Pueblo chieftain., 1921-02-03
BY rrcderic ]. Haskin.

hs = A'HtA ~ ilhshIAH
Washington. d. C. Jan. 3l.-The cs-
tsblishmcnt Of municipal meat markets
IN American cities. where, by some
plan OF cooperation between the cat
tlemcn. the packers and tho munich
pal governments. beef can bo sold to
tho people at fair prices OF which the
cattlemen will get u fair sharc-that is
the most interesting constructive sug-
gostion which has emerged from the
present confusion or the livestock busi-
ness.
This suggestion seems to have orgi-
mated at the recent convention OF the
American National Livestock associa-
ton in FL Puso, whore the principal
cattlegrowcrs OF America met to dis
cuss their serious troubles. The bot
tom is falling out OF the market for
their product. tho country is being
flooded with cheap meats and hides
from the Argentine, Mexico, Australia.
and other foreign parts, and many OF
the weaker growers face bankruptcy.
1t is evident that tho stockmcn have
done some deep thinking since the col
lapse OF war time prices. And II they
have not formulated u complete and
consistent program, they have at least
The stockmen seem agreed that their
industry faces a crisis. and that radi-
cal measures are necessary to save II.
They seem further agreed that the re-
tall price of meat has not dropped
nearly as fast nor as far as the prices
which they are getting for cattle on
the hoof. In this conclusion almost
every retail buyer OF meats, such as
you and l, will agree with them.
Cut Out MiddIcmcn
From this they deducc that the pro
per way TO make cattle raising profit
able for the ranchman and meat cheap
for the consumer is to simplify distri-
button. eliminate large numbers OF
mlddlemen. and so bring those two
sufferers. the producer and tho con-
sumer. closer together.
Hence the suggestion for municipal
markets. a committee was appointed
by tho stockmen 10 confer with Gov
ernment experts in the Bureau OF Mar
kets of the Department OF Agricul urc
and evolve "a definite plan.
Tho other ideas evolved by the cat
tlcmcn were not so original. They
want a protective tariff on meat and
cattle, altho they seem to realize that
this liz not a real solution of heir prob
lem, bu merely a palliative. They want
the government to regulate the pack
crs. but they are opposed to he Gronna
bill which would form a govcrnmcn
live stock commission.
There is a general conviction among
the cattlomen that they should be-
given some form OF proection from the
influx of foreign cattle and meat. One
hears men describe themselves as pro
lection democrats. The cause OF most
of tho present trouble is tho enormous
importation OF Canadian and Mexican
cattle, Argentine beef, and Australian
and New Zealand lamb.
When 1t comes to the question of
marketing cattle, and handling stock
yards. there is "A wide difference of
opinion. This was brought to n focal
point by tho discussion over the bill
introduced in the United States Senate
by Senator GronnI of North Dakota.
Briefly this bill proposes a Federal live
stock commission to regulate and con-
troll the entire industry including the
stockyards and the packcries.
This proposal is offered on tho ground
that IL would do nothing to stimulate
production, oqualtze receipts, or en-
courage the consumption OF meat.
Further, there is ~ decided feeling
against taking tho experienced pack
crS out of tho packing business and
putting this most important phase ct
the industry in the hands of politicians
or directly under their orders and di-
reCtions. Tho cattlcman says that the
packers bear down unduly on him at
times. but that the packer knows his
business and can talk TO and do buSi
ness with the grower as no outsider
can.
The cattlcman's point of view is CON
ditioned more and more by tho fact
| that he is n heavy investor. All tho
| ranches of the West and Southwest are
under fence. the cattle are highly bred
from the best imported stock. and be-
cause of these Investments the cattle
are cared for on the ranch almost as
| closely as tho cattle ON tho farms in
| illinois and Iowa. It is no longer pos
| siblu for the stOckman to conduct his