Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-15
ADVANCE IN PRICES
Wages Go Up to Meet the
Added Expense.
LOCAL CONDITIONS
COST OF LIVING SAID TO HAVE
GREATLY INCREASED.
Higher Figures Quoted on Fuel and on
Everything in the Line
of Food.


men employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company, it Is believed by the representa-
tives Of some of the labor organizations.
was made because of the advance in the
prices of articles of food 1t is taken by
some of them as an indication of what will
be done by some of the other big railroad
systems While 1t Is stated that the will
ingness on part of the company officials to
pay out an additional $4,000, 600 each gear
was probably done for the purpose of pre-
venting the restiveness that has been shown
on other roads. a large part of the increase.
| 1t seems, goes to the 5000 clerks who COM
pose no organization, and who would prob
ably experience trouble In enforcing a de-
mand for an increase.
It is declared by some of the employers
Of labor that the action of the Pennsyl
Vania company was a wise move in the
direction of preventing possible trouble in
the matter of demands for an increase.
On the other hand, the railroad people
claim that the advance is only another
evidence Of the broad and liberal policy OF
the road,
1t is stated that the Baltimore and Ohio
road is one of the several lines which will
soon announce an increase. Since 1900
the wages of the employees of the Baldwin
Locomotive Works has been increased 10
per cent. A representative Of the COM
pany Is reported to have said
1T is true that the cost of living has
largely advanced. This advance has been
recognized by providing our employees with
such an amount Of work and with such ia
cilities for doing that work that they can
make wages enough larger to correspond
with the increase, and, to that extent.
participate In the prosperity Whlch TINS
large amount of work involves"
Advance in Cost of Living.
Local dealers say the statements that
the cost Of living has greatly advanced
cannot be refuted. Not only has coal
scared skyward in price, but almost every
thing in the food line is higher than 1t was
a few years ago. Many articles of country
produce have gone up, it is stated, as wen
as meats, and in fact almost everything
that finds its way to the table. Wearing
apparel is even higher, it is declared.
why has the price of everything IN
creaSed?' inquired the representative or a
local firm. "There has certainly been no
reason for many of the increases. 1t would
be well to institute an investigation to see
just why certain advances have been made.
While l have not given the matter close
attention, 1 have made inquiries along these
lines, and am satisfied that many advances
have been made without any justification"
Dealers in the markets who We're seen by
a Star. reporter said that while there had
been a rise in the prices in general, they
were not dn a position to tell what had
more for their goods now than they did
formerly, they said, and had therefore been
compelled to make a corresponding increase
in figures. With some things, they stated,
there has been an enlarged demand and not
a corresponding increase in the supply.
This condition has naturally caused the
prices to go up. One dealer spoke or the
matter of smoked white fish, which for
merly sold as low as cents each. while
they now bring as much as 10 cents and 70
cents, according to size. These fish, 1t Is
stated are scarce now and the dealers are
unable to get anything like supply equal
to the demand This same. condition, 1t is
stated, also applies to few other articles.
No Reason for Rise in Coal.
Whatever reason there may be for in
creasing the price Of articles of food" said
the representative of the firm already re-
ferred to, there has been absolutely no
reason for the increase In the cost OF coal.
1t is true, of course, that there has been q
shortage Of fuel on account of the strike.
but there is nothing to show that local
dealers have had to pay anything like the
advance they have charged the consum-
ers."
He said there had been great difference
In the treatment Of the consumers on part
of the dealers. Orders which were always
respected by merchants and filed to suit
their convenience. he stated, were in many
instances ignored during the past few
weeks.
A Star reporter inquired Of a number OF
local dealers today concerning the coaI
situation and was told Of prices ranging
from 81 to $12 a ton. The dealer VINO
ouoted anthracite coal at 1875 frankly adj
naitted that he could not fill an order. whiie
a GEORGETOWN dealer said he still had coal
xviii you deliver a ton for the cash?' he
was asked.
s'If can get cart" was his response.
Carts" he said, ARE almost as hard to
get as Is coal"
He said he had g. great many orders fsIed
for Goa. at this price. and is supplying his
stomefs az fast as he can. One dealer Is
half-ton lots to customers At the
rate of xf2 a ton.
It is stated that most Of the dealers are
expecting early shipments Of coal, and most
OF them express the belief that they viii
have enough to supply the trade In the near
future. Very little information OF q posi-
tive character could be obtainea today.