Evening star., 1928-01-05
WARFARE IN MEAT
INDUSTRY GROWS
East Against Cattle Grow.
ina Areas One Result Of
"BattIe on Beef"

Special Dispatch TO The star.

NEW YORK. January 5.-The con-
test between meat consumers and the
producers, packers and retailers Is be.
coming more bitter every day, to the
detriment Of each party IN the con.
troversy, over the increased prices for
beef. 1t Is involving a marked change
in diet among the inhabitants OF some
sections OF the United States, and is
bringing about buyers resistance to
the products OF certain sections which,
while 1t has not yet assumed the mag
nitude OF q boycott, Is undoubtedly
showing a trend in that direction.
Consumers in some sections Of the
East have appealed to their fellows to
restrict their consumption OF beef un.
I'll the price OF that commodity comes
down. In retaliation. the beef.pro-
ducing sections have urged their
friends and neighbors to refuse to
buy goods produced In or shipped
from those districts where this anti.
beef movement 10 most active.
Additional Sale OF Pork.
Meat production and consumption
for the last year in the United States
was slightly higher than in 1926. but
this increase was due almost entire.
ly to the additional sale Of pork prod.
,Icts and there has been a marked
abandonment of beef and mutton in
favor Of pork. Pork products at
wholesale are at the lowest levels in
three years, according to Oscar G.
Mayer, president OF the Institute OF
American Meat Packers, but beef
prices are on higher level than in
1926.
The sharp fluctuations in the price
OF veal, beef and mutton have made
the wear an uncertain one for the
packers, but it has been a prosperous
one for the live stock growers.
The outlook for this year. accord
ing TO the packers. is showing i'm.
proyement. The general opinion in
tho industry is that Industrial condi-
tions will be as good as they were in
1927. That means n still further in.
crease in the consumption OF various
kinds of meat.
Substitutes In Europe.
The price OF live stock. however. is
such as to put American meat prod
ucts beyond the reach OF. some OF
the European consumers. who have
substituted other articles OF diet.
This country, however. Is growing in
population at the rate Of a million and
a half a year and the great ma ajority
OF this increase Is composed OF meat
consumers.
The rise in live stock prices. accord.
ing TO Louis F. Swift, president Of
Swift & Co.. will set apart 1927 as
year distinguished from all other years
In the industry.
Heretofore. he said. supplies had
been heavy and prices low. Returns
discouraging and many Of them were
forced out OF business. Each year II
was thought that liquidation must be
about completed, but each year sup.
plies continued heavy until 1927.
Then came the long expected turn.
The total volume Of cattle slaugh.
tered during the early months Of the
year was only slightly below the same
months In 1925. but beginning In June
the numbers declined materially and
the last seven months of the year
were about 10 per cent under the
previous year.
Shortage OF Best Steers.
THE shortage was particularly
acute in high.grade beef steers. and
prices for this kind OF cattle reached
a peak never before approximnted ex.
cept for a brief time during the war.
The higher prices revived the cattle.
mems interest in breeding stock. re.
sulting In decreased supplies OF range
cows for slaughter. Young stock also
was held back for further growth.
which restricted the supply Of this
kind Of cattle.
Taken altogether. producers were
paid $50 100000 more for their cattle
in 1927 than in 1926. although the
marketing was Z per cent less. as far
as numbers are concerned"
That IN the situation Mr.. Swift auA
other packers declare IL responsible
for the present price to the consumers.