Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-02-10
THE COST OF LIVING.
HAS 1T INCREASED IN CONSE-
QUENCE OF NEW TARIFF?
Figures showing That While the Farmer
Has Obtained Better Prices for His
Products the Expense of Supporting -

one accord III tnelr pian OIL
against that popular American policy.
They fight along different lines. Most
of them rely upon the simple assertion
that there Is no truth In the claim that
the present revival of business and
industrial activity is in any way the
result of protection; others deny that
there has been any return of prosperi-
ty thus far, and insist that business
conditions have not improved. while
still others. realizing the folly OF both
of the preceding contentious in the
face OF facts which contradict them,
admit the prosperity, and do not siren
uously gainsay that protection has had
somewhat to do with producing this
result. but take refuge behind the plea
that If protection has made times bet
| ter 1t has also made prices higher and
| greatly increased the cost of living.
The Boston Herald is among the
free trade newspapers which struggle
hard to find a dark side to the prosper
ity picture. The Herald has been at
| great pains to show that under protec-
ton the cost of living has been largely
increased, and that the principal sta
plies and n~ecessaries are very much
higher than they were a year ago. AS
usual, however, in such attempt TO
make out a case, facts or no facts, g
vast amount of exaggeration and mis-
statement are resorted to.
For example the Herald asserts
that flour is fully So per cent higher
than at the lowest point a year ago."
Inquiry shows that On the date on
which this assertion was made patent
-four was quoted at $3.50 per barrel OF
1876 pounds, against $4.75 a year ago.
an advance of less than l per cent, and
not "55 per cen higher"
The Herald states that "corn is 8
to 10 per cent higher. granulated SUI
gar over II per cent higher
On the day when these false figures
were given to the world corn closed at
| 32.37 cents, against 30.87 cents a year
before; less than 5 and not 10 per cent
higher" and the advance on sugars,
| caused by a tariff of 3-10ths of a cent
| per pound, made necessary by the in
crease. of revenue called for in order
to meet the additional $11, 400 900 OF
annual interest on bonds issued by the
free trade administration to provide
| for deficits in the revenue. is not at
per cent but is Ill per cent on gran
| ulated, 81 on crushed and 1913 per
cent on raw sugar.
"Molasses" is z to 8 per cent higher,
says the Herald.
On that day Porto Rico molasses was
quoted at % cents, the same price as a
year ago.
Pork is over 331a per cent higher"
Mess pork was quoted at 1925,
against $3.50 the previous year.
Mutton is Owe 25 per cent
higher.
Here is some truth, for the price of
mutton sheep has undergone a sharp
advance since the adoption of the tariff
on wool. and the sheep of the
| United States are more than 500, 000,-
4 900 richer in consequence.
Potatoes are more than 100 per cent
higher"
The average Of quotations in the
market was s1.S5. against $1.06 a year
ago, an advance OF IS per cent and not
more than 100 per cent" and the fact
is dishonesty suppressed that the diff
ference Is wholly due to the failure of
the crop.
Apples are more han 100 per cent
higher"
Apples, in fact, average 81. against
$1.03 per barrel a year ago, which Is
not over 100 per cent" but again the
| failure of this crop is dishonesty sup
pressed.
Butter is more than Is per cent
higher"
Best state butter was quoted at 90
which is not more than IS per cent
higher"
Eggs are over 10 per CEN higher"
The best state eggs were quoted at
% cents, against 26 cents a year ago,
which Is lower. and not 'over 10 per
cent higher"
Wool is from 80 per cent to 100 per
cent higher. and the trade in wooden
goods is struggling to get the prices Of
OF wooden cloths up to a par with wool.
Who Is to pay for this increased cost
OF wooden cloths??"
The average Of 100 quotations of do
nestle wool was 2O.73 cents. against
1892 a year ago. which is So per cent
advance. and not from 80 TO 100 per
cent higher Also. the truth is dis
honestly suppressed that wooden cloths
were selling only AL per cent higher
than a year ago. taking the average Of
many representative goods OF standard
grades. and that the cost OF made-up
clothing had moi yet advanced at all.
When the people do pay a higher price
for clothing they will pay it for the
restoration OF work and prosperity to
more than a million people dependent
upon wooden mill operatives. of whom
about a third were Idle a yea ago.
Hides are 40 per cent higher. and
| boot and shoe makers are trying hard
to fet this increased cost out of boots
and shoes. Is this of supreme hene-
| fl to the great majority"
| The average NJ mutations fnr hidas