The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1947-01-03

9zl.0U per CWL., Tie DdldHC6 DIIuSlHS
prices lower than June 80 OPA prices.
1t will also be recalled that when
price controls were lifted the packers
suavely promised that meat prices
would not go up by over 10 percent.
AS an actual fact by August 1, whole
sale prices on whole steer carcasses
in New York City had risen IA per
cent over OPA wholesale ceilings.
Black Markets
Much packer publicity during the
first half of 1916 was concentrated on
the black market, however, this was
not based on fact. OPA officials state
that with the force of inspectors avail
able last June They were able to
hold black market violations down to
a low level 1t should be remembered
that meat, because of it's bulk and it's
perishability is much harder to handle
illicitly than many other products.
The real channel that the big four
were Directing to was not the black
market at all, but rather the legiti-
mate and licensed independent pack
ers including a number of farmer and
consumer co-operatives which have
obtained packing plants in recent
years. The period of federal price
controls made it possible for smaller
Independents to exist since they could
build up inventories and depend on
stable markets. However, with the
resumption of unfettered monopoly
control, as the past several months
have proven, ruthless marketing gyra-
lions by the trust have already started
to drive numerous of the small fry
into bankruptcy.
Effective Action Needed
Indecisive steps, such as were taken
by the Truman administration in
slapping the hands of the packers
and then giving them everything they
wanted after their second sit-down
strike, this fall, is not a solution to
the meat problem. A courageous fed
eral administration during both sit
down strikes of the trust would have
done the same thing as the govern
ment did during last January's wage
strike-promptly have taken over the
plants.
In view Of the governments inabil-
ity or lack of desire to deal with the
packers effectively and in the public
interest, it becomes clear that some
form of effective legislation must be
promulgated. There seems to be only
two channels open: Cd declaring the
public utility and placing it
under permanent supervision, or (2)
the industry from the
time the livestock leaves the hand of
the producer until it reaches the re-
taller. The former will provide some
measure of control but past experience
has proven that public service COM
missions can be influenced" The
second seems the more logical for the
protection of the producers as well
as the consumers since it will elimi-
nate to large extent the traditional
neat trust practice of &c. paying the
producer as little as possible and still
keep him producing, and charging the
consumer as much as possible and
still keep him eating meat. -" The
after will also eliminate the rigging
IF livestock markets whereby by gen
,lemen's agreements" packers split the
amount of cattle to be purchased on
various markets while scrupulously
adhering to a policy of never over
bidding each other on livestock pass
ng through the market.
Copies of "Meat, a National Scan
lal," can be procured by writing New
Century Publishers, 832 Broadway,
New York 8, N. Y. Price is sc per
,opy.