The Washington times., 1902-01-05

Totals ..........101.5S7 1865 72455
''Dun's Review" in commenting on this
showing, says:
1t is to be regretted that the compila-
tion OF prices here given has been quoted
in support of efforts to stir up antagonism
between wage earners and employers. In
this connection the claim has been made
that the remarkable advance in the cost
of living since July l, 1897, was due to
combinations of capital, and that the
manufacturer secured all the difference in
price. while the wage earners were not
earning any more money, although COM
PEELED to pay the advanced quotations for
all things consumed. These statements
are very far from the truth.
Wage Farmers Better Employed
Not only are the wage earners receiv-
ing much better pay than at the earlier
date, but they are well employed. 1t was
this factor, more than any other which
produced the depression that eliminated
on July l. 1897. with prices at the lowest
point in the nations history. The rate of
wages is of trifing Importance when there
is no work. 1t was estimated by labor
experts at the time that 1900 900 men
were unable to find employment This
means that 1900, 600 persons were living
the consumptive demand was reduced 10
the lowest point. At the present time
there is little difficulty in meeting the
higher level of quotations, for there is
full employment, and each man has only
his own family to think of instead of a
host OF unfortunate relatives and friends,
as was the case during the earlier period
Moreover, the suggestion that the
manufacturers and the capitalists are
pocketing all the profits is equally open
to contradiction. These are not the men
who have advanced the number of de-
positS in savings banks to the highest
point on record, nor increased the life
insurance policies to present phenomenal
figures.
Farmers the Chief Bcncficiurics
The farming population receives the
greatest share of enhanced prices, the
rise in breadstuffs falling little short OF
so per cent, while meats rose nearly 30
per cent, and dairy and garden products
10 per cent. Much OF the latter gain is
due 10 the change in season, as eggs.
milk, etc, are all more expensive in win
ter than in midsummer, but this factor
enters into the record and cannot be ig-
nored.
Coming TO the manufactured products.
there is a sudden fall in the percentage
IL per cent. This does not endorse the
statement that the manufacturers are Sc
curing all the advanced cost OF living.
In fact. analysis of the clothing quota
lions in detail makes the showing still
less favorable for the manufacturer.
In manufactures generally the advance
IN the finished article has not by any
means been commensurate with the rise
in material. For instance. hides are 4g5
while leather. the partially manufactured
product, is 40 per cent higher. but boots !
and shoes are actually S3 per cent lower /
in cost TO the consumer than at the I.
earlier date. Woolens alone, of the ar |
ticles covered in the table, show a slight !
ly higher percentage than the material /
which is due to the peculiar depression I
recently felt in the wool market /
Despite the marvellous demand for iron !
and steel products and the existence OF I
the most complete industrial combina- I
tion that ever existed. there appears a /
rise OF but 30 per cent in that class. while
in the miscellaneous division there is a I
gain OF 81 per cent over July !. 1897,
chiefly due TO lumber and building mater
lais. As the laboring man does not as
rule own his home, the greater cost o.
element to him.
h"bof'Ts bebeHt ny Lower 0ents.
OK the other hand, the wage Garner
benefits by lower rents and better ac-
which have followed the in
'rease OF money seeking investment and
fall in interest rates Capi-
aiists who formerly received per cent
'r more on their properties are now
,lad 20 take or ). These facts cannot be
Considered evidence that the few have
capped all the benefits of the marvellous
.dyance OF prices at the expense of the
many.
Ora. Months Advance.
Fluctuations during December we're I'M
Isuslly erratic. although the net altera-
ion was small. Breadstuds made fur !
her sensational advance until the top
oint was touched on December 9, and de-
pitc considerable reaction there was n
et gain in this class OF $50, which is
lightly above the high figure of January
1881
Not HnnaturalIy there was also j fur