With the Meat Riots in May of 1902, young housewives in their 30's developed a voice and recognition that they too could participate in political activism. The women even interrupted the Torah reading so they could promulgate their very real struggle. Apparent in the riots is that these women cared deeply about the price of meat, considering that meat went up from 12 cents to 18 cents. Here is a NY Times headline from 17 May 1902:
Also,
here is a New York Times article from 26 May 1902, explaining the events of the previous day with regard to the Meat Riots. The Butchers wanted to open their doors, but needed police protection in order to do so. The article contains many statements, particularly from the (Ladies) Anti-(Beef) Trust Association.
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In case you were wondering about that price difference (12 to 18 cents) aside from being a full third of the price, that would look like a jump from $3.31 to $4.97 per pound today (See this inflation calculator if you're interested in converting other historical prices http://www.westegg.com/inflation/ )
The change also probably still sounds like less than it felt to these consumers, because they are operating in a pre-refrigeration kitchen and in a food market that has not yet diversified and expanded the way it would in the rest of the century.
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