Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 234, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 October 1917 — Raising Prices in Japan. [ARTICLE]

Raising Prices in Japan.

A bag of rice, which oflly a few years ago cost $1.25, noWTells at $2.50, an Increase of 100 per cent. But this staple is only typical of nearly all other articles of household use. No legitimate reason exists for this increase. Rice is raised in Japan. Wages are slightly higher, no doubt, but not sufficiently so to add 100 per cent to the cost of an article of necessity. Such a rise in price of necessities is an avoidable hardship, observes East and West. The government can check it, if wisely directed. The rice market, like wheat in America, should be the last to suffer from violent manipulation. It is the food of tjia people and government should fix a limit for its price.