Every particle OF the loss, shrink
age and wastage has been borne by the
consumer in the price of all meat
which he does buy. The extent Of the
loss, shrinkage and wastage can be
appreciated If 1t Is remembered that
the less costly ~cuts-whioh excludes
the ribs and loins-constitute about
three-fourths of the meat animal.
Cooperation Sought.
Popular support of the depart
ment's campaign to a v money OF
meat by utilization of the less costly
portions is fastening distribution and
minimizing waste and shrinkage. A
wide public response will make il pos
sible for all parts Of the meat animal
to find a market. and the utilization Of
parts now often wasted or misused
should have a tendency not only to
save money for those who have bought
the most expensive cuts, but also to
bring down the price of all meat.
Both the and the live
stock producer win receive benefit. 1t
Is impossible for a stoekman TO raise q
steer consisting only OF prime roast
beef and porterhouse steaks. At pres
ent the ~avoidable wastage and shrink
age suffered on neglected cuts adds 20
theo price of the cut which the public
Is buying. Every carcass cut Of meat
Is palatable. and nutritious when prop
erly prepared. Utilization OF the parts
now neglected viii mean q stable mar
ket for all parts Of the farmers meat
animal. The price received by the far
mer will not be decreased by this cam
paign but the effect on retail prices to
the consumer, by elimination Of waste,
shrinkage and Q demand, Is clear
ly indicated in the, statement made by
the bureau OF markets, which has been
quoted above.
Moreover, despite the economic
soundness Of the campaign, the depart
ment has before and since beginning
tho campaign issued very drastic in
structions to all fair price commissions
ers and United States attorneys to In.
sure that prices are kept down."