Bisbee daily review., 1920-12-09
LOWELL MARKE I IS SCENE. OF
 MEAT WAR
Possibilities Threatened When Tovrea Company Makes Big
 Cut in Beef Prices


 The public market at Lowell was in turmoil yesterday morning when the E. A. Tovrea & Co.,, sent truck load fbeef to the market and open ed up a selling booth in competition with the farmers, offering all cuts of beef to the public at prices that inn mediately brought swarm of pur- chasers.
 The farmers promptly appealed to Harley Cox of Lowell, market direc- tor and to members of the American Legion, under whose direction the market was first started, contending that Tovrea had no right to sell meat in the market on the ground that he he is not a cattle grower. Cox in- formed the farmers that Tovrea had informed him previously of the action that he intended to take, and that he is powerless to stop it as Tovrea is selling beef that he has had on tne range for the last three years. and can hardly be considered, under these circumstances, to have less right to the use of the market than any other grower. Cox explained that the mark ct was originated with the idea of re- ducing high prices, and that if Tovrea wants to sell beef at prices under those set by the market or even give it away, the pubic benefits and it is not for him to object.
 The farmers did not appear to be modified. They returned to the mark ct and put their beef out on display at the old prices and disconsolately watched the public rush to Tovrea's bargain counter For a time the at- mosphere was quite tense, and the farmers seemed inclined to take the situation into their own han2S in the form of butcher knives and cleavers.
 Tovrea's men offered all cuts of beef, round steak. loin and T-bone steak, and all roastS at 15 cents a poung, while the farmers were offer ing the same cuts at 25 and 50 cents a pound Tovrea sold stew of all kinrs at 10 cents pound while the others asked 121a and 15 cents. Tov- req sold a great quantity of meat. as people hurried to the market to buy when they heard of what was going on. None of the farmers attempted to meet the prices set by Tovrea.
 The men who conducted Toyrea's sale declared that the same thing will be repeated each market day. They point out that the public mark ct his cut into the retail meat busi- ness of the district in a way that is detrimental to the interests of both the public and the meat business. It is true, they say, the market has been selling meats at prices slightly under Tovrea's, but they say that the farm CTS are enabled to do this because | they sell beef and pork that has not been passed by government inspectors. Another contention of the company men is that nj hot weather the Tar mers cannot possibly sell wholesome meat in the open at the public mark ct and without refrigeration.
 Ledion Men Interested
 l II was indicated last night that the , neat war might result in action on , the part of the local post of the American Legion. Several members of the legion, who were instrument tal in aiding in the establishment Of | the market in Lowell, expressed 1 themselves as deSirous of bringing the controversy to a close as quickly as possible. They stated that the matter would be taken before the board of suAervisors Saturday morn ing and that probably Sunday morn ing the subject would be considered by officers and members of the Le zion.
 We are not prejudiced in any way | in the fight between TOYrea and the farmers" said ole Legion man. But we want to have the matter adjusted as soon as possible. If Mir. Tovrea is ready to keep on selling meat al the prices quoted yesterday, we arc satisfied. If, hovhever, he only ID tends to undersell the farmers Ion, enough to force them to stop usini the market and then starts boosting the price of meat as soon as the com petition has been routed, then w will probably be forced to take hand in the matter.
 "The Legion was sponsor for tn market at Lowell and aided In It: establishment in order that the pub lie might benefit. If MT. Tovrea Ii
 willing to maintain the prices se yesterday we are for him, because
 the public will benefit. All we asl is that everybody be given squar' deal in the matter. But the Legioi
 will not support, I am sure, tho us
 of the market by anyone who seek
 to wipe cut competition by extrem
 price-cutting We hope MT. Tovre;
 is willing to kIep prices down t those of today. Then neither thu
 farmers nor the public nor the Le
 zion can have any objection to hi
 using the market or cutting price
 under those of tho farmers"