New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-15
UP GOES THE PRICE OF BREAD.
THE BAKERS SAY THEY CANNOT HELP 1T.
THEY DECLARE THAT RECENT WHEAT sPEoULA-

THEY DECLARE THAT RECENT WHEAT sPECULA-
TIoN HAS MADE THE ADVANCE INEVITABLE.
The German Master Bakers Union held meeting
yesterday morning in the lower hall of the German
Masonic Temple, at No 220 East Fffteenth-st. There
were about $50 bakers present, from all parts OF
this city, and tho subject Of raising the price OF
bread to meet the advance in -four was long and
earnestly discussed, resulting in tho passage OF a
resolution to make an increase OF one cent on what
were the selling prices before the recent wheat specu
lation.
Conrad Moll, the chairman, staed the object OF
the meeting. and said: I'VE are compelled TO raise
the price of bread. not because Of bad crop, but
solely by reason OF the speculation. We want to be
united In this matter, and the public can have no OBJ
jectlons realizing as they do, the circumstances"
He then called for the report Of the Executive
Committee, which had requested Fleischmann, schulz,
Friedman end Hausman to cooperate with tho little
bakers in the proposed movement Charles Schleer-
macher, Of tho committee eixth-st. baker, said
that Friedman, Hausman and Fleischmann had con-
sented. hut that Schulz had not been seen.
The chairman asked If any representatives OF these
men were present, and became quito indignant when
no one arose, especially Adolph schnkei informed
him that Fleischmann's representative had promised
10 come. Mr.. Schnkel said further that 1t was the
duty of those assembled 10 raise the price OF bread
or else tho public would believe that they had been
robbed when -four was less cxpensive but that the
trouble was that every baker afraid of his neigh
boris competition. Secretary Goodman thought that
no matter what the big bakers did, the union should
raise the price.
proposition was then made to establish flour
exchange similar to the yeast exchange. general
discussion Of the subject followed, and
finally a motion was carried to appoint
a committee to draw up a plan for -four
exchange and to report at tho next union meeting
euggcstion was made that all present who were
not members Of the union should hand In their
names at the close of the meeting, so that whatever
action should be taken might be rendered as effective
possible
schleernachcr remarked that every baker had
lost money during the last two years, and strongly
advocated an immediate advance in prices. He said
that he had made the change last Monday, and that
nobody had complained; that not only had flour
advanced but butter sugar and lard, also. He then
made the following motion: Resolved, that the price
of bread be raised l cent, ard that not more than
six rolls be sold for ccnts7
In the discussion which followed the seconding Of
this notion schleermacher said that II would be I'M
possible to have prico and one weight all over the
city, because the West Side bakers sold white bread
loavcs Of about a pound in weight for cents, and
the East Side bakers for cents and for that reason.
he in favor of making every loaf 1 cent higher
some doubt being expressed as to whether all would
abide By the action of union, the chairman sad
that all would be compelled to the old stock
of -four was exhausted.
Henry Jung offered amendment that the
cheapest loaf should cost cents. After some further
debate both the amendment and the original motion
were passed unanimously by a rising vote The lite
bakers do sell many of the larger loaves, but 1t
was understood that loaf which is sold for or 10
cents the weight should be reduced instead of raising
the price, and that the West Side bakers should be at
liberty TO ther maintain the Scent figure raise
II cent but that the amendment referred to Is to be
strictly adhered to.
1t now remains to be seen how generally the action
OF the union Will be carried out II was resolved
that a meeting should be held next sunday To hear
how tho unions action has been received.
There IS no doubt that many bakers VIII indorse
the nroposcd advance, and the has already
produced much gloom among the poor IN this city. In
convers with Mr. Goodman after the meeting. he
nformed tic reporter that under the present
dition of things loaf which has been sold for 4, o. or
6 cents we CHS from one pound 10 one and third
and costs the baker anywhere from to SIS cents.
cordng to the quality of the -four Ho said that the
small bakers have made TO money lately 1t IS not
thought that the big bakers will cooperate with The
a present.