The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-04-01
GOVERNMENT TO
HELP LOWER BILL
Dept. Of Justice VIII Edu-
cate People on Meat
Buying.
PLAN Is WELL TESTED

"The department Of justice announc-
ed today that it intends to begin with
in few weeks an intensive educational
campaign, designed to lower tie con-
sumer's meat bill materially.
"The plan to be used has been tested
by the department in several places
in order that it's economic soundness
might be demonstrated. 1t is expected
that the efforts of the department will
have the cooperation Of all retail meat
dealers throughout the country, as we'll
as the cooperation Of the whole pack
ing industry, including several hundred
different companies.
Eschew High Priced Cuts.
"The department will attempt to
show to the consumer the advantage
Of turning away from the high priced
cuts of meat, where the demand is
now concentrated, to the less costly
cuts, which constitutes the bulk of
the meat animal and which, when cor
rectly prepared, are of high nutritive
value and great palatability.
"This plan early received the sane
tion Of numerous etailers-both indi-
viduals and association officials. Hun
dreds of wholesalers and packing COM
panies throughout the country have
now agreed to cooperate.
The Economic Theory.
"The economic theory upon which
the department is proceeding has been
corroborated by other governmental
agencies in close touch with marketing
conditions, After an investigation Of
these conditions and experiments in
limited localities, the department of
justice finds this situation existing
with reference to the purchase Of
meats at retail:
"Those cuts of meat which are in
heaviest demand-so-ca choice
steaks and rib roasts-constitut less
than one-fourth Of the steer. This con-
centration of demand on the portions
which are available in the least guam
tity has driven up the price Of the
very cuts which are most popular
Failure to take advantage Of the
less costly cuts seem due to two fac
tors; lack of knowledge concerning the
preparation of the inexpensive pieces,
and lack Of information and indiff-
erence on the part of the housekeeper
as to the high nutritive value Of such
portions.
Good Meat at Low Price.
CAS- consequence, good meat at low
prices is dragging in the market, while
meat from the same animal, which is
no more nourishing but is four times
as costly, is in great demand. For ex-
qmple, recent wholesale quotations
from the. western market show that
the best grade short horn lions
(whence come fine steaks) have been
selling wholesale as high as SO cents
pound; while the best grade chucks
from the identical steer have been
selling at Is cents. The chuck portion
was raised on the same feed as the
loin portion 1t would yield nutritious
steaks, tasty roasts, pot roasts, stews,
and corned beef.
"Table d'hote luncheon menus clear
ly 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 we'll known hotels
and restaurants are made from mex
pensive cuts. Husbands order and en-
JOY 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
expensive 70 the inexpensive cuts she
not 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 mer-
chandized more economically. With
the present unequal demands for the
various cuts at retail, some meat is
diverted to other than its natural
uses and other meat is wasted. The
loss is ultimately borne by the con-
sumer.
The department of justice proposes,
with the aid of the consumer, to cor
missioners in every state will be asked
to direct and take part in the cam
paign of education. The matter will
be brought to the attention of civic
clubs and women's organizations. Re
tailers, wholesalers, and packing COM
panies throughout the country will
be asked to appoint conference commit
tees to cooperate with the fair price
commissioners. Recipes, charts and
posters will be prepared and distribut-
ed widely. Specific weeks will be
designated in various parts of the
country for featuring the inexpensive
cuts.
"The department of justice will keep
a close eye on market conditions 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 demand should make
for better merchandising and lower
level Of prices At the present time
headquarters of beef are selling for
10 cents a pound more that forequar-
ters of beef. Many persons seem to
want the meat which can be prepared
with least trouble regardless of
price"
SUFFRAGE VOTE BY WEDNESDAY.
Dover, Del.-Leaders of both fac