Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 134, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1912 — They Are Going Up; Food Prices Will Advance. [ARTICLE]

They Are Going Up; Food Prices Will Advance.

Unless you have your own garden and can live upon the produce you raise, you are apt to he up against it for the next thirty days. That is the scare which the department of commerce and labor is giving out as a result of the investigation of the high cost of living. It forecasts that there will he an increase of at least ten per cent over last year. Food products are the highest on record. Meat, eggs, butter, fish, potatoes, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, rice, molasses, beans and peas average 22 per cent higher than a year ago; wheat, oats,-barley and flour are reported 33 per cent higher. Leather products are 12 per cent higher, while textile goods are a trifle lower. The average increase of food products is 20 per cent. Six dollars go only as far, as five did in providing for the table need. The biggest advances have been in meat products, beef 26 per cent; bog products, 40 per cent and mutton more than 50 per cent Dealers lay the increase to last year’s poor hay crop and the general high cost of animal provender. Poor crops are also held responsible for more expensive breadstuff. » Considered In connection with a bulletin issued by the department of commerce and labor, presenting facts to show that not since 1907 have food animals been so plentiful as now, the statement of market men that the record breaking high prices are caused by a shortage of cattle As not taken seriously. . 7 Tbe most remarkable Jump in prices occurred in the pork market. In 1897 pork sold at $8.90 a barrel, the lowwater figure for the twenty-two years. In 1910 pork rose to- $23.73 a barrel, the rise for the thirteen years with several minor fluctuations being gradual. In January, 1911, the price was quoted at $22.47. It rose to $22.75 in February and then began a gradual decline until it reached. $17.56.