Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-18
Meat Packers Split
Hinted at Farley on
Live Hog Ceilings
Major Groups Delegates
Absent; Producers Plan
Appeal to White House

Indications that packers are not
m complete agreement on proposal
to place ceilings on producer prices
of live hogs as means to aid in
stabilizlng meat prices arose today
at hearing on the subject
The ONCE of Price Administration.
which yesterday heard producer
representatives voice opposition to
ceilings. invited packers to appear
today to give their views
The American Meat Institute. an
organization representing many of
the larger packers. failed to send
representatives fact that led John
Finn of the OPA legal staff to re-
mark that the industry does not ap-
pear to be in agreement on ceilings"
Attending todays session were
representatives of the National In
dependent Meat Packers Assocla-
ton, an organization composed of
many smaller packers throughout
the country. It's spokesman, Wilbur
Laroe, Washington attorney. urged
imposition of ceilings Immediately.
saying many packers were suffering
heavy financial losses because of
squeeze between uncontrolled hog
prices and OPA ceilings on meat.
Producers Map Protest.
At the same time the packers were
meeting with OPA officials. produc-
ers met at separate session at
which farmer after farmer from
nearly all of the meat-producing
States insisted that no ceilings be
established.
The producers selected a commit
tee of seven to carry their protests
to the White House. Members said
they had an appointment at 230
pm. to see either President Roose-
welt or Economic Sterilization Di-
rector James F. Byrnes. or both
Named to the committee were P.
O. Wilson of Chicago. Frank Boise
of Tucson, Ariz.: Fred Marshall.
Denver: F. Alvin Park and Gene
Harsch, both of Peoria, H.; F. G..
Ketner of Columbus, Ohio and N.
K. Carnes of st. Paul.
Indications were that the COM
mlttee would suggest that meat
rationing and other steps be tested
before any further consideration
was given to maximum prices on
live animals.
OPA Official Hits Absence.
At the packers meeting mean
while A. C. Hoffman, director of
OPA's food price division and pre-
siding officer, expressed disappoint-
ment at the absence Of the meat
institute. commenting:
The institute is hamstringing the
industry by failing to be represented
here"
A. P. Davies, VINO told the hearing
he was an observer for the in
stitute, said his organization had
arranged to discuss the whole meat
situation" with an OPA Official next
week and as a consequence was not
to take part in today's hearing.
Stating that the OPA, the Agricul-
ture Department and the Office of
the Director of Economic Stabiliza-
ton hoped to reach a decision this
week on ceilings, Mr.. Hoffman urged
Mr., Davies to appeal to the insti-
tute to send representatives for fur
Their discussions tomorrow.
Galbreith Explains Talk.
DR.. J. K. Galbreith, OPA price
executive, who yesterday said he
believed livestock ceilings were in
evitable. explained to the producers
today he did not mean that de-
cisions already had been made. He
added he was only trying to be
frank with the livestock men in
outlining his belief and said the
actual decision would have to be
made on the basis of their opinion
as we'll as his own.
Cattle and sheep producers Joined
the hog producers today in opposing
any livestock ceiling.
Bitter opposition came from
Representative Hill, Republican, of
Colorado, who told the producers
session lit is a damn shame that
livestock people have had to come
here to oppose nonsense. I want
you to know that members of the
House Agriculture Committee are
disguised"