The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-02-10
THE COST OF LIVING.
HAS 1T INCREASED IN CONSE-
OUENCE OF NEW TARIFF?
Figures Showing That While the Farmer
Has Obtained Better Prices for His
Products the Expense OF Supporting n
Family Has Not Materially Advanced.

The enemies of protection are not of
one accord in their plan of campaign
| 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 prospect
~ 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 it 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 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
pies and necessaries are very much
higher than they were a year ago. AS
usual, however, in such attempt 10
make out case, facts or no facts, a
vast amount of exaggeration and mis-
statement are reSOrted to.
For example the Herald asserts
that flour is fully 80 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 i per cent, and
not "55 per cent higher"
The Herald states that corn is 8
TO 10 per cent higher, graduated SUI
gar over II per cent higher"
On the day when these false figures
We're given to the world corn closed at
32.37 cents, against 30.S7 cents year
before; less than 5 and not 10 per cent
higher" and the advance on sugars,
caused by tariff of 3-1Oths of a cent
per pound, made necessary by the in
crease of revenue called for in order
to meet the additional $l1 100000 Of
annual interest on bonds issued by the
free trade administration to provide
Tor deficits in the revenue, is not 1T
per cent but is III per cent on gran
ulaIed, 81 on crushed and les per
cent on raw sugar.
I ''Molasses" is 7 to 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 33h per cent higher"
Mess pork was quoted at $S.25,
against $3.50 the previous year.
Mutton is over % 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 owners OF the
United States are more than 500, 000.-
900 richer in consequence.
Potatoes are more than 100 per cent
higher"
The average Of quotations in the
market was Sl.S5, against $1.06 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 than 100 per cent
higher"
Apples, in fact, average 81, against
$l03 per barrel 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 20
which is not more than ia per cent
higher
Eggs are over 10 per cent higher"
The best state eggs were quoted at
90 cents, against 20 cents year ago,
which is lower, and not "over 10 per
cent higher"
Wool is from so 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 par with wool.
Who is to pay for this increased cost
OF wooden cloths:"
The average of 100 quotations of do
nestle wool was 20.73 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