Evening star., 1937-10-03
BUTCHERS LAUNCH
SHUTDOWN STRIKE.
Fist Fights Break Out as
Kosher Merchants Pro-
test Meat Costs.

BACKGROUND
Rising meat prices throughout
Nation haze been accompanied by
steadily mounting protests.
In Neio York City retail beef
prices are 34.7 per cent higher
than year ago. Restaurant men
no longer feature steaks, whne
butchers declare they are losing
money.
9y the Associated Press
NEW YORK, October "A shut
down strike" of many of the Kosher
butcher shops of the New York New
Jersey metropolita' area began at
sundown tonight in protest against
current meat prices charged by whole
salers.
Fist fights started with the strike.
Pickets around shops which ignored
the shutdown clashed with working
employees. Twenty or more persons
were arrested in the Bronx and Brook
lyn on charges of disorderly conduct
or assault. At least one man, a by
stander, was hospitalized for injuries.
How many shops we're participating
could not be determined Immediately.
More than 5000 belonging to the Fed
Grafton of Kosher Butchers and serv-
ing an estimated Jewish population of
2,500,000 were called upon to keep
their doors locked
Ordinarily they open for business at
S1lndnuyY, q flor ho do, oh
of the Jewish sabbath.
David H. Greenwald, attorney for
the federation, said flying squads of
plckets were being sent through Man
haitian and Brooklyn to picket any
stores that might ignore the order.
About 400 large markets affiliated
with the New Deal Kosher Butchers
Federation, were open as usual. refus-
ing to join in the demonstration
which the federation described as
ridiculous and impracticable.
Whatever the developments might
be over the week end it appeared un-
likely that the Shutdown strike"
would be resumed Monday. Greenwald
predicted general meeting of the
federation tomorrow afternoon would
call of tie strike in response to an
appeal made by William Fellowes
Morgan, jr., New York City commits
missioner of markets.
Morgan asked postponement of
the closing for a week while his de-
partment and Federal Department of
Agriculture officials investigate the
costs and methods of meat selling.
Shoppers Snub Butcher.
CHICAGO, October 2 6P).-Thrifty
housewives snubbed costly cuts in
their favorite meat shops today.
Choice meats were expensive through
out the land and food budgets-with
or without the formal name-had to
be met
Meat packers nodded silent approval
as nilady scrutinized her selection
with greater care than usual. Their
attitude was epitomized:
We've been trying for years to edu-
cate wives to cheaper cuts of meat.
They're just as good"
In Chicago-the Nations meat
packing center - individual women
told their side of it.
We've cut out steaks" said Mrs.
Don Trump, South Side resident,
who explained that use of meat of all
kinds had been reduced.
Another South Slider. Mrs. David
Heffernan, said: I'VE have fish oftener
during the week, and so do many of
our neighbors."
Up on the North Side Mrs. Mar
garet Elliot said she found that her
family don't miss steaks when they
have other dishes that can be made
just as appetiZing and nutritious"
Meat packers explained that high
prices for prime cattle-the average
last week was about 20 cents a pound
had not affected medium grade
steers, which sold for only half as
much.