The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-07-10
PockerSoys Prices Same As June 30
 Swift C Company
 Explains Sudsidy
 Amount Added

Swift & Company announced to- day that it's post O.P.A. meat prices are the same as those prevailing be- fore July except for the addition of the amount of Federal subsidies which have been withdrawn. A statement by the company's local branch this afternoon said that new meat prices should not be compared with O.P.A ceilings but rather with black market prices which prevailed before the O.PA expired. Other major packers are expected to fol- low the same price policy as Swift.
 Meat prices for retail buyers will depend on whether the retailer simply passes on the increase in the wholesale cost or makes a further addition. Most merchants say they will charge the purchaser only the wholesale price increase.
 Complaints of excessive m a [ prices charged by some retailers are being heard. There have been num- erous complaints about one down. town store which declines to tell customers even the weight of the meat they are buying.
 Packers Supplies Delayed
 Meat packing firms do not expect to receive any big shipments of meat until next week. Though meat is fairly plentiful in some stores, the big packing firms have had small CT supply this week than last.
 A few more reports of rent in- creases were heard today State Rent Administrator George J. Mo- Duff said that over 20 complaints were received yesterday.
 Following is the text of the state ment by Swift & Company:
 Swift & Companys prices on meats to it's customers are un- changed from levels prevailing prior to July 1 except that the company is adding the amount of the sub sldies which the Government has withdrawn.
 These subsidies heretofore have constituted a hidden cost to con- sumers whether or not they have been able to buy meat, since they have been taken from consumers pockets in the form of federal tax es Now the subsidies have beer eliminated ar1o price adjustments throughout the livestock and meat industry have reflected this.
 Since the elimination of price control, Swift & Company has op- erated it's business with restraint, and has tried to proceed according to the best interests of it's employees, it's customers and the producers of agricultural products. We propose to continue in this manner and are confident that the free functioning of forces of supply and demand will produce stabilized conditions in the industry in the best interests of all concerned.
 Ask Just Comparison
 Consumers should remember that in any comparison of prices the comparison should be betweer present meat prices and the price. at which most meats sold in the black market prior to July l. | would be misleading to compare present prices with the false cell ing prices which prior to July were not in any way indicative o1 the actual cost of meats to con- sumers.
 Supply and demand are the fac. tors that will establish the level al which meat products sell. Meat i: perishable and must be sold prompt ly and the American Housewife k now once more in a position tc say what she is willing and able to pay for meat Under open mar. ket conditions, this is the most i'm. portant factor that determines tht prices of meat as well as livestock.
 The meat industry from farm producer to retail market has beer seriously dislocated by months O. black market operations and be cause of this, it may take some time for the industry to recover Eventually, however, meat will hov through legitimate channels fo fair distribution to everyone a prices they are willing to pay