Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1917 — HITS RETAILERS FOR HIGH PRICES [ARTICLE]

HITS RETAILERS FOR HIGH PRICES

Hoover Quotes Figures to Prove Wholesale Prices Slashed. ALL STAPLES ARE TOO HI6H Declares Most of Essential Commodities Should Continue to Show Reductions Very Soon Now. , Washington, Oct. 1!). —Food Administrator lloovcr announced “that the corner has been turned in high prices.” He has gone as far as he can In price reduction, lie says, and assails the retailors for not doing their part. The next congress will probably be asked to give him power to force the retailers to abstain from profiteering. Mr. Hoover says: "Most of the essential commodities should, one after another, continue to show reductions between now and the end of the year. The food administrator has no control of either the grower or his organizations, nor of the great majority of retailers. “The distribution chain lying between the warehouse, wholesalers, commission inen and manufacturers of prime commodities has required a great deal of study and development for Its proper regulation, and these regulations are coining into force now.”

Mr. Hoover said he had every hope the retailers will co-operate, as the farmers and other food handlers are co-operating, to feed the nation and the allies at reasonable prices. Everybody along the line down to the retailer, he declared, already Is helping. But retail prices do not by any means reflect the wholesale prices. Prices Not Warranted. He added: "It is necessary to secure a large production, to maintain fair and remunerative prices to the producers. While their expenses have Increased during the past year, the prices demanded for certain commodities are not warranted. The intermediate handling trades axe being placed under regulation; they are co-operating well with the food administration, and the speculation and profiteering are now generally a thing of the past. “The retailers need the co-operation of consumers In reducing deliveries, and their success in all measures will rest largely upon the support they receive from local authorities.” . * Retailers Are Gouging. Summarized, his review follows: Flour. —The current prices at which flour is sold at {he mill in jute bags vary with the locality and freight charges on wheat, Toledo showing the lowest prices of $lO for first patent and $0.70 for second patent; the highest being Buffalo, at $10.70 for first patent and $10.70 for second patent. The average retail price on first patents In 706 cities on October 13 was $13.77, or from $1.50 to $2 per barrel higher than Is warranted by the price being paid to - the millers. The retail ‘price has not responded to millers’ reductions. Beans. —The bean harvest Is estimated by the department of agriculture at approximately 7,000,000,000 bushels In excess of last year. The growers’ associations are holding beans at from 13*4 to 15 cents per pound, ns ugainst an average price last year of 8 cents. There has been 100 per cent Increase In the Manchurian bean crop and it Is now estimated at 2,000,000 tons. Owing to shipping shortage practically the only outlet is to the United States, and these beans will flow Into the American market from December much below the prices now being demanded for American beans.

Corn. —The harvest this year is 600,000,000 to 700,000,000 bushels over last year, and will be generally available about the end of November. The price stands at $1.90 in Chicago. New corn is quoted in Chicugo at $1.13 for December and Indicates a 40 per. cent drop in the price of corqmeal. Potatoes.—The harvest is 59 per cent in excess of last year. The price at the leading points varies from $1.50 to $2.80 per 100 pounds. It is higher than at this period last year and is due to a tendency on the part of the producer to hold for higher prices, and to the temporary inability of the railroads to furnish cars. Sugar.—Beet sugar prices are being controlled by the manufacturers on a basis that should reach the retailer from Bto 8% cents per pound. A temporary shortage in the Northeastern states gives no warrant for advances by retailers to over 9 cents. Beef.—Beef already shows some tendency toward reduction in wholesale prices, but these have not been so far reflected by the retailer. The price of beef at the packers’ door Is 14% cents per pound, as compared with 16 cents in July. But the average retail price of round steak in 796 cities is 31 cents per pound, against 2T cents in July.