THE FOOD CRISIS AND AMERICANISM 33 



farmer. On the same basis, since November i, 1917, 

 there has been a constant loss averaging over 20 per 

 cent, on all hogs sold. They brought that much less 

 than the corn fed was worth on the market. 



During thirty-one years prior to November i, 1917, 

 when Mr. J. P. Cotton, Head of the Meat Division 

 of the Food Administration, assumed control of the 

 packing industry, there was but one year in which the 

 average price of live hogs in South Omaha was lower 

 than the ratio of 10 to i. During the eight months 

 since he took control, as will be seen by Table No. i, 

 the monthly average price of 100 pounds of live hogs 

 has been equivalent to only 9.86 bushels of corn. 



In the circular above referred to, Mr. Cotton further 

 says, " We have had, and shall have, advice of a board 

 of practical hog growers and experts." ..." That 

 board has given its judgment that to bring the stock 

 of hogs back to normal under present conditions, the 

 ratio should be about 13 to i." (The price of 100 

 pounds of live hogs equivalent to the current price of 

 13 bushels of No. 2 corn). . . . "We shall establish 

 rigid control of the packers." Why, with this " rigid 

 control of the packers," should the price ratio of live 

 hogs go almost at once to, and remain at, a ratio of less 

 than 10 to i, instead of 13 to i, as recommended by 

 the commission of " practical hog growers and ex- 

 perts," and which commission has " given its judg- 

 ment that to bring the stock of hogs back to normal 

 under present conditions, the ratio should be about 13 

 to i " ? In short, why, during the past seven months 

 were the farmers compelled to receive $4.50 to $5.50 

 per 100 pounds less for their hogs than the commission 



